Things Fall Apart Civilized Society Essay

Things Fall Apart: Civilized Society

To be civilized is to have structure. A civilized society is one that has rules, consequences, and some level of mutual understanding between the people and (some level of) authority figure that says this needs to be done in order to be a part of said society. Which brings about the notion that yes, the Ibo culture depicted in Things Fall Apart, is a civilized society. Though proving problematic at times, the society is civilized based on the fact that they have rules and consequence, levels of authority, and agreed upon societal norms.

Things Fall Apart Civilized Society Essay

The society in question has a key element to this idea of “civilized” which is possessing rules, and consequences for breaking those rules. Chinua Achebe, author of Things Fall Apart waste no time revealing this. In chapter 4 Okonkwo breaks the week of peace by beating his youngest wife. The week of peace is sacred in Ibo culture and during this time you are supposed to live in peace with your people.

Okonkwo did not do this and was reprimanded by Ezeani, the priest of the earth goddess.He was told to “() bring to the shrine of Ani tomorrow one goat, one hen, a length of cloth, and a hundred cowries.” (pg.31) he had to sacrifice for what he had done. This is just one of many consequences we see throughout the book. The most prominent of them was Okonkwo’s being exiled for 7 long years for a crime he accidently killing a boy.

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In some eyes the consequences to actions are not just or fit for the crime however they do exist and people do as they are told.

The Ibo, like many societies, have levels of authority. The chief of these is God himself but it is believed it is the smaller gods job to his work here on earth. Then there are the “mouths” of these gods such as Ezeani for the Earth Goddess (Ani) and Chielo, the priestess of Agbala. They speak the will of their gods. Lastly there are the elders in the land. These are men of age dignity and honor who have achieved high/many titles. They …