Things Fall Apart: Context: Colonisation

The Context of Colonisation in Things Fall Apart

Colonialism is the practice of a powerful country extending its influence over weaker regions, often for economic benefits and power. It often leads to the exploitation and suppression of local cultures, traditions and identities.
In the context of Things Fall Apart, the colonising power is Britain, with the novel set in Nigeria during the late 19th century.

A significant theme in the novel is the drastic, often violent, changes brought about by colonialism in Igbo society. These changes mark a turning point in the narrative.
Achebe focuses on the dissolution of the traditional Igbo way of life, including the undermining of religious practices, societal norms, and governance systems.
European colonisers introduce Christianity, leading to a rupture in the community. They establish a new administrative order, enforce their own language and laws, and suppress Igbo culture.

Achebe explores the cultural conflict emanating from colonialism through his characters and their choices. This reflects the broader clash of civilizations between the colonisers and the colonised.
Okonkwo’s resistance to the new order, his inability to adapt, and his consequent downfall symbolise the destruction of the old ways and values.
In contrast, characters like Nwoye and Mr Brown represent adaptation and middle-ground.

The arrival of the colonisers and the subsequent disruptions form the climax of the novel and are decisive factors in Okonkwo’s tragic end, linking the personal with the political.
Achebe portrays colonisation not as an isolated event but as a complex process, deeply tied with destruction, resistance, and change.
Achebe’s depiction of colonisation serves to critique the destructive impact of colonialism on African societies and to counter Western narratives that devalue African cultures.

Achebe uses English, the language of the colonisers, to narrate an African story, which can be seen as a form of linguistic decolonisation.
The integration of Igbo words, proverbs, and songs in the text functions to preserve and value Igbo culture and language.
Achebe also uses the novel to challenge Eurocentric viewpoints and interpretations of African societies during colonial times. He presents his perspective through the lens of the colonised rather than the coloniser, providing a nuanced and richly detailed portrayal of precolonial Igbo society.