The Impact of Colonization on the Individual in No Longer at Ease and Things Fall Apart: A Comparison of How Colonization Affects Personal Lives and Choices
The Impact of Colonization on the Individual in No Longer at Ease and Things Fall Apart: A Comparison of How Colonization Affects Personal Lives and Choices
In both No Longer at Ease and Things Fall Apart, Achebe examines the profound impact of colonization on the personal lives and choices of the characters. In Things Fall Apart, colonization wreaks havoc on the traditional Igbo society, with individuals like Okonkwo struggling to maintain their identity in the face of foreign influence. Okonkwo’s sense of self is deeply rooted in his community’s customs and the values of strength and honor, yet the encroachment of European powers forces him to confront a world he cannot control, leading to his eventual tragic downfall.
In No Longer at Ease, Obi Okonkwo represents a generation shaped by colonization and Westernization. Educated in England, Obi returns to Nigeria as part of the British colonial government. His decision to pursue this career is influenced by the opportunities created by colonization, but it also places him at odds with his family’s traditional values. The pressures of colonial rule impact Obi’s personal choices, especially his relationship with his heritage, his family’s expectations, and his role in society. While Obi has the freedom to choose his future, he is constantly weighed down by the legacy of colonialism, making personal choices fraught with complications.
Both novels highlight how colonization shapes individual lives, identities, and decisions, often forcing characters into positions where they must reconcile conflicting allegiances between their cultural heritage and the influence of the colonial powers.
