Things Fall Apart Theme

          When I think of books based on foreign countries, specifically Africa, I don’t expect to read about the customs, and cultural beliefs of the countries many villages and societies. I expect to read about the continents struggle under imperialism, slavery, and oppression.  the book ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe, helped change my perspective. It also helped me develop a more clear understanding on how African culture looks like. This is what made this book stand out in my opinion.

          I enjoyed how Chinua Achebe, aside from providing a sociological insight on religion, traditions, and ideals, also provides the psychological effects it has on some of the characters. The thing that I appreciate most out of Achebe’s work, is that it does a very good job defending as well criticizing the the ideals of the village as well as the christian church. For example, it points out the negatives of traditionalism by exposing the barbaric things done to twins, after they are born, and the domestic abuse which occurs to glorify the custom of masculinity in a marital relationship. It also points out the positives, which includes the court system which has changed certain perspectives, on how certain clansmen view the laws. Another positive outlook, is the core motivation of team work, and community that a lot of villagers hold. This can be seen through the law which required the owner of a loose cow which has eaten his neighbours crops to pay a fee.

          As for the Christian church, Achebe does not shy away from making them look bad to the reader, since the first times the Christians were heard of in ‘Things Fall Apart` was when Abame was destroyed. As the story progressed the Christian church became more oppressive, and even resorted to harming, and imprisoning certain clansmen when the church gained additional power in Umuofia. However some good did come from it, when you consider the education system, and the overseas trading routes which formed, helping their economy, and reducing the importance of receiving titles.

          I feel like the overall theme of ‘Things Fall apart’ was: Traditionalism vs. Modernism. I also feel that aside from exploring African culture from the Niger region, Achebe also wanted to explore the pros and cons of these two controversial subjects.