Chinua Achebe, through his novel Things Fall Apart, which was
written in 1958, introduces the importance of duality and flexibility in
beliefs and expresses the importance of applying both when developing or
creating a new nation, connecting to the context of the nearing independence of
Nigeria. Achebe, himself, values his dual-nature of being a member in both the
Igbo religion and of Christianity and expresses this through his novel, Things
Fall Apart, where he portrays how having this duality allows situations to
be seen in a different perspective, alike how Achebe expresses the positive aspects
and the flaws of both Christianity and the Igbo culture. Although, the opposite
can be said of Okonkwo, the main character in Things Fall Apart, as he is
a stubborn and highly religious figure of the Igbo culture in his village of
Umuofia. When the British came to colonize his village, Okonkwo was an avid
rebel against his self-believed tyrannical rule that the British held over he
and his village people. His consistent struggle against the British rule causes
him to lose the faith of his fellow village men, causing Okonkwo to lose the
respect he spent years to regain after his father’s failures. Even though it is
always encouraged and is considered advantageous to hold on to one’s beliefs
and religion, Achebe aims to express how there must also be a mutual
understanding of being flexible between cultures, specifically within the
context of colonization and the creation of national identities, and that duality
must be a prized and accepted trait amongst cultures throughout the world to
allow any one culture to be not disregarded or be belittled by other, more
widespread cultures.
Topic Sentence #1:
It is important within all cultures to hold on to fundamental beliefs
and ideas to be able to pass on the values of that culture and to be able to
connect to other cultures.
Topic Sentence #2:
Duality and mutual understanding between cultures has long-term
importance as it allows cultures to evolve and to be able to adapt to new
technology, ideas, events or even to other new cultures.
Topic Sentence #3:
In the context of colonization, it is important to share ideas and
beliefs to compare and connect said ideas and to create relationships between
possibly opposing cultures and to be able to create a nation that values both
of these cultures.
