Analysis of Things Fall Apart Essay

The author of Things Fall Apart shows the complexity of Igbo culture before the arrival of the Christians. The book describes details of the community, family rituals, food preparation, marriage customs, religious beliefs, and the overall social structure. One of the messages in the book seems to be that all cultures believe their culture to be superior to other cultures. When the Christians arrive, they feel that the Ibo people are primitive whereas the Ibo people think that the Christians are foolish and are not a threat.

A strong message throughout the book is the importance of custom and tradition. The Ibo tribe identifies itself through the ancient traditions it practices. Okonkwo's efforts to live up to standards of masculinity that he believes to be true, and his inability to adjust to the changes around him, explain the impact of custom and tradition. One of the traditions mentioned throughout the book was the men sharing of kola nuts and palm wine with the other men. Within this ritual, there were specific customs such as the oldest person taking the first drink.

Another message in the book is that change is inevitable and the story deals with how the possibility and certainty of change affect various individuals. Okonkwo opposes the new Christian ways because he feels that they are not masculine and that he will not be manly if he joins them or allows them to stay. Another motive for Okonkwo's opposition is his fear of losing societal standing. His self-esteem relies upon the traditional standards by which the society that he knows judges him. On the other hand, the outcasts of the clan welcome Christianity since the Ibo cultural values place them below everyone else. In the Christian community, these converts enjoy a more elevated status.

An additional point that shows that change is inevitable is when the clansmen decide to take whatever action is necessary to drive out the Christians. They were willing to kill their own people in order to keep things from changing. Since that is completely against everything that they believed in, it proves that change is inevitable.

One last idea was a sense of betrayal that Onkonkwo feels throughout the story. Onkonkwo feels betrayed and embarrassed by his father, who in his eyes is a failure. He feels betrayed that god has allowed him to produce a son who is by his own definition, feminine. As an adult, his son, Nwoye, joins the Christians. Finally, Okonkwo feels betrayed by his own people. He does not comprehend why the clansmen have not fought against the Christians to preserve their traditions. When Okonkwo returns from exile, his clan is on the verge of falling apart. Many of the tribe's leaders have joined the Christians and tribal customs are not being followed.