Things Fall Apart, Chapters Seventeen, Eighteen, and Nineteen

The definition of religious conversion is a change in belief. For the British, the idea of the Ibo converting from their polytheistic religion to Christianity seems simple. For the Ibo, it is a whole different story. Their entire culture revolves around pleasing their gods and the avoidance of offending them. This belief system impacts everything about their lives including their politics, planting and harvest, and death. The converts struggle to truly and fully separate themselves from their gods, and the British missionaries struggle to empathize with this difficulty. But these are not the only conflicts that arise as the British work to establish a stronger foothold in the Ibo tribe.

Types of Conflict

In the next few chapters, you will witness conflict between Okonkwo and himself, society, and nature. Before you read further, review the types of conflict found in literature. In this interactivity, read the short introduction and click each tab to examine how the main character experiences both internal and external conflict. Click the player button to get started.

 

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Analysis

Chapters Seventeen, Eighteen, and Nineteen are all about conflict. The external conflicts of Man Versus Man and Man Versus Society revolve around the British missionaries attempting to convert the Ibo. This creates conflict among the villagers and within families. This external conflict then inflicts itself on Okonkwo as he has to deal with the “loss” of yet another son; Ikemefuna, who had become a son to him, was lost to a sacrifice. Now, in Okonkwo’s mind, he has lost his first-born son Nwoye as he converts to Christianity and Ikemefuna. This causes the tragic hero to spiral further downward into suffering: “immediately Okonkwo’s eyes were opened and he saw the whole matter clearly. Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.” The external and internal conflict for Okonkwo causes him to feel as if his culture is regressing rather than progressing. He sees a future filled with effeminate tribal members worshiping the Christian god rather than strong warriors worshiping the traditions of the Ibo.

 

Things Fall Apart, Chapters Seventeen, Eighteen, and Nineteen Review

It is time to test your knowledge about the events that unfolded in Chapters Seventeen, Eighteen, and Nineteen of Things Fall Apart. In this non-graded interactivity, read each statement and decide whether it is true or false. Then, select the appropriate answer and click SUBMIT. Click the player button to get started.