The theme of Igbo culture clashing with European colonialism in 'Things Fall Apart' is evidenced by the arrival of European missionaries and the imposition of a colonial government. These events disrupt the traditional Igbo way of life and belief systems, highlighting the conflict between the two cultures. Chinua Achebe discusses these themes and their universal resonance in an interview featured in 'The Atlantic'.
The clash between Igbo culture and European colonialism is indeed a central theme in Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart. While specific page numbers may vary depending on the edition of the book, two pieces of evidence to support this theme are as follows:
- The arrival of European missionaries in the Igbo society and their attempts to convert the Igbo people to Christianity represents a direct clash of belief systems. This is evident when Mr. Brown, the first missionary, arrives in Umuofia and opens a church, challenging and partly undermining the Igbo spiritual beliefs and societal norms.
- The imposition of colonial government on the Igbo people showcases the political and social upheaval caused by European control. The ultimate symbol of this is when Okonkwo, the protagonist, finds himself powerless against the new structures and ideologies imposed by the colonialists, ultimately leading to the novel's tragic conclusion.
In Achebe's own words, as quoted in The Atlantic, 'the historic legacy of colonialism' and the need to 'first see ourselves independently and then about others' are significant factors that influenced the writing of this novel and the themes within it. He recognized that the story of dispossession and cultural collision due to colonialism had a universal resonance, which not only defined Igbo history but also found relevance in the history of other colonized cultures.