The downfall of Ibo society is a product of both the white man’s external influence and increasing internal disunity. The situation is similar to that of a tragic hero whose tragic fall is necessitated only by the combination of a tragic flaw in his character and the uncontrollable forces working against him.

Colonialism by white missionaries left evident negative effects and change on Igbo society. European colonialism efforts destroy families, friendships and peace between the tribes. Igbo people are reliant on their language to differentiate them from other cultures as similar to many other types of societies.

Ultimately, the British changed the political atmosphere of the Igbo people, most effectively through the use of Christianity as a persuasive tool. With these new tools and ideologies, the Igbo people began to search for a concrete, ethnic identity, which would eventually cause conflicts with other Nigerian peoples.

Base your answer on your understanding of Things Fall Apart. Long absences away from the family also caused complete disruption of family life in which each member had a certain social as well as economic role cut out for him or her.

Key Questions and Answers Ogbuefi Ezeudu, a village elder, warns Okonkwo that he should not kill Ikemefuna because Ikemefuna regards Okonkwo as his father and to kill him would be a sin.

In calling himself a “shivering old woman,” Okonkwo associates weakness with femininity. Although he denigrates his emotional attachment to Ikemefuna, he seeks comfort in his affectionate friendship with Obierika. Ezinma is likewise a source of great comfort to him.

Just as Okonkwo sees Ezinma as possessing the strength of a boy, Ekwefi sees Ezinma as possessing the maturity of a peer. Ezinma’s status as an equal to the parents rather than a subordinate child signifies just how exceptional her reputation is in Umuofia.