Many people initially resented the new dispensation, but over time, this sentiment shifted—largely due to Mr. Brown’s influence. He refrained his flock from provoking the wrath of the clan. By doing so, he garnered respect from great men of the clan. One such figure, Akunna, even allowed his son to attend Mr. Brown’s school.
Akunna and Mr. Brown would engage in lengthy conversations about religion. Although none succeeded in converting the other, they deepened their understanding of each other’s beliefs. From these conversations, Mr. Brown deduced that a frontal attack on the traditional religion would fail. He went with a different approach.
He built a school and a little hospital in Umuofia. He then went from household to household, encouraging people to go to school. He told them that if they didn’t, people from other villages would rule them. Many heeded his advice.
Okonwko was grieved by what was happening to his clan. His return wasn’t as greatly anticipated as he had expected, as people were more preoccupied with the changes in society. In his view, his clan was breaking and falling apart, and he mourned for it.
Inevitability of Change
These are some of my notes from Chapter 21 of Things Fall Apart.
What struck me most was how subtle conquest can be—not through brute force but by orchestration of new systems and creating dependence on them.
The Umuofians were cautioned against domination by neighboring villages yet, paradoxically, failed to recognize how missionary schools and hospitals fragmented their own traditions. Fears of rivalries and marginalization were leveraged to fuel assimilation, ultimately serving the agenda of the colonial powers Mr. Brown represented.
The community’s behavior mirrored modern FOMO—fearing that they might miss out on experiences enjoyed by neighboring communities, they played into the hands of the colonial powers.
They adopted the new systems not out of ideological conviction but because of tangible benefits, such as literacy and medicine. Not that they didn’t have their own; they did, but amidst the societal changes ongoing at the time, change was inevitable.
While their traditional systems may have been less advanced than those introduced by the newcomers, they still served a purpose. Nonetheless, the benefits—reduced mortality rates, a more modern system of learning, and the groundwork for cross-cultural interactions—made the adoption of these systems appealing.
Along with the benefits offered, these new systems acted like Trojan horses. By pairing learning and medicine with Christianity, they gradually reshaped the community’s ideologies to align with the goals of colonial conquest.
On Ideology
Okonkwo, the novel’s protagonist, witnessed these sweeping changes with great disappointment. A staunch believer in the traditions of his upbringing, he vehemently opposed the influences that were slowly taking root in the community. In an earlier chapter of the book, the author gives us a peek into Okonkwo’s worldview:
His whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness. It was not external, but it lay deep within himself.
It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father. Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be anger.
To show affection was a sign of weakness, the only thing worth demonstrating was strength.
At the climax of the story, he hangs himself, a final act of rebellion. While this can be seen as a ‘death before dishonor’ moment, it also reflects how he became a victim of his own convictions. Valuing raw strength above all, he found himself powerless against a force he stood no chance against. The lack of support from his fellow tribesmen only deepened his anguish, becoming perhaps the final nail to the coffin.
In contrast, Nwoye, Okonwkwo’s eldest son, drifted with the changing tide. His father was constantly upset with him. He perceived Nwoye as weak and lacking in masculinity, qualities that did not meet the traditional Igbo standards.
He ruled him with a heavy hand, making Nwoye possibly perceive himself as a disappointment and disgrace to his father. He ultimately finds solace in Christianity, to his father’s disgust.
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.
The redemptive theme and the message of salvation belonging to all—the strong, the weak, the rich, and the poor—struck a chord in Nwoye. It addressed the existential questions left unanswered by Igbo traditions—especially the tragic fate of Ikemefuna, Nwoye’s adopted brother who got sacrificed to maintain tribal peace.
The new faith showed him that no matter how worthless or weak a person may be perceived according to tradition, honor and dignity were still accessible to them. This moved his heart greatly.
The missionary message resonated with those who had been ostracized by Igbo traditions—osu (outcasts), women, and sensitive boys.
Nwoye eventually abandoned his traditional beliefs entirely, converting to Christianity and even becoming a missionary himself, despite his father’s protests. He even attempts to minister to his father at some point, though to no avail.
Final Thoughts
Things Fall Apart offers a remarkable portrayal of the impact of colonialism, highlighting how power can be exercised both overtly and covertly.
Conquering a community does not always require physical force; sometimes a gentle, persuasive nudge that appeals to the heart is far more effective. When new systems align with existing desires and yearnings, winning over people becomes almost effortless. At times, this need can be cultivated in people and used to one’s advantage.
The interplay between Okonkwo and Nwoye illustrates this dynamic on a microscopic level. Okonkwo, a traditionalist who prized raw strength, refused to give up his heart and spirit to the changing times. Meanwhile, Nwoye—burdened by the existential uncertainties that his traditions could not resolve alongside the poor relationship he had with his father—found hope in the new faith, embracing Christianity as a refuge.
If Okonwko had been able to reach his son, he could have held the tide of change, at least for his family. Instead, his fear of weakness prevented him from truly guiding Nwoye, contributing to his tragic end.
It’s an intriguing story, one that I would recommend and look forward to rereading.