Igbo Religion In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
Until the arrival of the European missionaries, nobody, including Okonkwo, has ever learned about or considered another religion. It is Igbo tradition to always trust in and never question the culture, because thinking otherwise would be disrespecting their gods. The arrival of the white man and his new faith is a rude awakening to many, questioning everything the villagers have ever believed in. Though many members of the clan are completely unmoved by the teachings of Christianity, some people, including Okonkwo’s firstborn son, find it intriguing. In Chinua Achebe’s great African novel, Things Fall Apart, the importance of upholding tradition is challenged by a modern religion, which ultimately leads to the conversion of Okonkwo’s son, Nwoye.
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Okonkwo always speaks of the significance of their traditions, constantly reminding his firstborn of the pressure he has to be great. Ultimately, Okonkwo’s fears of his own father become a major factor in Nwoye’s journey to converting to Christianity. In order to prevent his son from turning into his own father, “[Okonkwo] sought to correct him by constant nagging and beating. And so Nwoye was developing into a sad-faced youth” (Achebe 13-14). Though Okonkwo’s heart is seemingly in the right place, his attempts to change twelve-year-old Nwoye only push him further away “[and] the boy was afraid of him” (Achebe 63). The apprehension caused by Okonkwo’s comments about laziness and masculinity are the start of Nwoye’s resistance to both his father and his religion. Even as a young boy, he oppressed his interest in subjects that were considered to be feminine, for fear of upsetting his father. Furthermore, despite his anger after Ikemefuna’s death, he continues to attempt to please his father and push his uncertainties to the back of his mind. However, upon the arrival of the Christian preachers, he begins to allow himself to ask the questions he has wondered all
Okonkwo always speaks of the significance of their traditions, constantly reminding his firstborn of the pressure he has to be great. Ultimately, Okonkwo’s fears of his own father become a major factor in Nwoye’s journey to converting to Christianity. In order to prevent his son from turning into his own father, “[Okonkwo] sought to correct him by constant nagging and beating. And so Nwoye was developing into a sad-faced youth” (Achebe 13-14). Though Okonkwo’s heart is seemingly in the right place, his attempts to change twelve-year-old Nwoye only push him further away “[and] the boy was afraid of him” (Achebe 63). The apprehension caused by Okonkwo’s comments about laziness and masculinity are the start of Nwoye’s resistance to both his father and his religion. Even as a young boy, he oppressed his interest in subjects that were considered to be feminine, for fear of upsetting his father. Furthermore, despite his anger after Ikemefuna’s death, he continues to attempt to please his father and push his uncertainties to the back of his mind. However, upon the arrival of the Christian preachers, he begins to allow himself to ask the questions he has wondered all