Things Fall Apart: Context: Racism

Set during the Period of Colonialism

‘Things Fall Apart’ is set in the late 19th century, during the initial stages of European colonialism in Africa.
The narrative presents an account of the colonisation of Nigeria, specifically the area inhabited by the Igbo people.
Achebe allows readers to explore the brutal impact of colonialism and the subsequent power struggle and cultural conflicts that ensue.

Portrayal of Racism

Achebe portrays racism as existing in several forms, including cultural superiority, exoticism, and the dehumanisation of Africans.
The portrayal of Africans by European characters follows perceived racist stereotypes of the time. For instance, African culture is referred to as ‘primitive’ and ‘barbaric’ by European characters, embodying their feelings of cultural superiority.
The local people are often portrayed as childlike or savage by the colonial authorities, reflecting the ingrained racism in the colonial ideology.

Achebe’s Critique of ‘Heart of Darkness’

Achebe famously critiqued Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’, branding it as a racist text due to its dehumanising portrayal of Africans.
In ‘Things Fall Apart’, Achebe seeks to counter these derogatory images and provides a vastly different portrayal of Africa, through the depiction of a sophisticated and complex Igbo society.
This counter-narrative presents the audience with the reality of the Igbo society before colonialism, challenging the validity of the racist ideologies of the Colonisers.

The Role of Language in Racism

Achebe shows how language is used as a tool to demean and undermine the Igbo people and their culture.
English is referred to as ‘the language of the white man’, demonstrating how language is seen as an instrument of power and how the colonisers use it to assert dominance.
The refusal of the Europeans to learn the Igbo language further delineates racial and cultural barriers, implying that the Igbo language – and by extension, the Igbo people – are viewed as inferior.

Breaking Stereotypes

Achebe disrupts the racist stereotypes typically projected towards Africa and its people.
He does this by portraying the complexity and richness of the Igbo culture, their profound wisdom, and the well-structured societal organisation that existed before colonial incursion.
Achebe’s portrayal of Igbo society offers an authentic counterpoint to the simplistic, exoticised, racist representations of Africa prevalent in much of Western literature.