things fall apart religion essay

Things Fall Apart

Chinua achebe, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Religion is the main arena where both cultural differences and similarities play out at the end of the novel. Religion represents order in both societies, but they manifest differently. While religion in Umuofia society is based on agriculture, religion is seen as education in the white man's world. As a result, the gods in Umuofia society are more fearsome, since clan members are at the mercy of natural cycles for their livelihood. Mr. Brown , the white missionary, condemns this idea of fearing your god, but in fact the white man's religion takes root using fear tactics as well. When clan members break certain laws or displease the white men, they're locked up, starved, and beaten.

The dialogue between one of the clan leaders of a neighboring tribe, Akunna , and Mr. Brown reveals how much both systems of religion have in common. Akunna agrees, for example, that their wooden carvings of deities are just that—wooden carvings—but he likens it to the figure of Mr. Brown: he's also just a conduit or symbol for the western God. Akunna expresses what the narrator has already suggested—that the Umuofia people only pretend to believe in certain aspects of their religion, such as the masked gods who are really tribe members wearing masks. This dialogue about religion does a lot to carry out Achebe's mission of depicting Nigerian society as one that's far from primitive—depicting it instead as a culture with mythologies and rituals and an understanding of the mythologies behind those rituals. It's also one of the moments when more similarities than differences are stressed between the two cultures.

Religion also returns us to the Yeats poem quoted in the epigraph. The poem uses plenty of ominous Biblical language in describing an apocalyptic scenario, which parallels the situation in the novel where religion is the vehicle for the fall of Umuofia society. Western religion breaks order in the Umuofia society by taking in outcasts and clan members without title and giving them power. By taking power away from the clan's authorities, western religion destroys the clan's old methods of justice and order, creating an apocalyptic scenario for the clan's former way of life.

Religion ThemeTracker

Religion Quotes in Things Fall Apart

And in fairness to Umuofia it should be recorded that it never went to war unless its case was clear and just and was accepted as such by its Oracle – the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves. And there were indeed occasions when the Oracle had forbidden Umuofia to wage a war. If the clan had disobeyed the Oracle they would surely have been beaten, because their dreaded agadi-nwayi would never fight what the Ibo call a fight of blame .

Unoka was an ill-fated man. He had a bad chi or personal god, and evil fortune followed him to the grave, or rather to his death, for he had no grave. He died of the swelling which was an abomination to the earth goddess.

But the Ibo people have a proverb that when a man says yes his chi says yes also. Okonkwo said yes very strongly; so his chi agreed.

Okonkwo did as the priest said. He also took with him a pot of palm-wine. Inwardly, he was repentant. But he was not the man to go about telling his neighbors that he was in error. And so people said he had no respect for the gods of the clan.

It was a crime against the earth goddess to kill a clansman, and a man who committed it must flee from the land. The crime was of two kinds, male and female. Okonkwo had committed the female, because it had been inadvertent. He could return to the clan after seven years…

As soon as the day broke, a large crowd of men from Ezeudu's quarter stormed Okonkwo's compound, dressed in garbs of war. They set fire to his houses, demolished his red walls, killed his animals and destroyed his barn. It was the justice of the earth goddess, and they were merely her messengers. They had no hatred in their hearts again Okonkwo. His greatest friend, Obierika, was among them. They were merely cleansing the land which Okonkwo had polluted with the blood of a clansman.

A man could not rise beyond the destiny of his chi . The saying of the elders was not true—that if a man said yea his chi also affirmed. Here was a man whose chi said nay despite his own affirmation.

“…I forgot to tell you another thing which the Oracle said. It said that other white men were on their way. They were locusts, it said, and that first man was their harbinger sent to explore the terrain. And so they killed him.”

He told them that the true God lived on high and that all men when they died went before Him for judgment. Evil men and all the heathen who in their blindness bowed to wood and stone were thrown into a fire that burned like palm-oil. But good men who worshipped the true God lived forever in His happy kingdom.

But there was a young lad who had been captivated. His name was Nwoye, Okonkwo's first son. It was not the mad logic of the Trinity that captivated him…It was the poetry of the new religion, something felt in the marrow. The hymn about brothers who sat in darkness and in fear seemed to answer a vague and persistent question that haunted his young soul – the question of the twins crying in the bush and the question of Ikemefuna who was killed.

