Things Fall Apart

Throughout History there has been a desire for main stream white culture

to explore and expand to new areas with many different objetives in mind.

Many were looking for new lands that had untold riches while others were

spreading cultural or religious beliefs in an attemped to gain support for

their beliefs. Some times this was a welcomed addiction to foreign

societies bring them new technologies and ideas to improve there life. But

it was just as likely that these new additions to their culture and

society would have a negative effect causing many peoples lives to be

changed for ever. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe was a perfect example

of what effect new ideas and technology can have on societies that have

been isolated for generations and have created a unique culture and

society because of it. There were many changes that occured when white

explores came to Niger.

Umuofia Mbantu and the other local clans have been living in an isolated

society and culture for generations giving them plenty of time to adapted

and live in there envornment efficently. They had developed many

different religious beliefs that were different from the white Christian

culture that settled the area.

"You say that there is one supreme God who made heaven and earth," said

Akunna on one of Mr. Brown's visits. " We also believe in Him and call

Him Chukwu. He made all the world and the other gods." (Achebe, 179).

Even when trying to understand the Christian faith their religious

beliefs are so ingrained that they create cominalities that are not

really there. Akunna continues to talk about how the many gods they

worship are helpers of Chukwu because he can not do everything alone. But

that is were the problem is. By creating these gods to help Chukwu they

are creating false ideals to worship witch is against the christian faith

because they strictly believe in one God. " There are no other gods,"

saud Mr. Brown. " Chukwu is the only God and all others are false. You

carve a piece of wood-like that one and you call it a god. But it is

still a piece of wood." (Achebe 179). I find this conversation in the

book to be very interesting and can show many differences in their

culture. First Mr. Brown keeps trying to explain Akunna how their

realigion is wrong and not logical. But Akunna keeps trying to explain

how even though they are different they have things in common. To me this

shows how the white setlers felt that their religion is the right one and

everyone else is wrong. I believe this is a big motive in the spread of

the missionaries and white european culture. This is not only limited to

religion but can be seen in white explores attitude twords foriegn

cultures and societies in general.

There were many other parts of the local clans society that were changed

by white setlers. They created a court system and a government to keep

order and enforce the laws. "But apart from the church , the white men

had also brought a government. They had built a court where the District

Commissioner judged cases..." (Achebe 174). The white explores are

starting to take over. Now they can better control not only the people

that do not believe in them but they people who do as well. The white

setlers are doing what they can to create a culture that they feel is

best for everyone. This is not fair to a succesfull society that has

lived for generations with no problems. the white explores are taking it

in to there own hands to decide what is best for people who already know

what good for them. I believe it is unfair to go to a distant place where

you and your culture are a minority and tell the locals that they are

living a life of sin and evil and if they do not change we will make you.

Not only do the explores have no right to tell the locals what is right

and what is wrong, but to change there successful society just because

it is different is even worse. I can not agree with a group that takes

advantage of a society, tries to change it, and then say its for the

good of the local people. "As soon as the six men were locked up, court

messengers went into Umuofia to tell the people that their leaders would

not be released unless they paid a fine of two hundred and fifty bags of

cowries." (Achebe 195, 196). The white settlers, especially the

missionaries, came to sivalize the locals and spread there faith. But

instead they force the locals to change their way of life and then

threaten the locals lives if they do not obay. That does not sound like

what