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  • Essay / The depictions of imperialism in “Things Fall Apart” and “Heart of Darkness”

    The depictions of imperialism in Things Fall Apart and Heart of Darkness contrast significantly. As Joseph Conrad describes it as a brutal power deconstructing the people of savages and brutes. Unlike Chinua, Achebe describes imperialism as a savage power deconstructing a refined and aging culture. In things that fall apart, language is an essential component. This gives them a sense of identity and preserves their way of life and heritage. While this was an important factor, it was also their downfall. While they refuse to send their children to class to learn English. While Igbo culture reveres power and virility, Okonkwo's behavior is hyper masculine, appearing unchained. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Okonkwo is known as “a man of action, a man of war” While Umuofia town is adaptable and negotiable. the characteristics that Okonkwo believed were signs of weakness are similar characteristics that were considered by people. For example, despite the fact that Umuofia's laws are clear, people "can adapt their code to accommodate less successful, even effeminate, men, like Okonkwo's father." ", showing Umuofia's resilience where Okonkwo could never recognize such "weakness". Furthermore, where Okonkwo is impervious to change, Umuofia is more open and responsive, as later shown in the Umuofia's response to the evangelists in contrast to that of Okonkwo Making Okonkwo a pariah of Once the missionaries arrived in Umuofia, Okonkwo was absolutely unwilling to negotiate. whom he saw break and crumble, and he wept for the warrior men of Umuofia, who had made him inexplicably gentle like the women.” He views the group's coexistence efforts as concerning and weak in that it does not take an active role in eliminating what it perceives as a threat. When he opposes the messenger, Okonkwo massacres him in hopes of starting a war against the missionaries, but the town rallies against him and asks, "Why did he do this?" » The fall of Igbo culture and the downfall of Okonkwo cannot simply be attributed to his strong belief system and entrenched cultural heritage. The aim of Things Fall Apart is to investigate the flaws of Igbo culture as well as its qualities. Despite the fact that Achebe presents the reader with these flaws which add up to the decimation of his way of life; the main explanation for the downfall of the Igbo was due to their inability and hesitation to learn English, as they believed that they would never need to apply it in their daily lives. Likewise, Westerners were more grounded than the Igbo when it came to respect. Through their advancement in current life and training, they have had a more grounded impact and controlling force. The preachers used hostile methodology to take over the Igbo ruling forces from their people. They did this by spreading their beliefs and destroying the conventional Igbo traditions and beliefs of the people. Thus, the missionaries were particularly superior to the Igbo, as the author explains. Westerners viewed the Igbo as a raw people in need of their help. Despite the fact that the intention of the missionaries entering Umuofia was to care for his loved ones. Because of colonization, the Igbo lost most of the qualities that united them; social intelligibility between the individual and society has.