Now that you've finished reading Part Two of Things Fall Apart, it's time to start grappling with one of the central thematic issues of the novel.
When the missionaries begin arriving in the land of the Ibo, the tribal society is thrown into turmoil because its belief system must now compete with that of another land.
In a short response, please answer these questions: what makes Ibo society particularly vulnerable to the English colonists' religion and rhetoric? And do you think that the missionaries are saving or savaging the Ibo? Why????
And also, what's your favorite kind of gum?
Happy thinking!
The Ibo society is particularly vulnerable to the English colonists' religion and rhetoric because their religion consists of practices that many are uncertain and unsupportive of. This is very apparent in Okonkwo's son Nwoye. He became an avid supporter early on mainly because he saw some sense of ethicality in the new religion. He was always questioning and deeply troubled by the death of Ilkemefuna as well as the twins he heard wailing in the woods. In this society, I highly doubt that he was alone in his beliefs. Among the converts one was a woman who bore many twins that had to be killed. She as well exemplifies another ibo member who converts in order to escape a few cruel practices of the society. I believe that the missionaries are both saving and savaging the Ibo. They, like the locusts, bring about turmoil as well as a more peaceful religion. Unfairly, they completely overturn the Ibo society and rip them apart by turning the members against one and other. However, their religion appeals to many as it seems more peaceful and rational than that already practiced.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite kind of gum is root beer or wintermint :)
DeleteI believe that the Ibo society is vulnerable to the British because of their strict belief that things happen for a reason and that their gods will make everything right. For example, after a sacred animal was killed by a Christian, the clan wanted to exile all of the Christians. But "before the day was over he was dead. His death showed that the gods were still able to fight their own battles. The clan saw no reason then for molesting the Christians"(161). This proves that the Ibo people believe that the gods will make what they want happen so they have no reason to fight against the invaders. In addition, the clan could not harm anyone else who was a part of the clan. Even though some changed religion, the Ibo could not fight against them because hurting another clan member was not believed to be okay. Finally, I think they are susceptible to the invasions because they are not fully united. Although families are pretty close, clans as a whole are not very community based and reliant on one another. Okonkwo's uncle says: "I fear for you young people because you do not understand how strong is the bond of kinship. You do not know how to speak with one voice"(167). This is significant because when people are not united they are easily torn apart and destroyed easier than if they all worked together. Finally, I agree with Hannah that the British are both saving and harming the Ibo. For some the religion benefits them, but for others they are just a hassle. However, ultimately, it is not okay for them to be coming in and changing life as the Ibo knew it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite type of gum is polar ice.
The Ibo society is particularly vulnerable and rhetoric to the English colonists because of the lack of evidence, reason, knowledge, questioning, and truth they hold towards their beliefs. Because nothing is said contradicting what the "elderly" or "people in power" say, the beliefs or traditions being lies isn't an option. Nwoyes reasoning on "becoming one of them" was described as: "Nwoye did not fully understand. But he was happy to leave his father" (152). This shows how when things get bad, he must seek refuge. And, believing controversial beliefs to his horrible conditions cultural ones, provides comfort and hope for a new life-style. I think the missionaries are saving the Ibo society in that they are proving many of the people of Ibo's beliefs from ignorance to be lies. Being able to understand the right from the wrong, or what to believe and what not to, requires experience and a gain of knowledge from change. When nothing happened to the Church or the White missionaries as it was built on the "Evil Forest", it caused many to question their prior beliefs of death to be a result. Although the missionaries may cause chaos, questioning, and arouse contradiction, a change is needed in the Ibo society to allow truth to prevail and peace to be stronger. Today, we do not just simply believe any new idea because we have gained knowledge of the world and desire reasoning for truth. With a lack of knowledge comes a lack of ability to use reasoning to question truth, ultimately causing this Ibo society to simply believe what the "powerful people" claim is truth.
ReplyDeletePS. My favorite gum is Take 5- Spear Mint
The Ibo society is vulnerable to the English colonists because their entire faith system is built on actions that please and thank the gods. When these foreigners came, the Ibo believed that the gods would cast away there missionaries, and that they could continue life normally. However, as soon as their gods didn't kill off these people, the villagers began to question their faith. After all, when one lives their entire life following rules that they later find to be arbitrary, their trust and acceptance must dwindle. Nwoye was looking for something to believe in also, because he had witnessed the horrors that became a normal practice in the Ibo society of leaving twins in bushes. Ever since childhood he found this practice inhumane but until he knew that there was indeed another way to live life other than in this Ibo society, he remained loyal to his faith out of a need and a fear of the people around him. Questioning faith is the biggest vulnerability for any community that depends on faith. Belief systems are only powerful and useful if one believes them to be true, and if the belief system allows the believers to find meaning and comfort in the practices. For those of the Ibo that never found comfort in the tradition, they always believed in their truth. Now that the truth of these practices is compromised by these English colonists, those Ibo have no reason to believe in their belief system and find acceptance in Christianity.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite gum is Bazooka Joe bubble gum.
The Ibo society is particularly vulnerable to the English colonists’ religion and rhetoric because their beliefs are not based off of actual perceptible evidence. Their explanations usually come from their belief in the different spirits and gods. In Nwoye’s case, the new religion and rhetoric was “porued into his parched soul” (147) and gave him some sort of relief. Although he does not understand the foreign language that the missionaries speak, the hymns alone provide him with answers that the Ibo beliefs cannot explain. Also, the people in the Ibo society who dislike and are against the clan’s beliefs seek refuge in this newly introduced religion. Nneka had given birth to four pairs of twins who were all thrown away. She “fled to join the Christians” (151) because she knew that she would be more accepted and not have to suffer the pain of throwing away another child in the Christian society. The judgmental attitude that the clan has makes some people feel unwelcomed, and therefore turn to Christianity and the English colonists because they seem more accepting. I think that the missionaries are savaging the Ibo because even though there are clearly flaws in the Ibos’ beliefs, the Christian beliefs are also imperfect. The English colonists converting the Ibo people seem to be taking away their original culture and replacing it with westernized beliefs. Also, at one point, the converts are outlawed and not allowed access to the stream, quarry and markets. Ibo society splits up and even goes against their own kind because of the new ideas. Eventually, the colonists will be like the locusts that conquer all of the land and cause destruction.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite gum is Doublemint.
My favorite gum is watermelon.
ReplyDelete