While reading the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, I was impacted by the differences in our cultures. My vision of Africa was changed greatly by reading this book. I never realized how many traditions and ceremonies that took place within African culture.
The book is about a man named Okonkwo from Nigeria. His main goal in life was to be better than his father because he viewed him as a weak man, which is something very negative in their culture. He did not think his father amounted to anything and he even feared being a weak person. In Okonkwo’s tribe, polygamy was part of their traditions and he had three different wives and sets of children. This is very different from American culture because we do not promote a polygamous lifestyle and the majority of families are happily monogamous. Domestic abuse was also common throughout the book. It was hard to read about the violence toward loved ones and I do not think I will ever believe it is okay to act that way to anyone. I think he was violent in order to counteract his fear of weakness.
The majority of the book discusses how white men came and took over Okonkwo’s land. This book showed how Africa was changed by white people and different cultures. The Christian’s came to Okonkwo’s village and tell them their God is wrong and that they must believe in Christianity. This part was very upsetting to me because we should be accepting of all people’s cultures and religions. Because of the Christian missionaries there was lots of confusion within the village and resistant efforts began to build. I believe it is never okay to force your beliefs on someone else.
The book ends with Okonkwo killing himself because he murdered someone from the religions clan. The people of Okonkwo’s tribe thought he was evil because it is a sin to commit suicide according to their religion. Because of his suicide it symbolizes how assimilation can cause great turmoil within a group of people. It was unfair of the Christian’s to change Okonkwo’s tribe’s traditions and beliefs. As a teacher this makes me realize that it would be wrong to try to change a students culture. I must be accepting of every student’s culture and special traditions. I hope that I can incorporate each student’s culture within my classroom and maybe even have a cultural week.
As a teacher, I could not imagine teaching in a place. I obviously disagree with most behaviors that Okonkwo displays towards his children and family but their ceremonies and customs should be appreciated. Things Fall Apart was an eye-opening experience to the cultural difference between Africa and America and I have learned a lot from reading this book.
Good reflection.
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