Things Fall Apart :: essays research papers

After the stock market crash of 1929, hundreds of people ended their lives be pee-pee they just couldnt cope with the fact that they had lost such a great deal of money. Some had lost their life savings - but most hadnt. In fact, most of them still had enough to livebetter than a lot of lower-class families. But why had they committed suicide? Many prisoners who have been institutionalized for thirty or forty years have been know to commit suicide not long after they are released. Why? Isnt freedom a better alternativethan imprisonment? The answer to both these questions is the kindred CHANGE. Even if the change is for the better, a good number of people cant handle it. In the novel Things fall Apart, the main character Okonkwo is driven to suicide by change he cant handle. The book is written by Cinua Achebe, a twentieth century author. Born in Nigeria, Achebe grew up in a transitional last much like the one described in the book. He is currently a professor of literature at the University of Nigeria. Many factors can beattributed to the cause of Okonkwos demise, But the three most drastic ones are hissons conversion to Christianity, the change in daily life the new religion brings, and his frustration caused by his neutral clansmen. Nwoyes conversion to Christianity was a sharp blow to Okonkwo because the Christians are looked down upon as being insane. The missionary tells them that all of the Ibos gods are false images of wood and stone, and can do them no harm. Upon hearingthis, the men of Mbanta decide that these men must be mad for how else could they saythat Ani and Amadiora were harmless? And Idemili and Ogwugwo too?(146) The missionary goes on to tell them about the dedicated Trinity. At the end of it Okonkwo is fully convinced that the man is mad.(147) Also, the first members of the new churchwere the clans rejects, like Nnka who has had four previous pregnancies and childbirths. but each time she bears twins, and they had been immediately prop el away. Her husband and his family were already becoming highly critical of such a woman and are not unduly perturbed when they find that she has fled to join the Christians. It is a good riddance.(151) The other aggroup of people that join are the osu, or outcasts. The changes the new religion brings almost pushes Okonkwo to the edge.