Things Fall Apart Chapters 5-6: The Banana Tree

"'Who killed this tree? Or are you all deaf and dumb?' As a matter of fact the tree was very much alive. Okonkwo's second wife had merely cut a few leaves off it to wrap some food, and she said so. Without further argument Okonkwo gave her a sound beating and left her and her only daughter weeping" (Achebe 38).

Part II​ - ​How is imperialism​ encouraged by patriotism​, religion​, &/or a sense of cultural​/ racial superiority ​in Chinua Achebe’s ​Things Fall Apart​ ​/ the past​.

Imperialists think that their ways are superior and that it is their duty to enlighten those who they think have primitive beliefs. They see what they want to see in order to have a justification for their actions. In this chapter of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo was angry and looking for something to take it out on, and eventually settled on the subject of a "dead" banana tree. The tree was perfectly healthy; it was simply missing the few leaves that his second wife had used to wrap food. Okonkwo then decided to beat her for "killing the tree." Just like an imperialist, Okonkwo thinks that he is superior and always right. The tree was fine, but since he thought something was wrong with it, it must be dead. Also, Okonkwo saw what he wanted to see so he would have a valid excuse (in his mind) to take out his anger by beating his wife. Even though the other wives wanted to say something to defend the second wife, they were too afraid, so they stayed quiet. This is another parallel to imperialism because usually the inhabitants of the country being invaded by imperialists are too weak or too scared to fight back. Imperialism is encouraged by Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart through his feelings of superiority.

Things Fall Apart Chapters 3-4: The Week of Peace

"To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength" (Achebe 28).

Prompt Part I: According to the text, what effect did Imperialism had on the people who lived through it?

Imperialism eradicates the cultures and beliefs of the countries that fall victim to it. The invaders show no weakness. Instead, they assert their power and force the citizens of their conquered countries to fulfill their every wish. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is an imperialist. He is feared by everyone who knows of him, and constantly searches for ways to display his power. He shows no compassion or love for his wives or children. He often berates and beats them in an attempt to exercise control over them and exhibit his power. Imperialists think they are superior, just like Okonkwo. Okonkwo completely disregarded the traditions of the Week of Peace by beating his wife, showing that he feels he is above the other villagers and that he thinks the rules do not apply to him. He uses his wealth and power to get out of the situation by simply fulfilling the priest's demands, refusing to let the others see the remorse he feels for his actions. Finally, imperialism effected the people who lived through it because it made them afraid and took away some of their freedom. The other villagers lived in fear of Okonkwo, and put a great deal of effort to make sure they acted in a way that did not upset him.

Things Fall Apart Chapters 1-2: The Threat of War

"An ultimatum was immediately dispatched to Mbaino asking them to choose between war on the one hand, and on the other the offer of a young man and a virgin as compensation" (Achebe 11).

Prompt Part II: How is imperialism encouraged by patriotism, religion, and/or a sense of cultural/ racial superiority in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart/the past?

Despite being a part of the same country, the clans of Mbaino and Umuofia were not allies. The powerful Umuofia made its neighbors anxious. This led to tense relations between the clans, and war was common. When a woman from Umuofia was murdered by the people of Mbaino, Umuofia threatened Mbaino with a war unless the Mbaino turned over a young man and a virgin. Umuofia was so threatening and powerful, that the Mbaino chose to send two of their people to Umuofia in order to avoid war. Umuofia's sense of superiority encouraged imperialism because they were able to hold their power over the other clans to spread their influence throughout the country. By using fear, Umuofia was able to persuade the other clans to do whatever they wanted, because no one wanted to go to war with the powerful Umuofia. Imperialism is all about a nation spreading its culture and ideas, that they feel are superior, to new places that they think have primitive beliefs. Powerful nations infiltrate small ones and control them, forcing their beliefs onto the population as a result. Umuofia does just this by using their threatening power to assert their dominance over the surrounding clans.