Chinua Achebe does the opposite in the representation of the African community. Building, a clear and concise representation of their daily lives and customs that differentiate them from many ethnic races. Representing, their qualities and valuable aspects that make them their own kind of civilization with their own norms and customs to follow. Constructing a portrayal of the native Africans own structured society.
The novel “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe focuses mainly on Okonkwo that main character of the novel. His portrayal is of the many qualities he has gained during time. Which are strength, masculinity, respect and wealth. Gaining, fame through his “rested on solid personal achievements” (Achebe 3). Earning the respect and becoming one of the influential leaders of the Umuofia clans. The portrayal of Okonkwo various achievements and way of living his daily life, demonstrate the kind of civilized life a native African lives. Differentiating, the perspective of ideas built off the colonialism that was beginning to exist in Africa. Okonkwo based his objectives on “Unoka that was his father’s name had died ten years ago” (Achebe 4). Being a portrayal of the person, Okonkwo did not want to become he struggled day by day to succeed in life. Since Unoka had always been a failure and “Succeeded in borrowing more, and piling up his debts” (Achebe 5). Weakening his reputation and causing harm to Okonkwo in the future. Due to these actions done by Okonkwo’s father, he struggles to become someone in life. Building, a personality of being a hard-hearted person that weakness cannot overcome him. Having, the reputation of being “as a young men of eighteen he had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat” (Achebe 3). Do, to the despise he had against his father, “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand” (Achebe 13). Representing the manliness and strength he had towards his family. Imposing his power over them and gaining the feeling that he had not failed in life. Violence was the way in which he represented his masculinity as a man and his strength. Using it to settle whichever problem there was, like the misbehaving of one of his wives “that he beat her very heavily” (Achebe 29) to the cause that she had not prepared the meal for him. Ignoring the fact that it was a sacred week and this made him seem as if he “has no respect for their gods and ancestors” (Achebe 30). Analyzing that his violent ways of handling significant things proved him to be full of hate and remorse against the life he lived while young and by using violence he could prevent that returning to his future life. Being that Okonkwo violent behavior has him exiled from the clan and also is a major contributor to the ending of his life. Violence to Okonkwo is a way to assure his position and the respect he deserves. Since this is the way he gained his fame. Though throughout this violence that assures him strength, he encounters many obstacles that bring many changes that in a way affect him. This same violence provokes the seven year exile from his clan. Due …show more content…
The culture of the Umuofia is a very distinct one from the one we are well aware of, ours. Causing some misunderstanding and judging them as uncivilized human beings. Something that is completely wrong. In the novel, Achebe states that they are a society built on norms and customs just like any other. The only thing that we need to do is have our minds open to anything. In the nineteenth century, when this book takes place, colonialism was occurring in these parts of the world. And the imperialism was becoming a great force that was breaking these clans. Causing disharmony between the two races and building of new perspectives of each other. Disrupting communities of clans that have many other members leave them in the thinking that the colonial ideas are the right ones and leaving behind the culture they grew up knowing. Where, a war that the Europeans started and pushed the Africans into since they were taking over their land and territory
The novel “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe focuses mainly on Okonkwo that main character of the novel. His portrayal is of the many qualities he has gained during time. Which are strength, masculinity, respect and wealth. Gaining, fame through his “rested on solid personal achievements” (Achebe 3). Earning the respect and becoming one of the influential leaders of the Umuofia clans. The portrayal of Okonkwo various achievements and way of living his daily life, demonstrate the kind of civilized life a native African lives. Differentiating, the perspective of ideas built off the colonialism that was beginning to exist in Africa. Okonkwo based his objectives on “Unoka that was his father’s name had died ten years ago” (Achebe 4). Being a portrayal of the person, Okonkwo did not want to become he struggled day by day to succeed in life. Since Unoka had always been a failure and “Succeeded in borrowing more, and piling up his debts” (Achebe 5). Weakening his reputation and causing harm to Okonkwo in the future. Due to these actions done by Okonkwo’s father, he struggles to become someone in life. Building, a personality of being a hard-hearted person that weakness cannot overcome him. Having, the reputation of being “as a young men of eighteen he had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat” (Achebe 3). Do, to the despise he had against his father, “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand” (Achebe 13). Representing the manliness and strength he had towards his family. Imposing his power over them and gaining the feeling that he had not failed in life. Violence was the way in which he represented his masculinity as a man and his strength. Using it to settle whichever problem there was, like the misbehaving of one of his wives “that he beat her very heavily” (Achebe 29) to the cause that she had not prepared the meal for him. Ignoring the fact that it was a sacred week and this made him seem as if he “has no respect for their gods and ancestors” (Achebe 30). Analyzing that his violent ways of handling significant things proved him to be full of hate and remorse against the life he lived while young and by using violence he could prevent that returning to his future life. Being that Okonkwo violent behavior has him exiled from the clan and also is a major contributor to the ending of his life. Violence to Okonkwo is a way to assure his position and the respect he deserves. Since this is the way he gained his fame. Though throughout this violence that assures him strength, he encounters many obstacles that bring many changes that in a way affect him. This same violence provokes the seven year exile from his clan. Due …show more content…
The culture of the Umuofia is a very distinct one from the one we are well aware of, ours. Causing some misunderstanding and judging them as uncivilized human beings. Something that is completely wrong. In the novel, Achebe states that they are a society built on norms and customs just like any other. The only thing that we need to do is have our minds open to anything. In the nineteenth century, when this book takes place, colonialism was occurring in these parts of the world. And the imperialism was becoming a great force that was breaking these clans. Causing disharmony between the two races and building of new perspectives of each other. Disrupting communities of clans that have many other members leave them in the thinking that the colonial ideas are the right ones and leaving behind the culture they grew up knowing. Where, a war that the Europeans started and pushed the Africans into since they were taking over their land and territory