I read most of Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, on the way to and from Denver this past weekend when Ross and Hannah and I traveled to pick up Laura from the airport for the Christmas holidays. We all stayed for a few days in Colorado - a great getaway! The only downside was reading this rather depressing book in the middle of the festive and celebratory feel of the city.
Things Fall Apart is the story of an African tribesman, Okonkwo, his three wives and multiple children, their day-to-day lives in the village, the traditions, beliefs, and customs of the people, and Okonkwo's ultimate downfall.
Yes, yes - I get that white missionaries were perceived as evil, what with forcing their religion onto others and all. But, oh my gosh, were things really that much better before the white man came to Okonkwo's African village? He beat his wives and killed a boy (with a machete, no less) who had lived with his family for years. He exhibited no patience with anyone, and was self-satisfied, superior, and superstitious. He apparently loved one daughter because she understood him, but even that love was tarnished because he always regretted that she was not born a boy. Again, I know this was his culture, and that he couldn't have realistically felt otherwise, but I was still greatly annoyed with this guy, and couldn't find a single redeeming quality in him. As a consequence, I wasn't upset that he killed himself; in fact, it was a relief that the book was over.
The book had one little glimmer of redemption: the conversation between the tribal elder and the priest was interesting. The author made a good point: One man's superstition is another man's religion (and vice versa). At least, I think that was the author's intention.
The book had one little glimmer of redemption: the conversation between the tribal elder and the priest was interesting. The author made a good point: One man's superstition is another man's religion (and vice versa). At least, I think that was the author's intention.
The missionaries' arrival signaled the beginning of the end of an era, the end of a way of life, blah, blah, blah. Change is everywhere, all the time. If you don't learn to live with it and adapt, you perish. I'll bet his wives did a little jig of happiness when they learned they were rid of the guy.
