Things Fall Apart: Redeeming African Culture

All of the individuals interviewed in the video spoke of Achebe's novel with great appreciation and passion. Although these individuals came from different backgrounds (some were college professors, some were African American, others were European), each had been able to gain valuable insight and knowledge from the novel. I was especially impressed by the commentary of the Middle Eastern woman who praised Things Fall Apart for giving the world a rare glimpse of true African culture and shared how she longed to encounter a similar work that would shed light on her own cultural roots. Achebe's novel has the potential to to stir each person's curiousity about their personal histories and roots.

Throughout the video, the novel's accurate and detailed portrayal of life in a Nigerian village was applauded. Learning about Achebe's early life and European education increased my respect and awe for this novelist's work. Clearly, he made the conscious, mature decision to educate himself on his African culture since his early education focused on European culture.

One of the men on the video clarified that the novel was not anti-Christian or anti-European but rather sought to depict the changes caused by imperialism in a faithful, realistic fashion. Achebe's goal was not to attack European culture and place African culture on a pedestal but rather to point out the weaknesses and strengths of both. However, an important goal was to redeem African culture from the low status assigned to it by novelists such as Joseph Conrad.

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