Things Fall Apart - Context
Achebe chooses to set his novel prior to and during the arrival of the colonial administration (in the context of the story - the white man, a missionary who came to preach Christianity). Achebe wanted to emphasize the complexity of Nigerian culture and African culture in general. Initially, Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart has a response to the way Africans were being depicted within Western Literature. By choosing to set the novel prior to the arrival of the colonial administration, Achebe is able to present his readers with the strengths of the Igbo people. The novel talks about how they celebrate festivals, how they worship their god, practice their rituals and ceremonies. It really emphasizes the community aspect within the Igbo community; replacing and changing the previous views that other people had on African culture due to Western literature.
Then, by setting the book during the colonization administration. He emphasized how colonialism affected an entire culture. He showed how the coming of the white man, stopped the Igbo people from practicing their culture, how it brought both negative and positive aspects to the Igbo tribe; by showing the readers the effects of European colonialism through the lens of and Africans perspective.
Looking at an answer to this question from another point of view, we can assume that Achebe chooses to set his story during these two distinct times in order to understand and explore his own hybrid identity. Achene is from the Igbo tribe as well as a Christian; therefore he and his family were all influenced by the western colonialists that 'invaded' their village. By writing part of the story before colonialization, he is reaching into the Igbo side of his identity as he recalls the events, the culture, the worship, and their practices. He shows that to his readers as well. By writing the last half of the story during colonization and ending the story as such, Acebe is looking into the effects of colonization on the Igbo people, he approached both sides, the negatives that came with the white man, as well as positive as he is currently a proud Christian (the religion of the colonizers).
In addition to exposing the complexity of African people and communities, we can say that Achebe was part of a greater cause, gaining Nigeria Independence. By bringing Nigerian culture, Nigerian people and their stories into the world of English literature, Achebe is giving his people a voice. He's giving readers of English literature, a chance to look at the same stories they've been hearing about African cultures from another point of view, the point of view of an African. It empowered other African authors to come out, resulting in more authentic and real stories about African people to blossom, replacing the stories of African savages and African poverty.
Understanding the context of Things Fall Apart is important in understanding the purpose and message that the story is trying to portray. TFA requires the understanding of two important contexts, the history of Nigeria and the Igbo people portrayed in the story, as well as Europe's history, especially during the Scramble for Africa, and Britians colonization of The territories that are now called Nigeria.
There was a lot of context and connections to real-life situations and experiences that Achebe referenced and used when producing this novel.
The first part of the story depicts a very civil and organized society. The way the soial structure works is all set up, and people understand and obey the laws of their faith and culture peacefully. It is with the arrival of the colonizers with other Africans from far and wide, that the structure starts falling apart and just like Umofia in the story - confusion and division spreads among the people.
The story of Ahiara and Abame.
Ahiara, one of many towns that are destroyed for resistance and defiance against the white man. November 16, 1905, is when J.F.Stewart was traveling by bike and unfortunately got himself killed. A month later, soldiers arrived slaughtering the villagers, guns were confiscated and the town was burnt down. This story is directly referenced in Achebe's TFA, as a fictional village called Abame. Abame was Achebe's example of what happened when the village did not 'understand British power'.
If this was known and understood by the readers, then Achebe's goal of showing the audience why very few towns did not risk disagreeing.
The Kotma and The Messengers Killed.
The Kotama are the colonial police and only existed because of the Igbo people lack recognition when it comes to chiefs. They were very important to the British colonizers. They brought men 'for trial, gaurded risons, beat prisoners...etc. They nevertheless share the almost sacred position given by the British'. Because of their high status, it was such a shock when Okonkwo killed two if the messengers in another one of his impulsive decisions. These messengers were Achebe's fictional representation of this colonial police and killing them triggered the greatest decision of Okonkwo's life, his suicide.
G.T. Basden and Mr.Brown.
