Colonialism In Things Fall Apart

The Post-Colonial literature that describes what happens to a strong African, Asian once colonist settle in the area. Post Colonial literature considers vexed cultural- political questions of national and ethnic identity, otherness, race, imperialism and language, during and after the colonial periods. The term is applied most often to writings from Africa, The Indian subcontinent, The Caribbean, and other regions whose histories during the 20th century are marked by colonialism anti-colonialism movement to post independence society.

Essay Example on Things Fall Apart And Colonialism

Things Fall Apart is a major work of Post Colonial literature that describes what happens to a strong Nigerian tribe during colonial rule in colonialism offering and insight into African culture that had not been portrayed before, Things Fall Apart is both a tragic and moving story of and individual set in the wider context of the coming of colonialism, as well as a powerful and complex political statement of cross cultural encounters.

“Turning and turning in the widening gyre, The falcon cannot hear the falconer, Things fall apart; the center cannot hold,

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the World.

1” The title “Things Fall Apart” is taken from W. B. Yeats poem ‘The Second Coming’ . The life of an Igbo tribe on the very cusp of the time when the wave of colonization washed over Africa set in Nigeria. The book flows story ‘Okonkwo’, the son of ne’er do well, who is determined not to end up a failure like his father, but wants to follow tradition and rise in rank within the tribe.

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But just as the title predicts, Okonkwo’s plans for a perfect life go astray. Change is inevitable and even the best lead plans to astray.

In the turbulent time settings, Okonkwo is doomed to loose the traditions he cherishes as his society slowly falls apart. The first part of the novel discuss with suffering and sorrows of the natives due to illiteracy. They are far away from modernization and having their own circle of ethic, morality and manners. They live with their tradition, custom, ritual and savage culture. The second part deals with the theme of exploration and exploitations. It expresses the arrival of Europeans in the Africa and exploitation of Europeans in African native Nigro.

The men like Mr. Brown and Mr. James Smith being the rule policy in Umufia. They destroy native African culture by introducing Christianity. The marginal African like Osu & Ibu people are attracted towards Christen religion as a result of that native African culture collapsed in Umufia. Post-Colonial theory thinks about subaltern, Marginal, hybrid people, the other, the untouchables of the whole world. The writers like Edward Said, G. C. Spivak and Homi Bhabha even Chinua Achebe focus the suffering of marginal and expose the cruel imperial rule.

Okonkwo the protagonist feels great insult of his culture and nation, he has fight against British Imperialism and other hand he has to fight against his own people. At a time he is fighting world war and civil war. On both levels he defeated because of cruel power of colonization, imperialism. When realized his helplessness & dominance of imperialism he commits suicide. This Tragic end of Okonkwo doesn’t mean the real defeat- he has expressed his rage, revolt and strong protest towards the British cruel rule in Umufia.

Though he died, he made the reads of the world to think about his commitment. He made the imperialist to do self-introspection & give justice to the natives of Africa. So, the death of Okonkwo is not defeat but freedom fighter; his death is to be considered as a heroic deed. In this way “Things Fall Apart” proves a post-colonial novel. Reference: 1)Things Fall Apart- Chinua Achebe 2)Oxford Literary Dictionary 3)Literay Terms- M. H Abraham 4)English Literature- W. J. Long 5)History of English Literature- Goodman