Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is set in the 1890s and involves the introduction of Imperialism to Nigeria's African tribes. The novel is focused mainly on the Umuofia clan located in lower Nigeria. This clan is linked to nine other villages in the lower Nigerian region. The main character of the story is Okonkwo who is a well respected warrior and also leader of one of the clans in Umuofia. A large contribution to Okonkowo's success is due to his drive to never end up like his father Unoka. Unoka was looked upon as weak and a coward; he borrowed money from clansmen and never repaid his debts. The way Unoka lived contrasted the mold that a clansman of Umuofia is to become. Okonkwo has a twelve year old son named Nwoye and multiple wives. He is also a farmer as well as a family provider. In a settlement with another tribe Okonkwo receives a young girl and a fifteen year old boy na
Positive Consequences of European Imperialism* Raw materials in Africa put to good use* Economy was modernized* Europeans gained more land* Markets opened up for the goods created by the raw materials* Introduction to new technology: steam engine, telegraph, etc. killing a clansman is a serious crime; Okonkwo was forced to take his family into exile for seven years as a punishment. The British took control of India, where they modernized the economy to benefit themselves. Ikemefuna looks to Okonkwo for help but Okonkwo also strikes down the young boy. This brings about the burning down of the reverend's church. Three years into Ikemefuna's stay with a new family Ogbuefi Ezeudu, a respected village elder, informs Okonkwo in private that the Oracle has said that Ikemefuna must be killed. After this, Okonkwo falls into a depression not sleeping or eating much. The clansmen call a meeting when five court messengers approach and order the clansmen to desist. Okonkwo kills their leader with his machete. The Ottoman Empire broke apart, and European powers took some of its lands. Some Africans resisted, but most efforts failed. When the crowd allows the other messengers to escape, Okonkwo realizes that his clan is not willing to go to war. The District Commissioner of the missionaries goes to Okonkwo's house only to see that he has killed himself.
Common topics in this essay:
European Imperialism,
James Smith,
Ogbuefi Ezeudu,
Oracle Ikemefuna,
Nigeria's African,
Ogbuefi Ezeudu's,
Umuofia Okonkwo,
Ottoman Empire,
Unoka Unoka,
District Commissioner,
african tribes,
raw materials,
imperialism *,
europeans gained,
consequences european,
european imperialism *,
consequences european imperialism,
ogbuefi ezeudu,
european imperialism,
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Acceptance Essays
