A 、Okonkwo's characteristics: A Tragic hero B 、The struggle for identity C 、The transformation of lgbo's society A: Okonkwo's characteristics: A tragic hero

The Reflection on the Impact of Colonialism and realpolitik
【Abstract】
The reflection of people on the impact of Colonialism and realpolitik is
always the hot issue of the literature. So is the 《Things Fall Apart》，so
from this book，I want to research the human’s behaviors in front of the
great changes between the culture and moral.
【Keywords】
Colonialism, Human behaviors, Cultural Conflict, Postcolonial Theory
【Introduction】
A、Okonkwo’s characteristics: A Tragic hero
B、The struggle for identity
C、The transformation of lgbo’s society
A: Okonkwo’s characteristics : A tragic hero
The main character Okonkwo end his life by hanging himself from a tree.
According to the novel, we can learn from the description from people in
tribe that this way is not recognized，such as the words like“ his death is
evil” “contaminate the ground”. During the process of reading, firstly,
from my opinion, it’s because the invasion and insult of colonist. After
the further reading, I found the invasion of the colonist is an external
factor. The deep reason of his suicide is the collapse of the culture and
morality in tribe. What’s more, his fractious temper also contributes his
death.
At the beginning of the novel, the author cites Yeats’ saying, “Things fall
apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”
This saying lays the foundation of the tragedy of Okonkwo’s fate.
Okonkwo’s appearance indirectly shows his character and his temper.
Obviously, he is not inherently bad，but he is too afraid of being
defeated and the scary of death. According to the paragraph, although
Okonkwo is young, he is one of the most potential people in tribe.
The messenger's voice shattered the tranquility than the story begins.He
hated his father who is a person of no achievements, so he correct the son
through scolding and beating, thus leading to another mistake. So, we can
summarize Okonkwo as a brave man who always chases for power and
strength.
B【The struggle for identity】

Despite Okonkwo's many positive qualities, he also has a significant
flaw. As we said before, He is chasing for power and strength
specifically, which means he is terrified of weakness. However, this leads
him to be intolerant of any form of weakness, including his own and that
of others. This fear ultimately leads to his downfall. He lives in a
changeable society. So He is forced to confront the impact of foreign
cultures and religions, which threaten his way of life and beliefs.
Okonkwo's story ends with his suicide, the culmination of his tragic
destiny. Unable to accept his exile and loss of dignity, he chooses self-
destruction.
In "Things Fall Apart," the struggle for identity is a central and prominent
theme, reflecting the tumultuous journey of the Igbo people as they
confront the encroaching forces of colonialism. The novel, through the
life of Okonkwo, illustrates the intense internal and external conflicts that
arise when traditional values clash with foreign ideologies.
The struggle of the new religion and social structures is evident. It is
introduced by the white colonizers. The Igbo, once unified by their shared
customs and beliefs was divided into two parts. Some are drawn to the
new ways, while others, like Okonkwo, vehemently resist. This division
represents the broader struggle of a society trying to maintain its cultural
integrity in the face of external pressures.
Okonkwo's personal struggle is particularly poignant. He is a man whose
identity is deeply rooted in the Igbo's traditional values of masculinity
and success. As these values are challenged by the colonizers, Okonkwo
experiences a crisis of identity, struggling to reconcile his past with the
rapidly changing world around him. His inability to adapt and the tragic
consequences of his resistance underscore the profound personal cost of
this struggle.
Achebe's narrative highlights the struggle as a multifaceted conflict that is
not only between the Igbo and the colonizers but also within the Igbo
community itself. It is a struggle between the old and the new, between
preserving cultural heritage and embracing change, and between
individual and collective identities.
C【The transformation of lgbo’s society】
Obviously, the character Okonkwo deeply reflects traditional Igbo culture
and values, which leads to his conflict with a changing world.He couldn’t
adapt to the new social order ultimately leads to his failure.

