Michael Bennett
Ms. Reeves
ANT 220
22 November 2011
Things Fall Apart
An analysis of “things Fall Apart” speaks on the cultural challenges, tradition and difference of the Umuofia people of lower Nigeria in the 1890’s. I selected to read this book because of my interest in different cultures located in Africa. I felt that knowing and reading about the people of the lower Nigeria gave me a sense of how their culture and ways of life are so different but similar to my way of life. I realize through reading this book, no matter how different cultures are men must obey and respect the laws of the land and if not followed consequences and punishment was to be implemented. I also learned that my thoughts about family were similar to the main character Okonkwo family were a man is suppose to be the provider for his family at all cost.
In reading this book I become intrigued about the culture of the main character Okonkwo. What impressed me most is the way he became a pillar in his community. The women and the respected man what was feared and misunderstood both in his communist as well as the other nine villages surrounding him.
First how did Okonkwo become the man he was, a stranger and extraordinary person. He was born to tribesman home Unoka. Okonkwo was embarrassed by his father because he appeared weak and lazy. And because of how he felt about his father, he wanted to prove to the clan that he wasn’t like that. He learned early on in life how to work hard he started planting and farming yams early on his life. He was very ambitious. When he made up his mind to do something he did it. He wanted to the clan he was not like his father who possibly contributed to his wealthy and process life. He wanted the clan the clans to know he wasn’t like his father. Okonkwo was stranger and different than most of the men in his tribe. He was what we would consider today as “hardcore” not giving and inch to anything or anyone. For example, he would beat his wives and children if they made the smallest mistake. He once beat his wife severely because dinner was late. As with most American cultures that does not merit a beating. Okonkwo does not consider women as an equal. Whereas in America we consider everybody equal. Other times that confused me about the Umuofia culture was the way they solve issues. Another example is when one tribesman was murdered at the market there was no trail. The village people wnet to the other village where the criminal was staying took one of their members a young boy name Ikemefuna and kept him for three years. Okonkwo raised him as his own son in which he already had a son named Nwoye by one of his three wives. But at the end of three years Okonkwo assisted in the killing of Ikemefuna. That was shocking to me. As with most American culture that type of behavior would not have been permitted knowingly. Out of most things I read in this book, that incident would probably remain in my mind the most. It is unforgettably. These types of behavior make me question Okonkwo characters. I also believe that because of his character he appears masculine, strong, and respected by all in his community. His culture focus on strength and endurance that is what I like most about the Nigerian culture. I learned through reading this story a man’s’ worth is important to him and especially others.
As time goes on in this story the clan becomes divided due to some of the cautions taken by Okonkwo. His beliefs are questioned. For example the conflict between the Umuofia clan and the Caucasian race. Okonkwo does not want to accept the culture of this race and replace his own values. He feels that his power and respect would be taken away from him if he accepts change. This occurs after he becomes exiled from the villagers after killing one of the tribesmen. Okonkwo does not won’t to change, this builds a wedge between him and his follow tribesmen. To him this makes the clan appear weak. He is wondering how his people could give up their way of life and culture after all these years therefore making their culture lost forever. Okonkwo was so dishearten about this it cause him to murder one of the messengers who came to his country to convert the tribes to worship only one God. Okonkwo was very disturbed about the “white” culture the way they prayed and worshiped. He had a difficult time relating to their traditions, their ways of showing strength and also the language barrier created problems for him, without it, he felt less than a man. Therefore not being able to adjust to a different culture caused him to become angered and alone. Because of his displacement he committed suicide. Although he felt the culture of his clan was lost, it was redeemed. You ask how; it was redeemed at his death. When he hung himself his tribesmen where not allowed to touch his body and give him a proper burial. One could say he got the last say of whether his culture still lives on ended with his life.
In conclusion, I chose the story “Things Fall Apart” because of the rich culture and belief the Nigerian culture stands for. The Umuofia people stood for strength, courage, respect, and wealth. Their rich culture whether understood or misunderstood revealed to me first how clans supported one another. Secondly how tradition and doctrine can bring families close or further apart. Thirdly how symbols such as locust, fire, drums the “whole” outsides, invading the Africans, destruction of a man and togetherness and unity of people especially the Nigerians. In retrospect this story exposes so many cultures and traditions that can either keep a nation, town, or community together or pull it apart. This story I believe portrays both that’s why it’s called “Things Fall Apart”
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