The White Man in "Things Fall Apart"

In Achebe's Things Fall Apart, the white man is represented by British missionaries who attempt to convert the Nigerian tribes to Christianity and also alter their culture. Although many tribesmen, such as Okwonko's own son, see them as benevolent men who wish to ensure that they reach heaven, there is also a faction of people who think like Okwonko, in that the missionaries are going to cause the downfall of their tribe. When Okwonko returns Umuofia from exile, he is appalled at the state of his former tribe. Many Umuofia villagers have converted to Christianity and the missionaries have subjected the villagers to the laws of their government. The white man's effect on the Umuofia tribe wasn't entirely negative however. The missionaries have established trading posts and have gotten money to flow in and out of the village. Fed up with the situation, the "egwugwu" of Umuofia decide to burn the missionaries' church. Okwonko and the other leaders of Umuofia are handcuffed and imprisoned for their actions against the white man. When a messenger confronts a meeting among the Umuofia tribe, Okwonko kills him with a machete. Ashamed of his actions and fearing the future of the clan, Okwonko commits suicide.

The white men in Things Fall Apart represent the colonialist ideas and oppressive practices that many British missionaries embodied during this time period. Their attempts to convert the tribesmen to Christianity and enforce their own laws were a result of the "white man's burden" felt by many missionaries at this time period. The missionaries felt it was their duty as members of the white race to save the tribesmen from their "savage" ways and culture. Perhaps what the white men really discovered in Umuofia was Okwonko's unwillingness to change. Whether the missionaries were justified in their actions is up to debate, but what is clear is the fact that Okwonko could never change his ways, even if the majority of his tribe had. This is evident from the crowd's response to his killing of the messenger; the rest of his tribe did not kill the other messengers, but simply allowed them to go. This was indicative of the fact that they had to come to terms with the white man's presence, but Okwonko had not. I believe it was his inability to adapt that ultimately made Okwonko take his life.

An Analysis of Okonkwo in Part One of "Things Fall Apart"

Okonkwo, the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, is a highly respected man in the Umuofia tribe in Nigeria. He has earned his respect through his strength and valor, displaying both these values at all times. Okonkwo represents success and power in his tribe, as he is a famed wrestler and also a successful farmer. The first chapter tells the reader about Okwonko's dad, Unoka, who liked music, was not successful in life, and is seen as weak and soft by Okwonko. Okwonko strives to be the polar opposite of his dad in life and it is because of this that he is successful, aggressive, and emotionally detached. Okwonko firmly believes that his father was a failure in life and is subsequently the complete opposite of him. Throughout part one we get a glimpse into Okwonko's life; he believes in ideals such as violence and masculinity. This is evident from his constant beatings of his wife and children and also from his view of many other men as effeminate. In perhaps one of his most violent moments, Okwonko assists in the murder of his own foster son, Ikemefuna, who he really loved. Throughout part one of Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe portrays Okonkwo as a respected man, but also very violent and emotionally detached. At the end of part one, Okonkwo is exiled from the Umuofia tribe; I wonder if he will maintain his violent qualities or if his lack of respect from the tribe will cause him to become like his father.

Women in "Things Fall Apart"

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe portrays women in a very different light when compared to what most Americans are used to. In America, we constantly hear about gender inequality, but any of our issues pale in comparison to the treatment of women in Nigeria in Things Fall Apart. The tribe in which Okonkwo lives is a polygamous society in which men typically have multiple wives. Throughout part one, Okonkwo beats his wives multiple times, often for stuff as simple as his wife forgetting to come home to cook his meal. At one point Okwonko even almost shoots his wife without a second thought. In general, Okwonko views women in a very negative light. When he is upset after killing Ikemefuna, he asks himself, "When did you become a shivering old woman?". When discussing why he disliked his father, Okwonko typically described him as weak-willed and effeminate, and it is because of this that he strives to be as masculine and powerful as possible. It is evident from his comments on women that Okwonko views them as fragile, second-class citizens whose main role is to cook for the family. Although this thinking is probably prevalent among his entire tribe, this line of thinking is very difficult to get used to as an American like myself who is used to seeing men and women share the same roles and get the same respect.