Things Fall Apart TOK Based Essay

To what extent should we accept knowledge and authority?

Chinua Achebe is one of the most well known contemporary African writers during the 20^th century. He was one of the pioneers of the development of the African literature in English, and many of his works give a new perspective to the African culture and literature. Achebe’s first and most critically acclaimed novel, Things Fall Apart, deals with the clash of cultures and the violent transitions in life and values brought about by the onset of British colonialism in Nigeria at the end of the 19^th century.  The novel begins by introducing the complexity and structure of the Igbo society, conveying the uniqueness of this culture through their traditions, religious beliefs, etc. Alike most societies globally, there are authoritarian roles corresponding to different aspects, including the political, cultural and religious. These authoritarian figures are in charge of conveying ideas to a society, of guiding them by demonstrating concrete leadership and of maintaining a superior and respected role in the community. An authority figure is defined as people that exercise control, for example being able to enforce laws, impose obedience, command and determine, over other people. Societies and cultures portrayed in the novel Things Fall Apart” each rely on religious authorities to guide them and transmit knowledge that help them socially improve. Knowledge is defined as a true and justified belief, and can certainly be affected by religious influences harshly implemented by the authorities. The two main cultures conveyed in this novel are the Igbo society and the British society that established in order to conquer new lands. The igbo society, as fully described in the book, is fully devoted to religion, and have a great respect for their religious leader, Chielo, which makes the important decisions in the community. Being the priestess, Chielo emanates respect and fear, as she is the direct messenger of the goddess of Agbala, the one in charge of making the drastic decisions in the culture. Reverend Smith, is the head of the Christian church installed. He is intolerant of the African culture and does not respect their beliefs, being narrow-minded toward the Christian views. This essay will analyze the impact of religious authorities on society and the clash of religions from different cultures, focusing on to what extent does Chielo, the priestess of Umuofia, portray a specific religious authority versus the religious authoritarian role portrayed by the British Reverend smith, and what is the purpose of these clash of religions occurring in a post-colonial African environment?

Firstly, Chielo is the representative of the Igbo culture, as she is the priestess, being in charge of taking the role of the messenger of the Oracle of the Hills and Caves, or the goddess Agbala. Chielo is vital character in the novel, as she not only portrays a spiritual authoritarian role, but also being a woman, mostly rejected and discriminated in the community, is able to convey respect and fear. Her authoritarian role can be mostly seen in a scene during the introduction of the complexities Igbo society and the characters. During this scene, the Oracle commands Chielo to take Enzinma, Oknonkos daughter, to the cave as she needed to pass through a ritual and the goddess of Agbala had to communicate with the girl. Oknonkwo is described as a very strong and fearless man but when faced with the maximum religious authorities he succumbs to her high respect. This can be clearly seen in this quote, “Okonkwo pleaded with her to come back in the morning because Ezinma was now asleep. But Chielo ignored what he was trying to say and went on shouting that Agbala wanted to see his daughter . . . The priestess screamed. 'Beware, Okonkwo!' she warned" (101). Chielo a an individual, is very generous and calm, but her strength as a religious authority fully develops as she is “possessed” by the Oracle, were the entity talks through her and transmits important information that decides the fate of the village. The fact that the whole Igbo community accepts this religious belief is shown how the priestess tackles disobedience by warning that the goddess of Agbala will punish the disobedient, and only these words causes a great fear in all this community, as they are fully devoted to the spiritual world ad have accepted the transmission of this specific knowledge. This ability to control society and impose fear and respect through religion is seen when Ekwefi, one the wives of Oknonkwo, starts to follow Chielo as she has taken Enzima to the sancturary of the Oracle of the Hills and caves; “And then the priestess screamed. “Somebody is walking behind me!” she said. “Whether you are spirit or man, may Agbala shave your head with a blunt razor! May he twist your neck until you see your heels! “Ekwefi stood rooted to the spot. One mind said to her: “Woman, go home before Agbala does you harm.” But she could not. “ (11.56-57). This quotes shows how the disobeying a religious authority causes a great sense of fear to be disloyal to the spiritual beliefs of the culture. Although Chielo can be a harsh religious authority, she is accepted by the culture, as this belief has been present since the beginning of this society, and the community has accepted the acquisition of this religious knowledge and uses it for their own development and the development of their society. Throughout the book, Chielo is also demonstrated as a very calm and generous person, and rarely intervenes when the British arrive and impose their own religion, showing her lack of necessity to expand and impose a religious belief in a place that is not her own community.

