Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart vividly depicts Africa before the arrival of the colonizers, as well as the way of life, and traditions of the Ibo people. A short novel, which became the debut for Chinua Achebe, dwells on the author’s tribe because he is a native of Ibo, although he was born in a family that has long been converted to Christianity. The main theme of the Things Fall Apart is the confrontation of the old and the new world, and the eternal struggle of traditions with innovations, in which there are no winners.
First of all, the confrontation is expressed between the young and old generations. Okonkwo is the father who embodies the old world and adherence to traditions, while his eldest son Nwoye symbolizes the new world and the enlightenment that the colonizers bring (Achebe 20). The author shows that the traditions of Ibo are cruel and terrible: twins cannot be left alive, they must be thrown into the Forest immediately after birth (Achebe 23). A captive child can be made practically an adopted son and then killed, because the great god wished so (Achebe 26). However, at the same time, the new world is no less cruel than the customs of Ibo.
The lively and very atmospheric novel Things Fall Apart shows the culture and uniqueness of the Ibo people, as well as their destruction by greedy white people. Since civilization came to their land using barbaric methods, punishments and whips, it was no less harsh than the traditions of the indigenous population. Therefore, there is nothing more humane in the struggle between the old and the new world, they are both equally cruel.
Works Cited
Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Penguin Publishing Group, 1994.