Okonkwo’s Demise
Thesis: In Things Fall Apart, Western culture is introduced to Okonkwo, and adversity strikes without warning which brings many challenges.
One of the first times Okonkwo is faced with adversity is when he returns to his father’s kinsmen to witness new cultural influence by the white men. An example from the text is, “Umuofia had indeed changed during the seven years Okonkwo had been in exile. The church had come and led many astray.”(p.174) This new version of Umuofia took Okonkwo by surprise. The people who have been following their chi and praising several gods have now been converted to Christianity by the missionaries. Another piece of textual evidence is, “But apart from the church, the white men had also brought a government.”(p.174) The form of a government in Okonkwo’s old village destroys all the years of guidance by the elders. The new laws have tossed away all the rules Okonkwo has ever lived by. The new cultural influence abolishes all old customs…show more content… An example of this anger is, “And he had hoped that Okonkwo would be happy to hear of it. But Okonkwo had driven him away with the threat that if he came into his compound again, he would be carried out of it.”(p.182) When Okonkwo is presented with the fact his son is prospering with the new religion it infuriates him even more. He begins to threaten others if the idea of converting to Christianity is brought to him. Another example is when Okonkwo warned the other to be fully armed, “An Umuofia man does not refuse a call, he may refuse to do what he is asked; he does not refuse to be asked. But the times have changed, and we must be fully prepared.”(p.193) Okonkwo’s rage get the best of him and causes him to be overpowering to missionaries. New laws and beliefs cause not only Okonkwo to become angry, but also the people of the village who have not been