Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe's Term Paper

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Moreover, the unquestioned belief in the oracle's word conflicts with Okonkwo's own needs to solidify his family's political leadership and social standing in the tribe. Okonkwo's desire to redeem himself and his family name proves stronger than his respect for the oracle. Thus, Okonkwo at once seeks to preserve the political institutions of Umuofia culture while at the same time subverting core social and spiritual traditions. He wants to retain his position as political leader and establish his adopted son Ikemefuma as his heir. Yet Okonkwo disrespects social traditions like the Week of Peace and religious traditions like obeying the oracle. Interestingly, the oracle's word proves superior to that of Okonkwo. Achebe suggests that the old tribal ways may in fact bear significant wisdom. Umuofia religious traditions were falling apart even before Christianity infiltrated African society with the European missionaries.

Umuofia social structure is tied together by the dual pillars of religion and politics. Religion offers a moral rubric to guide personal and collective behavior. Rituals like funeral exhibit the rigidity of the Igbo traditions, which present a strict system of rewards and punishments that guide behavior. For example, Okonkwo accidentally kills the son of Ogbeufi Ezeudu. Instead of holding a trial, the community exiles Okonkwo and his family for seven years. Punishments and rewards are meted without much flexibility to maintain social order.

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The encroachment of European culture on Igbo society represents the first major blow to Umuofia mores, lifeways, and norms. In the absence of external influences like colonial society, Umuofia society might have continued unchanged for several centuries more. While in exile, Okonkwo hears of the downfall of neighboring tribes to the colonial powers. Achebe therefore portrays colonialism as the main force of destruction on African society: more so than the personal failings of leaders like Okonkwo.

Achebe describes the development of pre-colonial Igbo society through the eyes of the protagonist. Okonkwo struggles to maintain his family's dignity as well as his own and that of the entire Umuofia clan. In doing so, Okonkwo assists the unraveling of Umufia culture. He subverts age-old social and religious traditions: the very traditions his leadership is cultivated to preserve. Achebe includes vivid imagery related to Umuofia religious and cultural traditions to underscore the differences between indigenous African society and that of the European colonial powers. The problems inherent in Umuofia society that enabled the falling apart of its traditions are also present in European society: inflexible religious, social, and political systems. Achebe demonstrates the development of Igbo society before and during the colonial enterprise, thereby drawing key parallels between the seemingly contradictory social, religious, and political systems......

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