“But I fear for you young people because you do not understand how strong is the bond of kinship…And what is the result? An abominable religion has settled among you. A man can now leave his father and his brothers. He can curse gods of his fathers and his ancestors, like a hunter's dog that suddenly goes mad and turns on his master. I fear for you; I fear for the clan.”

“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has a put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”

One of the greatest crimes a man could commit was to unmask an egwugwu in public, or to say or do anything which might reduce its immortal prestige in the eyes of the uninitiated. And this was what Enoch did.

Religion and Ideology in Things Fall Apart

An exploration of the themes of religion and ideology in ‘Things Fall Apart’. The piece will analyze how Achebe portrays traditional Igbo beliefs and the impact of colonialism and Christianity, discussing the clash of cultures and its consequences. At PapersOwl too, you can discover numerous free essay illustrations related to Chinua Achebe.

How it works

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe begins by introducing the main character of this story, Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a strong and wealthy warrior of the Umofia clan. He was well respected because he was the ideal man of their tribe, in that he was extremely masculine and an extraordinary wrestler. However, he was ignorant when it came to verbal communication. Achebe states, “He was tall and huge, and his bushy eyebrows and wide nose gave him a severe look…He had a slight stammer and whenever he was angry and could not get his words out quickly enough, he would use his fists” (Achebe, p.

3-4). Okonkwo’s lack of communication skills made him the opposite of his father, Unoka. Unoka was a lazy musician who was always borrowing money and did not believe in physical fights (Achebe, p. 3-4).

Okonkwo was extremely focused on maintaining his reputation as the most masculine man as well as the most powerful in the village. One day, Okonkwo was told by a town elder that he had to kill his foster son, whom he had become fond of. To keep his reputation of masculinity, he did as he was told and killed Ikemefuna, pushing himself into a fog of depression (Achebe, p. 61-62). Time passed and one of Okonkwo’s friends, Ogbuefi Ezeudu, died (Achebe, p. 121). At the ceremony of his death, all the warriors had their guns, and Okonkwo’s mistakenly fired, hitting and killing a young boy (Achebe, p. 124). As a punishment, to keep the peace with nature, Okonkwo and his family are exiled to Mbanta for seven years (Achebe, p.124). While there, he rebuilds a farm in Mbanta, but he is less enthusiastic, especially after hail storms came and ruined his crops (Achebe, p. 130). After the seven years, Okonkwo and his family returned to Sofia, he was surprised to see a group of white men had moved in and been teaching their religion, Christianity (Achebe, p. 144). Okonkwo was infuriated and tried to get the rest of their clan to run them out of the village. However, many members of the clan liked the white men and began believing in their religion. Okonkwo began to see that he was losing control of his village to the missionaries. As a result of his loss of control and his stubborn personality, Okonkwo committed suicide by hanging himself (Achebe, p. 208).

In the following essay, I will call attention to the treatment of the environment in Things Fall Apart. I will argue that based off of Chinua Achebe’s novel, there is a correlation between the peace of the people and the peace of the environment. First, I will discuss and summarize the article written by Senayon Olaoluwa called Ecocriticism beyond Animist Intimations in Things Fall Apart. Second, I will put forth my argument stating there was a correlation of peace between people and nature in Things Fall Apart, using examples from the article as well as the primary source. Finally, I will provide a conclusion of everything previously stated.

Senayan Olaoluwa’s work, Ecocriticism beyond Animist Intimations in Things Fall Apart, is only one chapter out of an entire book called Ecocriticism of the Global South. Ecocriticism is a “field of literary study that considers the relationship that human beings have to the environment” (What Is Ecocriticism?, n.d.). In his work, Olaoluwa follows the definition and writes about ecological aspects throughout Chinua Achebe’s work Things Fall Apart. In fact, Olaoluwa’s thesis statement is the following, “This chapter explores the various layers of ecological concerns that find articulation in the text” (Olaoluwa, p. 197). The environment is a key role in many lives of Africans today, as well as at the time of Achebe. In fact, many Africans practice animism which, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as “attribution of conscious life to objects in and phenomena of nature or to inanimate objects” (Animism, n.d.). Olaoluwa states, “Today there are various forms of research devoted to the reduction of noise in our environment in to mitigate its impact on atmospheric pollution, and it is in this very sense that the epistemic wisdom of Umofia displays a sophisticated form of environmental awareness” (Olaoluwa, p. 202). This indicates that the characters in Achebe’s work take the integrity of the environment seriously, care for it and show “environmental awareness.”

