Oppression renames its victims and brands them as a farmer brands his cattle with a common signature. In ‘Things Fall Apart,’ the missionaries served to divide Umuofia, weakening them and destroying their capacity to form a common front against the British colonizers. Yes, right now, they come bearing good tidings from God, but based on their history, it is perhaps fair to assume there is some hidden, sinister objective. Here Achebe explains the partial origin of his skepticism toward European missionaries. Does it matter, I ask mysel, … The Education of the British protected Child But I have also learned a little more scepticism about them than my father had any need for. My father had a lot of praise for the missionaries and their message, and so have I. Achebe’s ire was often drawn against those Western writers who perpetuated the idea that the Colonizers were motivated by some noble objective. He saw it for what it was, a selfish resource-grabbing exercise rather than one arising out of any altruistic or noble intentions. Education of the British Protected ChildĬhinua Achebe saw colonialism as a great evil. In my view, it is a gross crime for anyone to impose himself on another, to seize his land and his history, and then compound this by making out that the victim is some kind of ward or minor requiring protection. Yet again, Achebe seems to be contrasting Igbo philosophy with that of the West, but without holding either of them as superior. This encouragement to “cope” in marriage can be contrasted with Western ideals where divorce is encouraged. Here Achebe explains the Igbo penchant for difficult conflict resolution within the framework of mutual coexistence.
So, the Igbo do not ask you to meet it head-on with a placard, nor do they ask you to turn around and run away. Marriage is tough it is bigger than any man or woman. Achebe himself demonstrates this in the domestic abuse case judged by the Egwugwu in ‘ Things Fall Apart.’ The Egwugwu’s judgment reflects a desire to sustain peace and harmony between conflicting parties and did not entertain the thirst for blood or justice on the part of the belligerents. Here Achebe explains an underlying philosophy behind the traditional Igbo judicial system- one that also arises out of their sense of community as opposed to Western individualism. Education of the British Protected Child and other essays When the Igbo encounter human conflict, their first impulse is not to determine who is right but quickly to restore harmony. Find here some of his more important quotes.
He was a very exposed, learned, and wise individual with very insightful views about these subjects.
Achebe’s quotes generally concern his feelings about art, politics, Igbo culture, racist literature, literary criticism, and a host of other issues that preoccupied him throughout his lifetime.
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