 Secondly, reverend Smith represents a very different religious authoritarian role as he establishes in the Igbo culture and tries to expand his believes. Reverend Smith is a stereotypical fire-and –brimstone preacher. His view is mostly in “black and white”, the black color, the skin color of the people in the African culture, represents pure evil. The Christian representative is intolerant and disrespectful towards the Igbo customs and beliefs, believing that their beliefs are the work of the devil. The man portrays the close-mind and necessity for strong cultural possession of the religious aspect of the British. Reverend Smith’s negative perception for the Igbo culture and strict personality imposes a very rough authoriathiarin religious pressure towards the Igbo society. This is different from Chielos imposition of religion, as the Igbo culture is already used to these beliefs and being forced to change to a different religion is difficult. As an authority, Reverend Smith wants to get rid of the polytheistic and make people become fully devoted to the Christian Religion. His negative connotation and necessity to evoke new beliefs in the Igbo culture can be seen through this quote, “All the gods you have named are not gods at all. They are gods of deceit who tell you to kill your fellows and destroy innocent children. There is only one true God and He has the earth, the sky, you and me and all of us." This shows the process of imposing acceptance of this religion in the Igbo culture. Reverend Smith transmits a different type of knowledge, a knowledge that conveys that their previous beliefs are blasphemy, and that believing in Christianity and in god is the right path to follow. The contrast between the religious authority of Chielo and Reverend Smith is clearly seen, as the Christian clergy tries to strictly and in an obligated manner impose a different religion, defaming their previous beliefs and making them leave the spiritual worlds they belonged to behind. The defaming of the previous beliefs the Igbo people believes in and the abrupt enforcing of a completely new belief is seen by the response of the reverend to an Igbo native, "If we leave our gods and follow your god," asked another man, "who will protect us from the anger of our neglected gods and ancestors?" "Your gods are not alive and cannot do you any harm," replied the white man. "They are pieces of wood and stone." Overall, Reverend Smith’s authoritarian role is one that forces acceptance through negative words and defamation of a knowledge that is extremely different from the one initially obtained throughout the ancestral development of the Nigerian African society.

Ultimately, the author, Chinua Achebe, had a purpose for portraying the clash of this religious beliefs and authorities in a post-colonial environment. The beginning of the conquest of Africa by the British was the start of the expansion of the Christian church. Chinua Achebe chooses to portray this clash of cultures in this time period because of the fact that during this time, the African societies were being initially forced to change religion and forget their previous spiritual beleifs. This caused a very strong social tension and conflicts, which can be seen throughout the novel. Also, Achebe intends to show the different religious authorities that can exist, each one having specific values and characteristics that affect the acceptance and perception of this religious knowledge conveyed. This is shown through Chielos transmission of respect and fear, but at the same time logic and generosity throughout the society, causing them to be fully devoted to their religion and through Reverend Smiths enforcement of an alien religion and imposition of traditions and customs that the people are forced to enforce, and are completely against their will.

In conclusion, there is a great contrast in the role of religious authority between the Igbo culture and the British culture. In my opinion, the forces enforcement of the Christian religion only to develop the British Empire and increase their power is completely wrong, as their authoritarian methods included punishments and oppression for not accepting and taking knowledge from a completely different belief one is accustomed to.

Umofia Virtual Village Reflection

• What did you learn about your character and other characters from participating in the role play?