Many Africans believe in animism and in keeping peace with the earth and ecological equality. Olaoluwa included a few examples of when the environment was affected as a result of the disruption. For example, Olaoluwa states that the Week of Peace from Things Fall Apart, is a week-long, sacred event in which utter peace and harmony is required. A disturbance of the Week of Peace was the first aspect that lead to basis of Okonkwo’s unfortunate life (Olaoluwa, p. 203). Finally, Olaoluwa discussed the irreversible disruption that colonialism caused the economy. He stated, “The consequence of the miscarriage of social justice by the emerging colonial power has produced a situation of human death and displacement in the same sense it has resulted in a miscarriage of ecological justice, resulting in the depletion of biodiversity conservation” (Olaoluwa, p. 208). This statement emphasizes the topic that Olaoluwa was presenting about, that the action of social injustices resulting in human death and/or displacement.

Overall, I agree with what Olaoluwa is arguing in their work. There seems to be a correlation between the peace of the people and ecological peace. When the people are at peace, Mother Nature is at peace. However, when people no longer keep the peace, whether it is with anger or aggression, the environment is affected by it. For example, when Okonkwo is exiled to Mbanta he began rebuilding a farm, however, he was not as enthusiastic because he was in a new village and did not have as much power as he did in Umofia. Shortly after starting to rebuild his farm, a hail storm struck, which could be a result of his lack of enthusiasm (Achebe, p. 130). Another example that indicates a correlation was when Okonkwo’s gun accidentally fired and killed the young boy, he had to flee the village in order to keep the peace with gods. “The only course open to Okonkwo was to flee from the clan. It was a crime against the earth goddess to kill a clansman, and a man who committed it must flee from the land” (Achebe, p. 124).

The next argument that Olaoluwa discussed, however, is one that I do not agree with. On page 207, Olaoluwa states, “In other words, while the African construal of sacred spaces enhances biodiversity conservation through forestation, Christian sacralization of space in Mbanta translates into deforestation and biodiversity depletion” (Olaoluwa). In this passage, Olaoluwa implies that the Christians that enter into Mbanta are the sole cause for biodiversity depletion. However, it is not necessarily only the Christians that are entering in, it could be other ways that the natives are living. Previously in his work, Olaoluwa states that disturbing the peace could be a reason for detrimental things happening in nature. This could mean that when the Christians entered Mbanta, the natives became upset, which disturbed the peace, resulting in deforestation and biodiversity depletion.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, is a story about a strong warrior named Okonkwo and his life and struggles that he endures. Achebe not only includes aspects regarding Okonkwo, but he wrote about the environment and nature as well. He wrote about the animism that the Africans practiced. He introduced tribal rituals and customs that do or do not incorporate the environment. Senayon Olaoluwa’s article, Ecocriticism beyond Animist Intimations in Things Fall Apart, focuses on deeper ecocriticism than the only animism that is portrayed in Achebe’s novel. For example, he discusses the correlation between the peace of mankind and the peace of the environment. Next, he deeply focusses on the post-colonial ecocriticism that affected the villages. Overall, Olaoluwa’s concepts that he portrayed were agreeable. Based on Achebe’s novel, there does seem to be a correlation between man’s peace and environmental peace. However, Olaoluwa seems to pin a large portion of blame only on the missionaries that are colonizing Africa. Though the missionaries did invade the area, they may not have been the main cause of the devastation of the environment.  

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Things Fall Apart — Nwoye’s Transformation: Religion and Identity in “Things Fall Apart”

Nwoye's Transformation: Religion and Identity in "Things Fall Apart"

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How does Chinua Achebe use the concept of religion in Things Fall Apart

Table of Contents

Chinua Achebe’s  novel “Things Fall Apart” explores the profound impact of religion on individual lives and traditional societies. Set in pre-colonial Nigeria, the novel delves into the clash between the indigenous Igbo culture and the encroaching influence of Christianity. 

Chinua Achebe concept religion in Things Fall Apart:- Achebe skillfully examines the multifaceted role of religion, portraying it as a source of solace, social cohesion, and control, as well as a catalyst for conflict and societal disruption. This essay will analyze how Achebe employs the concept of religion to explore the complex dynamics of cultural change, personal identity, and the disintegration of traditional values in “Things Fall Apart.”

Traditional Igbo Religion: Foundation and Significance

In “Things Fall Apart,” Achebe presents the traditional Igbo religion as a fundamental aspect of Igbo society. The Igbo religion is characterized by a polytheistic belief system, with various gods and spirits governing different aspects of life. 

