Of the many themes that appear in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, individuality versus nationality becomes a central topic as the story progresses and develops. With the invasion and colonization of the European missionaries, Okonkwo’s nationality and contributions to society are called into question. Achebe explains the idea of nationality over individuality by showing that society is the precursor to individuality. Examining the life of the protagonist, Okonkwo, before and after his resistance exemplifies this key idea in Things Fall Apart.
Without society, there would be no individuality. Okonkwo’s characteristics include praise and reputation, which his tribe gives him for throwing the Cat. Achebe explains Okonkwo’s reputation, stating, “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements” (Chapter 1).
While he may have accomplished these acts, society noticed that these actions made him worthy of fame and ultimately formed Okonkwo into the person he is. However, their culture not only creates respect and honor. The Ibo culture acts a source of customs and criticism for its constituents.
For example, in a conversation about other villages, Okonkwo and Obreika’s elder brother examine opposing customs and criticize them because it is not how they normally are taught to trade. They explain, “All their customs are upside-down. They do not decide bride-price as we do, with sticks. They haggle and bargain as if they were buying a goat or cow in the market. That is very bad.” (Chapter 8) This quote exemplifies the prejudice that the society they live in produces. This idea of superiority to others later takes a role in Okonkwo’s life as he visits other cultures and discovers their customs, and even before he resisted the changes in his culture. Okonkwo’s own traditions and customs shape the way that he acts both before and after his resistance to change.
The Research paper on Society and Culture 3
CHAPTER II NATURE AND SCOPE OF SOCIOLOGY OBJECTIVES: • Define sociology. • Discuss the development of sociology. • Identify different methods of sociology. • Give the importance of sociology. Lesson 1. Sociology as Science Sociology • What is Sociology? Sociology is the scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture. The term sociology was ...
When looking at Okonkwo’s life before he resisted society’s expectations, not only is he more successful, but also he is significantly happier. Before his confrontation with culture, he was considered well known, strong, and powerful. Okonkwo’s family was under his control, as the culture expected of him, which allowed him to have less conflicts and issues in his life. At this time, his own customs carried more importance than his own personal needs which resulted in a better life for him. He was able to be a part of society and have unity. However, once he steps away from this life, his life falls apart. When looking at his life before this resistance, it is clear to see that life was better when he was a part of the culture and when he conformed to the expectations of society.
However, when Okonkwo retaliate back against society, there are dire consequences. In his first act of defiance, Okonkwo strikes down his adopted son, Ikemefuna, killing him. Even though the elders instruct him not to do so, or even partake in the killing, Okonkwo meets the consequences of his action with extreme guilt and depression. While this lasts for weeks, Okonkwo’s next act of defiance causes much more severe consequences. He is sent into exile, turning him into what the opposite of what he wished to become, a disgrace like Unoka. His goals of not being his father goes to ruins as he further caters for his personal needs. However, even when returning back to the society from which he was exiled, his personal emotions still get in the way.
When angered at “the white man’s power”, Okonkwo “drew his machete…Okonkwo’s machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body” (Chapter 24) Okonkwo’s rage towards society gets in the way of the conformity that he needs. Killing the messenger, Okonkwo contradicts his traditional customs and the new customs that emerge from colonization. Moreover, in Okonkwo’s last and final stand against conformity is fatal, literally. In Umofian culture, it is explained, “It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offense against the Earth, and a man who commits it will not be buried by his clansmen. His body is evil, and only strangers may touch it.” (Chapter 25) Okonkwo does just this in order to fulfill his own needs, eliminating the hardships that he goes through after resisting society. His expression of individuality leads to his death and the destruction of the respect and reputation that he worked for.
The Research paper on Social Change Within Society and Culture
Culture - Culture refers to the knowledge, ways of thinking, feeling and behaving that give each society its coherence and its distinctive way of life. Culture is demonstrated by the beliefs, customs, values, laws, arts, technology and artefacts people generate and use as the interpret meaning from their world and solves present and future problems. Environment - Every society is located in a ...
Through Okonkwo’s life before and after his resistance to society, Achebe explains the value of nationality over individuality. As Okonkwo’s actions serve as the antithesis of his traditions, his own life gets worse. However, if he were to have followed his traditions, he would not have committed suicide as he did and kept the life he originally led. Therefore, when examining the debate between nationality and individuality, nationality triumphs as the precursor to individuality because of its access to a better life.
