Since 1880s up to the 1890s was period of ‘scramble for Africa’. It was fundamental period to the age of imperialism where the European became greedy for natural resources of Africa. They came to Africa with wicked intention to take over the land. And it didn’t take long time for white missionaries to dominate African’s social, politic, and economics. When they came there, they claimed that they wanted to do humanitarian act that was making primitive African becoming civilized society.
They regarded that Europe as the central of civilization and humanity. They called it as Eurocentric view of the world. The white missionaries though that European culture was superior, so that The non-whites were seen as inferior society. That’s why Achebe
The oldest men, whose wisdom and knowledge are trusted in the power of their ancestral gods to guide them to give fair and unbiased ruling, lead the court of the village. Unfortunately when the white missionaries come, they replace all the rule of Igbo court with theirs. So that they lose chance to learn about Igbo’s history, system of justice and culture. It is actually a fatal mistake done by the white missionaries, because it causes misunderstanding between Igbo and the missionaries.
In some ways, Igbo looks more civilized than the missionaries. In Igbo courts, the two parties that involved will be given the chance to tell their story before giving punishment. It is on the contrary to the white missionaries courts. For instance, Okonkwo beats up his youngest wife during the Week of Peace (Achebe 124). The Igbo courts let the wife to take matter before courts, although Okonkow is not found guilty for beating his wife in the end, but for doing so during the Week of Peace where acts of violence are not
CONCLUSION
In summary the purpose of writing things fall apart is to explore the strength and imperfection of Igbo culture. Achebe wants to tell that the main reason for the fall of Igbo is because of their inability and reluctance to learn English. Another reason is because the missionaries were stronger than the Igbo regarding their progression in modern day life and education.
The exchange of culture between white missionaries and the Igbo gives more advantages for the Igbo. Through the arrival of white missionaries to their village, the Igbo become aware of existence of mankind outside Umuofia. The white missionaries also introduce education to the Igbo so that it helps them to learn knowledge and today most Igbo are literate