Through interacting virtually with peers which represented a character in the novel "Things Fall Apart", I learned that most of the main protagonists of the novel have different perspectives. This led me to understand the personality and way of interacting with society of the main characters of the novel, understanding how they would face certain situations. Different perspectives can be conveyed for example through religion. Chielo, the character I portrayed, was completely devoted to believing in the "Oracle of the Hills and Caves", and followed her decisions which decided the fate and destiny of the Igbo community. Although I had already gained wide knowledge about the priestess of Umuofia through research, I connected more with my character. I began to completely understand how persons can be devoted to one perspective, and how can this change their view of society surrounding them. Another example is reverend smith, a british catholic clergy, which was devoted to christianity and disapproved of the different beliefs of the Igbo culture, expanding his views and harshly implemented his own beliefs in a culture that believed in a completely different type of god. 

• Why did certain characters act the way they did during our experience in the Village of Umuofia 

Because every character in the novel had specific emotional and physical characteristics that gave them uniqueness, leading to different enclosed perspectives and views. This can be seen by how the characters deal with different situations and their relationship with other people. This means that in certain situation, your chracter would have to act in a specific way. For example, let's take Okonkwo into account. He is a self-centered, sexist and masculine leader. In a fight, Oknonkwo would act aggressively and would show no fear. Interacting with woman, Okonkwo shows little respect, as he believes that gender is inferior and that men have superiority because of their increases strength and ability to do the hard work

• How was your experience similar and different from the novel?

Being Chielo during this experience, I was able, alike her in the novel, to portray devotion to the oracle of the hills and caves and show my enclosed beliefs in the god of Agbala, being her messenger. Throughout the virtual activity I constantly showed disagreement against decisions that were taken without consulting the great authoritarian figure that was the oracle and was most of the time against the harsh christian beliefs imposed mostly by Reverend Smith. My experience was different from the one in the novel since I only portrayed the very harsh and ferocious side of Chielo, which only surges when she connects with the Oracle or when she has to face difficult situations. In fact, Chielo is a very nice and generous woman, who maintains a good relationship with everyone in the village. 

• How has your experience in the village of Umuofia "virtual reality" changes or enhanced your understanding of the novel and the historical events on which it is based?

Overall, through reading other character's perspectives in specific situations, my overall understanding of the novel was enhanced. I had a very vague understanding of the personality and characteristics of many of the vital characters of the novel, and through this virtual interaction, I understood how they tackled problems and analyzed their different point of views. Regarding the historical context, it was certainly enhanced. I further understood the great cultural clash between the Igbo and the british, and how many aspects corresponding to the African Culture were greatly influenced by this new "alien" culture. 

The African Writer and the English Language Response

In his essay, "English and the African Writer" Chinua Achebe reflects on the role of language and power, focusing on the reason and purpose of why he, a Nigerian author, wrote his critically acclaimed book "Things Fall Apart" in the English language. Through this explanation, Achebe manages to transmit that the African literature was affected by the English language in a positive way. Achebe gives insight on the fact that the english language, brought by the British colonizers to Africa is now an essential part the African culture. The African continent is separated into a large variety of ethnic societies, which use different languages to communicate and write literature. Achebe says that these cultures do not want to accept the english language as their official communication and literature language even though it is an international language that gives a more steady and efficient type of communication. To further prove this point, Achebe uses the following quotation, "If it didn't give them a song, it gave them a tongue". Through this quote Achebe is referring to the efficiency of the english language and how it expanded internationality and cultural diversity in communication throughout a great part of Africa and if used more, will in the future create a further steadier communication system for all the countries containing different cultures throughout the diverse continent of Africa.

