The Allegory of Colonisation

(Re) Theorizing Dehumanization in Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart"

Abstract

This paper examines symbolism in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart to unravel the two faces of colonisation in Africa. In Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, colonisation, on the one hand, is a symbol of conquest, subjugation and marginalisation of Umuofia clan and Igbo society by West and arguably, on the other hand, a symbol of the similar process for Africa. Therefore, this paper uses Historicism as an ideological praxis to examine the Umuofia-Igbo’s colonial encounter with the West while drawing some parallelism to Africa’s colonisation by the West. Artistically, Achebe has delved into the history to present colonial encounter with Africa, especially the Umuofia-Igbo society, the latter’s reactions to this crippling process and the far-reaching consequences on its social, political and economic organisation. In Achebe’s thinking, reflections and presentation “Things Fell Apart” for Umuofia-Igbo in the aftermath of this encounter. This paper contends that Africa’s encounter with the West from the late 18th century to the early 20th century is a similar narrative. Thus, Achebe utilizes proverbs, allegorical forms and anecdotes among other stylistic devices to underline symbolism to advance the colonisation narrative in Umuofia-Igbo and Africa at large. Indeed, the focus of this paper in most part is on the allegory of colonialism: The Double Edged Symbolism of Colonisation in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Ultimately, the paper reiterates its central argument that colonisation in whatever form is racist, exploitative, impoverishing and dehumanizing to the colonized.