Chinua Achebe concept religion in Things Fall Apart:- Achebe vividly depicts the rituals, customs, and beliefs of the Igbo people, emphasizing the importance of communal worship, ancestral reverence, and the connection between the living and the spiritual realm. The traditional religion serves as the backbone of the community, providing a moral framework, explaining natural phenomena, and guiding individual actions.

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The Arrival of Christianity: Clash of Belief Systems

The introduction of Christianity by European missionaries disrupts the equilibrium of the Igbo society in “Things Fall Apart.” Achebe portrays the clash between the traditional Igbo religion and Christianity as a clash of belief systems, as well as a clash of cultures. 

Chinua Achebe concept religion in Things Fall Apart:- The arrival of Christianity brings unfamiliar concepts such as monotheism, sin, and salvation, challenging the traditional Igbo worldview. The conflict between the two religions creates tension and divisions within the community, leading to internal strife and loss of cultural cohesion.

Religion as a Tool for Control and Power

Achebe highlights how religion, both traditional and Christian, can be wielded as a means of control and power. In the Igbo society, religious figures, such as the priestess Chielo and the egwugwu masked spirits, hold significant influence and serve as intermediaries between the human and spirit realms. They enforce religious laws, maintain social order, and mediate conflicts. 

Chinua Achebe concept religion in Things Fall Apart:- Similarly, the Christian missionaries exploit the vulnerability of the Igbo people by offering them an alternative belief system. They use religion to gain converts, establish authority, and undermine the traditional Igbo religious practices.

The Personal and Cultural Impact of Religious Conversion

Achebe delves into the personal and cultural consequences of religious conversion in “Things Fall Apart.” The protagonist, Okonkwo, embodies the internal conflict faced by individuals torn between their traditional beliefs and the allure of Christianity. Okonkwo’s son, Nwoye, undergoes a profound transformation as he converts to Christianity, seeking solace and a sense of belonging in the new religion. 

Chinua Achebe concept religion in Things Fall Apart:- Achebe depicts the complex emotions and dilemmas experienced by those who abandon their ancestral customs and embrace a foreign faith. The conversion of individuals like Nwoye reflects the erosion of traditional values and the disintegration of the community.

Religion as a Catalyst for Conflict and Disintegration

Religion becomes a catalyst for conflict and societal disintegration in “Things Fall Apart.” The clash between the traditional Igbo religion and Christianity exacerbates existing tensions and leads to fractures within the community. The conversion of some Igbo people breeds suspicion, resentment, and division among families and clans. As Christianity gains influence, it serves as a tool of colonization and facilitates the imposition of European values and authority, leading to the erosion.

Critical SA of Things Fall Apart

One of the critical social aspects explored in Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart” is the impact of colonialism on African society. The story is set in Nigeria during the late 19th century, a time when European powers were expanding their influence and colonizing various parts of Africa.

Chinua Achebe concept religion in Things Fall Apart:- Achebe portrays the arrival of the white missionaries and the subsequent colonization as a significant turning point in Igbo society. The protagonist, Okonkwo, represents the traditional Igbo values and way of life, which are gradually eroded and disrupted by the presence of the colonizers. Here are some key points regarding the critical social aspects in the novel:

• Clash of cultures: The clash between the Igbo culture and the culture brought by the Europeans is a central theme in the novel. The Igbo society, with its rich traditions, social structures, and religious beliefs, is challenged by the new beliefs and practices introduced by the missionaries. This clash creates tension and ultimately leads to the disintegration of traditional Igbo customs.
• Loss of identity: With the arrival of the colonizers, many Igbo people begin to question and abandon their own cultural identity. Some embrace the new religion and ways of the colonizers, while others are coerced or manipulated into doing so. This loss of cultural identity and the erosion of traditional practices contribute to a sense of disorientation and confusion among the Igbo people.
• Exploitation and oppression: The novel depicts the exploitative nature of colonialism, as the Europeans exploit the resources and labor of the African people for their own economic gain. The colonizers impose their authority and establish a system that marginalizes and oppresses the indigenous population. This is exemplified through the imposition of new laws, taxation, and the introduction of a hierarchical system that benefits the colonizers at the expense of the local communities.
• Resistance and resilience: Despite the overwhelming impact of colonialism, “Things Fall Apart” also highlights the resilience and resistance of certain individuals and communities. Characters like Okonkwo, who initially opposes the influence of the colonizers, and the Igbo community’s collective efforts to resist the encroachment of the Europeans, showcase the determination to protect their cultural heritage and maintain their autonomy.