Achebe's main purpose was to communicate the idea that the introduction of the English language by British missionaries in some parts of Africa was culturally more positive than negative. The introduction of the English Language into the African Cultures enabled them to embrace a language used worldwide, which creates stronger global connections and as mentioned before, enhances the communication system. In fact, in "Things Fall Apart" by Achebe it is clear that the introduction of the english language brought by British missionaries had more negative than positive effects on the Igbo culture, allowing them to unify further and allow clear expression and freedom of speech. In his essay, Achebe mentions that he once had a visit from a fellow author and poet from Kenya named Joseph Kariuki. He read his poem, Come Away in Love, which talked about the trials and tensions of an African man in love of a British girl. The poem was in english, and allowed Achebe to connect with the messages and semantic figures rich in the poem and be impacted by its connotation. In contrast, Achebe in 1960 met with Shabaan Robert, a Swahili poet. Achebe recognized that he was conversing with a very influential and important writer, but because of the fact that the literature was written in a language belonging to a specific area of Africa, he did not feel a strong impact and certainly did not feel the connection he felt with the poem written in the english language by the Kenyan poet. By these examples, Achebe's intention is to further enhance the fact that the introduction of the english language was positive. Literature written in an international and steady language such as English, allows other people around the world to comprehend the writing and feel connections that are impossible to feel with Swahili, as it is a language enclosed in a specific area and not spoken and any other continent around the globe. Achebe also says that he would love to learn all the languages spread around the continent, but it is impossible. He clarifies that the English language is one of the most common ways of speech, and ties a strong communication knot between countries. One of the quotes of his essay proves this point when he says "Where am I to find the time to learn the half dozen or so Nigerian languages, each of which can sustain a literature?". Furthermore, this quote refers to the fact that mainly literature in too many different languages impedes understanding and insight from other cultures that efficiently use the english language to interact and gain knowledge about other cultures.

Achebe's view of the British/English language is that although it is hard to process for some African people, it brought more positive than negative aspects to the African culture. He comprehends that the African have a negative perspective of the British colonizers as they also brought diseases and oppression, but, regarding language, they brought a powerful way of communicating that has proven to be efficient for several cultures spread around Africa that have been able to create strong links with other nations that permits prosperity and development. He asserts, "Let us not in rejecting the evil throw out the good within". With this assertion Achebe refers to the idea that African society must let go of the past and leave behind all the harm brought by the British missionaries and embrace this powerful language that enhances the communication system throughout the African continent. Also, he referred to the usage of the English language as the main national language of Nigeria as it represents the current reality, which created the emotion/reaction of indignation and resentment within the reader, which did not accept a language originated from a considered hostile and different culture.

Achebe believes that the justification for using English as means of communication in his novel is that British colonialism gave the opportunity for different ethnic groups around Africa and overall to efficiently be able to communicate with each other. He then states that African writers that chose to write their pieces of literature in the English language are not unpatriotic, they are positively influenced by the immersion of the English language in the African culture, and use it to establish and enable a good global communication system. The English language unified groups that were separating, as a result, permitting a better communication and understanding between them. Achebe explains that before the imperialistic period, Africa was completely separated by tribes and different cultures that had different communication systems. The English language established an official way of communication, allowing the cultures to help each other develop and further create positive links with the aim of national and international progress. It also expanded and eased education, since most African areas learned a common way to communicate and express.

The influence of the British led to a high sociopolitical change, including, new political systems and further social unification between cultural groups. These changes allowed clans and tribes located in the same area to unify into powerful nations that shared a same political system and could express themselves using the english language as a common communication form, establishing efficient political and social norms that led to the creation of a unified and working nation. Achebe points to the irony of work when presented with work by authors such as Shabaan Robert, the Swahili poet of Tanganyika, as he could not understand his work, and would not, until he manages to learn the swahili language and could understand the meaning of his poetry, and then proceeded to mock the authors that utilized these languages enclosed to one single area by saying " Where am I to find the time to learn the half dozen or so Nigerian languages, each of which can sustain a literature?"

Writes who choose to publish in the colonial languages of English and French, are not, Achebe believes, "unpatriotic smart-alecs," they are in fact, "alecks with an eye on the main chance - outside their own countries. they rare by-products of the same process that made the new nation-states of Africa."

Achebe draws to a conclusion by referring to the work of James Baldwin. He draws a parallel between this work and his own ideas by stating that he recognizes that Baldwin's problem is not his, but he feels that the english language will be able to carry the weight of his African experience. He also says that it will have to be a new English, still in full communion with its ancestral home but altered to suit its new African surroundings

Written Response Igbo Society

What are “kola nuts” and how are they used in the novel? What do they represent or symbolize?

