mr Essays (228 words) - African Writers Series,

Andrew Hart 10/30/10 period 7 When two different cultures of unequal power meet, the culture with more power becomes ruler. The more powerful culture can use any means of force necessary to elevate itself to rule, and this idea is exhibited clearly in Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart. Chinua presents the European impositions on African tribal culture via the changes and downfall of the main character, Okonkwo and the life and eventual extinction of an African tribe called the Ibo. Okonkwo set out on a quest of self-perfection when he was a child. Coming from a family ruled by a man who was lazy and untrustworthy, Okonkwo vowed to never become his father. Okonkwo and his family suffered through many hard times in their lives, but usually managed to come out on top. Through terrible crop seasons and bad judgement calls, Okonkwo usually prevailed, until he was faced with the powerful European culture and rule. Through Okonkwo, Chinua informs the reader of the Europeans' haste and disrespect for the complex t ribal culture in which the Africans practiced. The Europeans imposed religion on the Africans, an destroyed their culture in many ways. The author displays how the Africans' spirit was broken, through Okonkwo and his traits, pre and post European imperialism. Okankwo and his tribe's spirit was broken by the European imposition of Christianity, values, and an overall culture.