Chinua Achebe concept religion in Things Fall Apart:- By critically examining the social aspects of colonialism and its consequences, Achebe’s novel offers a powerful commentary on the devastating effects of external domination on indigenous cultures and societies. It prompts readers to reflect on the complex dynamics of power, identity, and cultural resilience in the face of colonial oppression.

Q: What is the significance of religion in “Things Fall Apart”?

A: Religion plays a significant role in “Things Fall Apart” as it reflects the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the Igbo society. It serves as a foundation for moral values, provides explanations for natural phenomena, and guides individual actions. The clash between the traditional Igbo religion and Christianity highlights the impact of religious conversion on personal identity and cultural dynamics, leading to conflict and societal disruption.

Q: How does Chinua Achebe portray the traditional Igbo religion in the novel?

A: Chinua Achebe portrays the traditional Igbo religion as a vital aspect of Igbo society, emphasizing its rituals, customs, and beliefs. He depicts communal worship, ancestral reverence, and the connection between the living and the spiritual realm. Through the portrayal of the traditional religion, Achebe highlights the importance of community cohesion and the moral framework it provides for the Igbo people.

Q: How does the arrival of Christianity affect the Igbo society in “Things Fall Apart”?

A: The arrival of Christianity in “Things Fall Apart” disrupts the traditional Igbo society. It introduces new beliefs, such as monotheism and the concept of sin, which challenge the Igbo worldview. The clash between the two religions creates tension, divisions, and conflict within the community. Christianity is used as a tool for colonization and leads to the erosion of traditional values and cultural disintegration.

Q: How does religious conversion impact the characters in the novel?

A: Religious conversion has a profound impact on the characters in “Things Fall Apart.” It becomes a catalyst for internal conflict and personal transformation. Characters like Nwoye undergo a significant change as they embrace Christianity, seeking solace and a sense of belonging in the new faith. Religious conversion leads to fractures within families and clans, as individuals are torn between their traditional beliefs and the allure of the foreign religion.

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Things Fall Apart: Theme & Key Quotes: Religion

Things fall apart: theme & key quotes: religion, theme: religion, introduction.

• Religion is a prominent theme in “Things Fall Apart” and plays a significant role in shaping the lives of characters in Umuofia.
• The introduction of Christianity undermines traditional religious practices and beliefs and sets the stage for cultural clash.

Ibo Religion

• Ibo religion is polytheistic, rooted in nature and ancestor worship. It guides laws, morality, and societal organisation.
• Fearful and respectful of their deities, the Ibo people take direction from an oracle and adhere to religious rituals.
• Chielo, the oracle of the goddess Agbala , is a trusted figure in society who has spiritual insights and can communicate with spirits.
• An example quote is, “Beware, Okonkwo!” [Chielo] warned. “Beware of exchanging words with Agbala. Does a man speak when a god speaks? Beware!”

Christian Religion

• The coming of the white missionaries introduces Christianity, and it deeply divides Umuofia.
• Mr. Brown , one of the missionaries, presents a more tolerant form of Christianity, open to dialogue, earning the respect of prominent clan members.
• Contrastingly Reverend Smith is uncompromising, ignoring indigenous religious practices and causing more conflict.
• Mr Brown’s respect for the Ibo culture is visible when “he trod softly on its faith” , while Mr Smith “saw things as black and white. And black was evil.”

Points of Conflict

• Christian denial of all gods but their own creates tension, for instance, the conversion of Okonkwo’s son Nwoye , which deepens the divide between him and his father.
• The disrespect for the Egwugwu, masked individuals representing ancestral spirits, by Enoch, culminates in a climatic clash.
• The quote “He [Enoch] has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart” signifies how religion, central to societal unity, can also be cause for its disintegration.

Influence on Characters

• The new religion provides refuge for individuals marginalized in Ibo society, such as the osu (outcasts) and beaten wives.
• Nwoye, disillusioned with Ibo religion due to events like Ikemefuna’s death, finds comfort in Christian teachings.
• Okonkwo’s refusal to adapt leads to his tragic end.

Key Takeaways

• Things Fall Apart presents the theme of religion not as a black-and-white battle between good and bad, but as a complex intersection of values, customs, and personal choices.
• Religion, while being a binding force in society, can also be a veiled force of division, coercion, and cultural imperialism.