The kola nut is the fruit of the kola tree, a genus of trees native to the rain forests of Africa. The use of the kola nut, as well as the coffee berry and tea leaf is known to come from ancient origins. In several West African cultures, the kola nut is chewed individual or with a group of people, and is said to restore vitality and ease the hunger pangs[1]. Regarding spiritual and traditional common practices of culture and religion, kola nuts are essential and are mostly used in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria.

In the novel by Chinua Achebe, Things Fall apart, we are introduced to the kola nut in the 7^th page of chapter 3. For the Igbo culture, the main society depicted in the novel, the nut is very significant as “who brings kola nut brings life”. Kola nuts are constantly mentioned in the novel, especially in the occurrence of special religious and cultural ceremonies. This also shows the devotion of the Igbo culture to tradition. An example is when Okoye comes to see Unoka in order to collect money he owed him. Instead of directly starting to talk and negotiate about the debt, Unoka offered one of his kola nuts to Okoye, as a symbol of hospitality and appreciation. The two men started to argue, because they could not decide who was going to break the kola nut, an act that represents honor and strength. Unoka finally “accepted the honor of breaking the kola nut”. This phrase included in the beginning of the novel signifies the honor and respect gained from breaking the kola nut.

Breaking the kola nut in the Igbo culture is not only honorable and respectful, but it requires a spiritual process performed by Unoka after he broke the kola nut he offered to Okoye. After breaking the nut, Unoka “prayed to their ancestors for life and health, and for protection against their enemies”. While performing the prayer, Okoye drew lines on the floor for this religious, brief ceremony. After the kola nut ceremony, Okoye then spoke with Unoka. This succession in the novel explains the importance of the kola nut in the Igbo culture. It is a symbol of honor and respect, as well as spiritual devotion and hospitality. It can be compared with offering a drink to a guest as he comes to your house, before talking about something in particular. The difference is the significant cultural and religious value that the kola nut has.

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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kola_nut

Achiebe TED talk

In this impactful and mind opening TED talk, Nigerian author and story teller, Chimamanda Adichie talks about the danger of a single perspective; of having one single enclosed perception of other cultures, societies, governments, etc. She interprets this closed perspective as a “single story”, and further develops how one-sided perspectives can be dangerous. As the speech commenced, and she introduced her argument, I asked myself, what could possibly be the danger of a single story? Near the ending of the speech I comprehended. It is dangerous because it makes you ignorant. It makes you only understand one side of things. It demonstrated us human’s tendency to, through media and other information sources, only capture one perspective of several cultures and societies. An example is when she tells her experience is Guadalajara, Mexico. After hearing through media large debates from the United States point of view about Mexican immigration and high crime rates, Adichie comes to Mexico with the knowledge that this is what she will observe. She was completely wrong. The recognition of this one sides perspective makes me recognize this Nigerian author as open minded, and she made me immediately makes connections about the various single stories I have. The idea that the chinese society was corrupt, not educated and violent, was transmitted to me by the society I grew up in, and all my life I perceived Chinese culture as one that contained these traits. Like Achiebe, going to China for a cultural immersion program was mind opening. There was much more than aggressive behaviors and strange meals. There was a culturally diverse country, with highly educated individuals that were responsibly for high technological and educational developments. China was a country that was successfully reemerging from an intense economic recession. She makes clear that there are many sources, such as books, that impulse this one sided point of view. Her frequent reading of American and British books made her as a child write about typical traits corresponding to these type of literature. This made her have one perspective about this culture; one filled with blue eyed blonde kinds playing in the snow ad eating apples. In my opinion, we can all relate to this. Another great example of a culture Achiebe is originally from, is Africa. Since I was a child, I was exposed to the greatest single story about the African culture of all time. Or I was shown pictures of tribal groups in Kenya not wearing cloth and using spears, or I was shown statistics of high mortality and AIDS rates surrounding all the African countries. In my opinion, Achiebe successfully transmits her point by explaining the other side of Africa, which most people, for example her ignorant American roommate that was surprised that an “African” listened to contemporary music and spoke English, do not comprehend. Most western literature about Africa is also focused on the negative aspects. John Lock, a famous explorer, wrote in his journal about his observations. He wrote about getting to live with people that acted like animals: beasts. People that that unordinary traditions that made them different from the western culture, which until now, is considered a negative aspect. Furthermore, one must see the two sides of a story. Africa is also a very culturally diverse continent, filled with very perseverant individuals that have reached very high positions. It is a continent filled with enthusiasm and creativity. In conclusion, I think that Achiebe effectively transmits that is many occasions, mostly in the social and cultural aspects, having a one sides perspective is dangerous as it closes your mind. I agree to this argument, and as well agree that single stories are effectively dangerous as they do not feed the mind and generate ignorance.

