Final answer:
The final paragraphs of 'Things Fall Apart' suggest the Igbo men's evolving opinion of white men, shaped by the adverse effects of colonization. Achebe highlights the story's resonance with global audiences who share similar histories, emphasizing the cultural and social costs of colonialism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The final paragraphs of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe reveal that the Igbo men's opinion of the white men evolved over time. Initially, they might have been surprised or intrigued by the newcomers, but as the impact of colonization became apparent, their views likely shifted to resentment or disillusionment. This is underscored by Achebe's broader discussion on the resonance of his book across different cultures that have experienced colonization, like a girls' college in South Korea, showing a shared understanding of displacement and the consequences of being colonized. The Igbo people, like many others, had to grapple with the loss of their culture, autonomy, and history as a result of the colonial encounter.
Colonialism's influence on history writing has often pushed indigenous perspectives to the margins, promoting the narratives that justify the colonizer's actions and belittle the colonized—it perpetuates the myth of the 'civilizing mission' and often neglects the voices and experiences of the indigenous populations. Achebe's work aims to counteract this by providing a narrative from the Igbo viewpoint, thereby restoring some balance to the historical record and acknowledging the price of colonialism as not only economic but also cultural and social.