Achebe is a devoted Christian and so was his father; a convert. His father Isaiah Achebe was a true convert' taught and mentored by a missionary named G.T.Basden. Achebe brought G.T.Basden back as Mr.Brown in TFA. Mr.Brown was known for his understanding and smart approach in bringing people. Him leaving, and being replaced by Reverand Smit was the breaking point for Umofia, or more specifically, Okonkwo.
Then, by setting the book during the colonization administration. He emphasized how colonialism affected an entire culture. He showed how the coming of the white man, stopped the Igbo people from practicing their culture, how it brought both negative and positive aspects to the Igbo tribe; by showing the readers the effects of European colonialism through the lens of and Africans perspective.
Looking at an answer to this question from another point of view, we can assume that Achebe chooses to set his story during these two distinct times in order to understand and explore his own hybrid identity. Achene is from the Igbo tribe as well as a Christian; therefore he and his family were all influenced by the western colonialists that 'invaded' their village. By writing part of the story before colonialization, he is reaching into the Igbo side of his identity as he recalls the events, the culture, the worship, and their practices. He shows that to his readers as well. By writing the last half of the story during colonization and ending the story as such, Acebe is looking into the effects of colonization on the Igbo people, he approached both sides, the negatives that came with the white man, as well as positive as he is currently a proud Christian (the religion of the colonizers).
In addition to exposing the complexity of African people and communities, we can say that Achebe was part of a greater cause, gaining Nigeria Independence. By bringing Nigerian culture, Nigerian people and their stories into the world of English literature, Achebe is giving his people a voice. He's giving readers of English literature, a chance to look at the same stories they've been hearing about African cultures from another point of view, the point of view of an African. It empowered other African authors to come out, resulting in more authentic and real stories about African people to blossom, replacing the stories of African savages and African poverty.
Understanding the context of Things Fall Apart is important in understanding the purpose and message that the story is trying to portray. TFA requires the understanding of two important contexts, the history of Nigeria and the Igbo people portrayed in the story, as well as Europe's history, especially during the Scramble for Africa, and Britians colonization of The territories that are now called Nigeria.
There was a lot of context and connections to real-life situations and experiences that Achebe referenced and used when producing this novel.
The first part of the story depicts a very civil and organized society. The way the soial structure works is all set up, and people understand and obey the laws of their faith and culture peacefully. It is with the arrival of the colonizers with other Africans from far and wide, that the structure starts falling apart and just like Umofia in the story - confusion and division spreads among the people.
The story of Ahiara and Abame.
Ahiara, one of many towns that are destroyed for resistance and defiance against the white man. November 16, 1905, is when J.F.Stewart was traveling by bike and unfortunately got himself killed. A month later, soldiers arrived slaughtering the villagers, guns were confiscated and the town was burnt down. This story is directly referenced in Achebe's TFA, as a fictional village called Abame. Abame was Achebe's example of what happened when the village did not 'understand British power'.
If this was known and understood by the readers, then Achebe's goal of showing the audience why very few towns did not risk disagreeing.
The Kotma and The Messengers Killed.
The Kotama are the colonial police and only existed because of the Igbo people lack recognition when it comes to chiefs. They were very important to the British colonizers. They brought men 'for trial, gaurded risons, beat prisoners...etc. They nevertheless share the almost sacred position given by the British'. Because of their high status, it was such a shock when Okonkwo killed two if the messengers in another one of his impulsive decisions. These messengers were Achebe's fictional representation of this colonial police and killing them triggered the greatest decision of Okonkwo's life, his suicide.
G.T. Basden and Mr.Brown.
Achebe is a devoted Christian and so was his father; a convert. His father Isaiah Achebe was a true convert' taught and mentored by a missionary named G.T.Basden. Achebe brought G.T.Basden back as Mr.Brown in TFA. Mr.Brown was known for his understanding and smart approach in bringing people. Him leaving, and being replaced by Reverand Smit was the breaking point for Umofia, or more specifically, Okonkwo.
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