Achebe weaves a narrative wonderfully that captures the essence of Igbo
society before the arrival of the colonizers. Okonkwo's life is deeply
rooted in the traditional values of bravery, hard work, and the importance
of communal harmony. However, as the novel said, the Igbo society
begins to crumble under the weight of foreign ideologies and practices.
The transformation is not merely a shift in power or governance; it is a
deep cultural upheaval. Achebe illustrates the disintegration of Igbo
traditions and the psychological impact on its people. The description of
Christianity and Western education challenges the Igbo's belief system,
leading to a crisis of identity and a loss of cultural heritage.
Through Okonkwo's struggle, Achebe explores the complexities of
cultural identity and the devastating effects of colonialism on indigenous
societies. The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit
about transformation, and a critique of the destructive nature of colonial
intrusion.
【Feelings】
Okonkwo's image as a tragic hero is complex, and his story explores the
conflicts between the individual and society, tradition and change, and
how these conflicts shape a person's destiny. Through the character of
Okonkwo, Achebe illustrates how a hero struggles in adversity and

ultimately succumbs to his own inner fears and the pressures of the
external world.
In a nutshell, from Achebe’s novel, I’ve learned a lot. According to the
details in novel, I’ve learned the culture and traditions of Igbo society
which let me feel the vitality and order of this community, laying the
solid foundation of further reading.
"Disintegration" is not only a description of a society, but also a profound
discussion of human nature, cultural conflicts and identity. It shows us
that no matter how the times change, mankind's pursuit of self-identity is
eternal. At the same time, the novel also reminds us of the importance of
respecting and understanding different cultures, and how to protect and
develop our cultural traditions in the context of globalization. So, I think
it’s a precious opportunity for me to know about the novel and the author:
Achebe.I can deeply feel the charm of the African novel , and I will read
Achebe’s other novels in African Trilogy.

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The Reflection on the Impact of Colonialism and realpolitik

The reflection of people on the impact of Colonialism and realpolitik is

great changes between the culture and moral.

Colonialism, Human behaviors, Cultural Conflict, Postcolonial Theory

A、Okonkwo’s characteristics: A Tragic hero

B、The struggle for identity

C、The transformation of lgbo’s society

A: Okonkwo’s characteristics : A tragic hero

the further reading, I found the invasion of the colonist is an external

This saying lays the foundation of the tragedy of Okonkwo’s fate.

Okonkwo’s appearance indirectly shows his character and his temper.

Obviously, he is not inherently bad，but he is too afraid of being

defeated and the scary of death. According to the paragraph, although

Okonkwo is young, he is one of the most potential people in tribe.

hated his father who is a person of no achievements, so he correct the son

B【The struggle for identity】

flaw. As we said before, He is chasing for power and strength

specifically, which means he is terrified of weakness. However, this leads

of others. This fear ultimately leads to his downfall. He lives in a

changeable society. So He is forced to confront the impact of foreign

theme, reflecting the tumultuous journey of the Igbo people as they

confront the encroaching forces of colonialism. The novel, through the

arise when traditional values clash with foreign ideologies.

The struggle of the new religion and social structures is evident. It is

integrity in the face of external pressures.

Okonkwo's personal struggle is particularly poignant. He is a man whose

identity is deeply rooted in the Igbo's traditional values of masculinity

and success. As these values are challenged by the colonizers, Okonkwo

experiences a crisis of identity, struggling to reconcile his past with the

consequences of his resistance underscore the profound personal cost of

Achebe's narrative highlights the struggle as a multifaceted conflict that is

preserving cultural heritage and embracing change, and between

individual and collective identities.

C【The transformation of lgbo’s society】

Obviously, the character Okonkwo deeply reflects traditional Igbo culture

adapt to the new social order ultimately leads to his failure.

society before the arrival of the colonizers. Okonkwo's life is deeply

of communal harmony. However, as the novel said, the Igbo society

begins to crumble under the weight of foreign ideologies and practices.

The transformation is not merely a shift in power or governance; it is a

deep cultural upheaval. Achebe illustrates the disintegration of Igbo

traditions and the psychological impact on its people. The description of

Christianity and Western education challenges the Igbo's belief system,

leading to a crisis of identity and a loss of cultural heritage.

Through Okonkwo's struggle, Achebe explores the complexities of

cultural identity and the devastating effects of colonialism on indigenous

societies. The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit

about transformation, and a critique of the destructive nature of colonial

how these conflicts shape a person's destiny. Through the character of

Okonkwo, Achebe illustrates how a hero struggles in adversity and

In a nutshell, from Achebe’s novel, I’ve learned a lot. According to the

solid foundation of further reading.

"Disintegration" is not only a description of a society, but also a profound

discussion of human nature, cultural conflicts and identity. It shows us

that no matter how the times change, mankind's pursuit of self-identity is

respecting and understanding different cultures, and how to protect and

develop our cultural traditions in the context of globalization. So, I think

Achebe’s other novels in African Trilogy.

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