Things Fall Apart Group

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fattyo9
fattyo9
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In Things Fall Apart, what were the effects of colonialism on the region?

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Posted by fattyo9 on Monday October 12, 2009 at 6:03 PM and tagged with analysis, colonialism, things fall apart.

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  1. kimfuji Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, is a novel about Nigeria in the 19th century before colonialism. It is a tale about  a great westler and elder. Itis not until the novel's end that the reader learns about colonialism.This novel is really a display of one author's opinion of what happens when colonialism enters a culture--things fall apart. The tale is really Okonkwo's story and shows how he became well known however he was stubborn which was always a problem. As a result, a stray bullet from his gun fatally killed someone. He was exiled, along with his family, for 7 years. When he returned everything had changed.

    This is a common occurance in countries where colonialism takes over the culture; people return to their homeland to find out that they no longer recognize the place and they are no longer accepted there.  (See the Inheritance of Loss in Enotes which also related to colonialism in India)




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    Posted by kimfuji on Monday October 12, 2009 at 7:12 PM


  2. egraham17 Teacher

    eNotes Editor

    Essentially, the impact of colonization is to break apart the Ibo societal structure. In some ways, this has negative effects: traditions are destroyed, and those who follow Ibo law are suddenly subject to British punishment. Many villagers die or remain in jail because of their adherence to their own rituals and traditions, rather than the recently imposed British structure. Religious conflict is brutal, and both villagers and missionaries die because of their inability to adapt to change.  Okonkwo demonstrates the worst that could happen to someone who is unable to transform when history forces change. His aggressive stance toward the missionaries brings about his own destruction.

    There are some positive effects of this interaction however. The Christian missionaries bring a kindness and acceptance that many villagers do not know. The practices of leaving twins to die, or turning out "undesirables" are abhorred by the the missionaries, and many women and disenfranchised members of the tribe find a place within the structure of the church.

     

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/things-fall-apart/themes

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    Posted by egraham17 on Monday October 12, 2009 at 8:14 PM