Character Analysis: Chielo

·      In normality, Chielo is a widow with two children and an ordinary woman of the Igbo community. But, she is also the priestess of Umuofia who is dedicated to the oracle of the goddess Agbala. When the power of prophecy comes to her she is possessed by the godhead. She is one of the most powerful figures of the clan; no important decisions can be made without her approval.

·        Chielo is a vitally important addition to the novel that as the priestess, not only represents the importance of religion and spirituality in the Igbo community, but how women can have an important role, a role that is in charge of making drastic decisions and guiding the community.

·       Achiebe recalls near the beginning of the novel that in Okonkwo’s childhood “the priestess in those days was a woman called Chika. She was full of the power of her god, and she was greatly feared” (17). This demonstrates that the priestess in the Igbo culture was feared and heavily respected, as they believed she could communicate with the god. This makes the reader infer Chielo’s power and respect.

·       Chielo is introduced as “the priestess of Agbala, the oracle of the hill and the caves” (49). As a priestess, it is Chielo’s duty to communicate with the oracle of the hill and the caves, Agbala, and follow what she desires. Chielo is considered a different person when Agbala “possesses her” and makes important decisions that must be followed for the prosperity of the village. “ At one stage Ekwefi was so afraid that she nearly called out Chielo for companionship and human sympathy. What she had seen was the shape of a man climbing a palm tree, his head pointing to the earth and his legs skywards. But at that very moment Chielo’s voice rose again in her possessed chanting, and Ekwefi recoiled, because there was no humanity there. It was not the same Chielo who sat with her in the market and sometimes bought beancakes for Ezinma, whom she called her daughter. It was a different woman – the priestess of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and Caves. Ekwefi trudged along between two fears “ (11.62). This quote demonstrates Chielo’s full devotion to religion, and how she transforms into the fearful god Agbala when she fuly connects with the spiritual world.

·       Chielo is very fond of most of the women in the village because of her generous and nice attitude. She is particularly fond with Enzima, daughter of Ekwefi and Okonkwo, which she meets during a wrestling match in the village.

·       There is an episode during the novel where Chielo comes to get Enzima, as she says that the oracle of the Hills and Caves, Agbala, whishes to speak with her.  She carries Enzima in her back for miles in order to purify her and appease the gods. We are told in the novel, "Okonkwo pleaded with her to come back in the morning because Ezinma was now asleep. But Chielo ignored what he was trying to say and went on shouting that Agbala wanted to see his daughter . . . The priestess screamed. 'Beware, Okonkwo!' she warned" (101). There is no point in the novel were Okonkwo plead with anyone, male or female, for any reason. Chielo not only orders Oknonkwo to give their daughter, but she threatens him and he obeys. This is evidence that religion is respected in the community, and the priestess, being the major representation of spirituality, is obeyed and feared.

·       Ekwefi, wife of Okonkwo and mother to Enzima, decides to follow Chielo because she was afraid the priestess would harm her daughter.  “And then the priestess screamed. “Somebody is walking behind me!” she said. “Whether you are spirit or man, may Agbala shave your head with a blunt razor! May he twist your neck until you see your heels! “Ekwefi stood rooted to the spot. One mind said to her: “Woman, go home before Agbala does you harm.” But she could not. “ (11.56-57). This intense threat by Chielo causes immediate fear towards Ekwefi and she things twice before continuing to defy a choice made by the oracle. This once again demonstrates Chielo’s role in the community as a harsh religious leader and decision maker.