Does change destructively reshape the Ibo culture and community in Things Fall Apart?

The idea of change being destructive in the novel Things Fall Apart depends on your perspective, as well as what change you’re talking about. For instance, when the missionaries initially came in, they were led by a very generous and caring man. His actions were far less disruptive because he didn’t engage in conflict with the Igbo people but showed the love and attention. His replacement, however, was much more divisive and disruptive. In either case, though, there was some unrest caused by their arrival and actions.

While change is always disruptive, steps can be taken to prevent it being destructive. In the novel, the arrival of the missionaries ended up being destructive to the Igbo culture. However, if proper steps had been taken (and, clearly if the first missionary had remained in place), the culture could have been preserved while instilling Christianity. As it stands, however, change was very destructive in the end.

Does change destructively reshape the Ibo culture and community in Things Fall Apart?

Achebe examines how the Igbo villagers react to change as the Europeans establish their settlements on the outskirts of Umuofia and gradually begin to convert the villagers to Christianity as their presence becomes more prominent. While some villagers enjoy the new opportunities provided by the Europeans, which include accessing schools, missions, and trading posts, others resent the colonists and attempt to challenge the changing environment.

Okonkwo is vehemently against the changing culture and is depicted as a rigid traditionalist who refuses to compromise with the Europeans and believes that violence is necessary to prevent them completely corroding their traditional Igbo culture. Despite Achebe's negative portrayal of Okonkwo's inflexibility and intolerance, the European colonists do indeed threaten the traditional methods of farming, harvesting, and storytelling, which are cornerstones of the Igbo culture. Achebe illustrates the fragile nature of the Igbo traditional culture in the face of European expansion and depicts how quickly the culture can eradicate. Therefore, one could argue that change is destructive to a certain degree and colonialism does threaten to reshape traditional cultures.

Does Things Fall Apart depict the shaking of Ibo customs by a new culture's intrusion?

The story of Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart takes place in the Nigerian village of Umuofia in the late 1880s, before missionaries and other outsiders have arrived. The Ibo clan practices common tribal traditions—worship of gods, sacrifice, communal living, war, and magic. 

Okonkwo is the main character. He is a strong leader. He rules his household with his strong hand. He looks fierce and walks very heavily. Okonkwo appears ready to pounce on people. His appearance is frightening. People learn to stay out of his way. He beats his wives and children when they get out of line.

Okonkwo practices the traditions of the Ibo culture. He has three wives. He has children by all three wives. He represents the Ibo culture as one of the leaders and is greatly respected by the clan. He is one of the ancestral spirits known as the egwugwu. 

While Okonkwo is banned or exiled for seven years, the white missionaries come into his village and change years of tradition. There is a great clash in cultures. Tradition clashes with change and things begin to change in the village.

Chinua Achebe writes Things Fall Apart to show others the devastation when one's culture is challenged. Achebe shows how the tradition of the Ibo clan disintegrates.

When Okonkwo comes back home, he realizes that things have changed. He wants to fight the white missionaries. When he realizes that his clan will not go to war, Okonkwo feels helpless and he hangs himself. This action causes the clan to wake up and realize what they have lost. They come together to protect their traditions.

The novel is divided into three parts. Part One "depicts life in pre colonial Igboland." Okonkwo practices traditional living and works hard to succeed in the Ibo culture. 

Part Two "relates the arrival of the Europeans and the introduction of Christianity."

Part Three "recounts the beginning of systematic colonial control in eastern Nigeria."

Okonkwo, the protagonist, is a talented but inflexible Igbo who struggles to achieve success in the traditional world.

When Okonkwo realizes just how much his village has changed near the end of the novel, he tries to fight the change. He and others burn a church. Okonkwo is whipped for this action. Therefore, he hangs himself, feeling hopeless.