Topic > The depictions of imperialism in "Things Fall Apart" and "Heart of Darkness"

The depictions of imperialism in "Things Fall Apart" and "Heart of Darkness" contrast significantly. While Joseph Conrad describes expansionism as a raw power that deconstructs the people of savages and brutes. In contrast to Chinua, Achebe delineates imperialism as a savage power that deconstructs a refined and ancient culture. In things that fall apart, language is an essential component. It gives them a sense of identity and safeguards their way of life and their heritage. While this is an important factor, this was also their downfall. Because they refuse to send their children to lessons to learn English. While Igbo culture venerates power and virility, Okonkwo's conduct is hypermasculine and he displays fury. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. Okonkwo is known as "a man of action, a man of war", while the city of Umuofia is adaptable and negotiable. A large number of the characteristics that for Okonkwo were signs of deficiency are similar characteristics that were considered by the people. For example, despite the fact that Umuofia's laws are clear, the people "can adapt their code to accommodate less successful, even effeminate, men, like Okonkwo's father.", showing Umuofia's resilience where Okonkwo would never have could recognize this "weakness". Furthermore, where Okonkwo is impervious to change, Umuofia is more open and responsive, as later demonstrated by Umuofia's response to the evangelists contrasting with Okonkwo's. Making Okonkwo an outcast from the rest. Once the missionaries arrive in Umuofia, Okonkwo is totally reluctant to bargain: "He wept for the clan, which he saw disintegrate and fall to pieces, and he wept for the warlike men of Umuofia, who had done so. They become inexplicably tender as women". He views the group's efforts at coexistence as troubling and weak because it does not take an active role in eliminating what it perceives as a threat. When he opposed the messenger, Okonkwo massacred him with the expectation of starting a war against the missionaries, but instead the city rallied against him, when they asked, "For what reason did he do this?" The fall of Igbo culture and the fall of Okonkwo cannot be attributed to their strong belief system and deep-rooted cultural heritage alone. The aim of Things Fall Apart is to investigate the flaws of Igbo culture and also its qualities. Despite the fact that Achebe presents the reader with these flaws which add to the decimation of their way of life; the main explanation behind the downfall of the Igbo was caused by their inability and hesitation to learn English as they trusted that they would never need to apply it in their normal daily existence. Likewise, Westerners were more grounded than the Igbo in terms of respecting their progress in current life and education, they had a more grounded impact and furthermore a controlling force. The preachers used hostile method in taking control of Igbo decision making forces from its locals. They did this by spreading their beliefs and in the process dismantling conventional Igbo traditions and beliefs of the people. Thus, the missionaries were particularly superior to the Igbos just as the author explains. Westerners viewed the Igbo as an unrefined people in need of their help. Although the purpose of the missionaries entering Umuofia was to administer to his relatives. Due to colonization, the Igbo lost most of the qualities that integrated them as one; social intelligibility between.