his 112 unit -imperialisim paper

Running head: BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN NIGERIA 1

BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN NIGERIA 3

British Imperialism in Nigeria

Taha Gursoy

HIS 112

Professor Evans

23 Jan 2016

According to Okonkwo, the old traditional African days are gone and the whites are set to triumph. He cannot relent; he must keep on fighting even though it will not be beneficial to the villagers or even lead to self destruction. Okonkwo audacious defiance to imperialism is a terrene of resistance spreading across African countries as they resist colonization with them aim of being independent from European imperialism Achebe, (1986).

The Igbo are far from perfect human beings but have over years found peaceful ways of co-existing guided by their traditional beliefs, values, and morals which appear bewildering to the British. On the contrary, the ways of the British are bewildering to the Igbos. Africa’s tragedy is evidenced by Okonkwo’s tragedy because after seeing that he was to be doomed by the British ways, he chose his fate and committed suicide. He has given the title of the book significance as the readers are left to figure out if he has triumphed imperialism or not Achebe, (1986).

In the Igbos society, women are viewed as inferior creatures and are used to ridicule men exhibiting feminine characters. The British colonizers have no appreciation to the Igbo except viewing them as means of exploitation for material gain. Even thought the women are inferior in the society, the Igbo men value them. Mothers are seen as the protectors and keepers of homes and children. “Your mother is there to protect you and that is why we say that mother is supreme,” Uchedu says to Okonkwo. This shows that almost similar oppressive forces acting on Igbo society externally also exist internally Achebe, (1986).

British imperialism brought about destruction to the Igbo as their traditional culture was shuttered and their land was seized leaving them with little resources. Chinua Achebe succeeded in showing the plight of Africans through the book “Things Fall Apart”.

Reference

Achebe, C. (1986). Things Fall Apart. Portsmouth, NH, and Oxford, England: Heine-mann.