Things Fall Apart: Context: Cultural Differences

Things Fall Apart: Context - Cultural Differences

European and African Worldviews

The narrative powerfully contrasts European and African worldviews, highlighting the cultural differences that exacerbate conflict.
Achebe presents the pre-colonial Igbo society as having a complex social, political, and religious structures, challenging the European stereotype of African societies as primitive.
The arrival of European missionaries represents the intrusion of a monolithic, imperialistic viewpoint that fails to understand and respect the Igbo way of life.
Through Okonkwo’s lens, the reader gets to experience the initial indifference and later resistance towards the foreign culture.

Respect for Tradition vs Embrace of Change

The Igbo society deeply respects traditions and the wisdom of elders, seen in their religious rituals, marriage practices, and societal hierarchy.
However, Achebe doesn’t romanticise the Igbo society and its traditions, showing instances of injustice and brutality such as Ikemefuna’s death and the mistreatment of twins.
This creates sympathy in the reader towards characters like Nwoye and Ezinma, who are affected by these harsh practices, paving the way for an understanding of why some Igbo would embrace the new religion.
Conversely, the Christian missionaries, while bringing benefits like education, are also depicted as disrespectful towards local traditions and wielding their religion as a tool of control.

Binary Perspectives and their Discontents

“Things Fall Apart” challenges the binary perspective of ‘civilised’ versus ‘savage’. Achebe presents the Igbo as refined and sophisticated in their own unique manner.
Yet the inflexible nature of both societies (Igbo resistance to change and European blind authoritarianism) leads to a disastrous clash of cultures.
Achebe’s nuanced portrayal encourages readers to consider the pitfalls of ethnocentrism and the value of understanding and respecting cultural diversity.

By gaining a deep understanding of these cultural differences and their implications, it adds a layer of complexity when analysing the characters’ motivations, the plot development and the novel’s themes.