Things Fall Apart: Colonialism's Impact on Igbo Society

Things Fall Apart: Key Conflicts & Character Insights

Clashes in Values: British Courts vs. Igbo Society

The functioning of the British courts created significant clashes with the traditional values of family, unity, and tradition held by the Igbo people. The imposition of foreign laws and customs disrupted the established social order, leading to a breakdown of indigenous customs and threatening to tear the entire society apart.

Why Villagers Welcomed the British

Some villagers, even those not converted to Christianity, welcomed the British primarily because they introduced new opportunities for trade and market access. This economic incentive offered an alternative to traditional systems, appealing to those seeking new avenues for prosperity or those marginalized within the existing Igbo structure.

Reverend Smith vs. Mr. Brown: A Contrast in Approaches

Reverend Smith differed significantly from his predecessor, Mr. Brown. Unlike Brown, who sought to understand and communicate with the Igbo people, Reverend Smith made no effort to properly relate to or comprehend their customs and mindset. His rigid, uncompromising approach fostered fear and resentment.

The Result of Reverend Smith's Black-and-White Thinking

Reverend Smith's rigid, black-and-white thinking led to the Igbo people fearing and despising the white men. They felt demeaned and viewed as inferior, as Smith's intolerance for their traditions created a hostile environment and deepened the cultural divide.

District Commissioner's Motive for Colonization

The District Commissioner stated that the British motive for colonizing Africans was to "correct" what he perceived as the Igbo people's immoral acts. He asserted that the British presence was necessary to civilize them and impose British order, all for the sake of the Queen and the Empire.

Okonkwo's Final Act: Defiance or Despair?

Okonkwo's rash use of his matchet, leading to disaster, can be viewed as an an act born of profound frustration, humiliation, stress, and sorrow that had been building within him. His imprisonment by the British had deeply wounded his pride and ego as a man. While tragic, his act can also be interpreted as a defiant stand, a desperate attempt to defend his people's way of life against an overwhelming colonial force.

The Tragic End: Why Okonkwo Takes His Own Life

Okonkwo ultimately takes his own life because he felt he had failed completely. Everything he had worked on and perfected since adolescence—his status, his family, his community's traditions—was crushed and destroyed by the British colonial presence, leaving Okonkwo utterly broken and without purpose.

Reaction to the Book's Final Paragraph

The novel's final paragraph evokes a strong sense of anger and frustration. The District Commissioner's dismissive view, reducing Okonkwo's tragic end to a mere paragraph in his book on "primitive tribes," is particularly infuriating after reading an entire novel dedicated to Okonkwo's life and the intricate Igbo society. Okonkwo's suicide and the profound grief of his people underscore the devastating impact of British colonialism, suggesting that the Igbo society would be further consumed by the British even if the narrative had continued. Reading Things Fall Apart offered a profound new perspective on African cultures. My deep respect for the order and customs of Igbo society made the District Commissioner's colonial mentality in the final paragraph particularly infuriating.