I can remember reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe in the Mrs. Eisel's 10th grade AP English class. I was excited because it was the first book we'd be reading with a little "culture", a nice change from the stale storylines of the Scarlet Letter and Les Mis, however interesting they may have been. At least, that was how I felt at the time, mostly in excitement that we would be reading a book about Africa! And anyone who knows me and knew me then, knows my exaggerated interest in all things Africa.
What impressed me most about the book outside of learning about the Igbo culture, was the criticism it offered of the "the white man" (missionary/colonialists) present in the area. It was simple, but its something not often or accurately discussed in today's time. This occurrence of missionaries and the Bible then being used as a tool to tame the evil African mind is a point in Africa's history which still gives me great discomfort. This finding meant something even more for me being of African descent in America and one of few blacks in a predominantly white classroom. For the novel to show this new perspective on what history had previously and incorrectly assured us, including the showing of wealth, power, and an uninhibited display of the ideologies of the Igbo people was very nice to see and I enjoyed it.
What I did not appreciate from the story, however, was the ending... perhaps the general direction the storyline. But that was from an entertainment perspective. Once the narrative began going south for Okonkwo, I couldn't hang. I wanted him to win so badly. I identified with him and all his complexities. I wanted him to win not only because he needed to win, but because I also needed to win. You know how that goes.
Perhaps I identified too much with the characters in the novel for obvious reasons. Perhaps I wanted more out of the book, than necessary. The point however was there from the beginning... things fall apart. And boy did things fall apart. I just wanted to say that.
This is in no way a literary critique of the book, Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe. Only my memories from a time ago... Wow has it really been 10 years since I was in high school. Incredible.
This post is related to the recent passing of Chinua Achebe, who died in Boston at the age of 82.
What impressed me most about the book outside of learning about the Igbo culture, was the criticism it offered of the "the white man" (missionary/colonialists) present in the area. It was simple, but its something not often or accurately discussed in today's time. This occurrence of missionaries and the Bible then being used as a tool to tame the evil African mind is a point in Africa's history which still gives me great discomfort. This finding meant something even more for me being of African descent in America and one of few blacks in a predominantly white classroom. For the novel to show this new perspective on what history had previously and incorrectly assured us, including the showing of wealth, power, and an uninhibited display of the ideologies of the Igbo people was very nice to see and I enjoyed it.
What I did not appreciate from the story, however, was the ending... perhaps the general direction the storyline. But that was from an entertainment perspective. Once the narrative began going south for Okonkwo, I couldn't hang. I wanted him to win so badly. I identified with him and all his complexities. I wanted him to win not only because he needed to win, but because I also needed to win. You know how that goes.
Perhaps I identified too much with the characters in the novel for obvious reasons. Perhaps I wanted more out of the book, than necessary. The point however was there from the beginning... things fall apart. And boy did things fall apart. I just wanted to say that.
This is in no way a literary critique of the book, Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe. Only my memories from a time ago... Wow has it really been 10 years since I was in high school. Incredible.
This post is related to the recent passing of Chinua Achebe, who died in Boston at the age of 82.
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