The Impact of the White Men in Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart'

TLDRIn Part three chapter 21 of Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart,' the white men bring changes to the clan, such as the trading store and money. Mr. Brown, the white missionary, builds a hospital and a school, emphasizing the importance of education. The villagers start sending their children to the school, acknowledging the new religion and embracing the changes. Okonkwo, however, feels that the clan has become weak and emasculated.

Key insights

💡The white men introduced changes that were appreciated by the clan, such as the trading store and money flowing into the village.

📚Mr. Brown, the white missionary, emphasized the importance of education and built a school and a hospital.

🏛️Families started sending their children to the missionary school, believing that education would lead to leadership.

🌍The presence of the white men and their religion began to reshape the village, making it unrecognizable to Okonkwo.

💔Okonkwo mourns the changes and feels that the clan has become weak and influenced by outsiders.

Q&A

What changes did the white men bring to the clan in 'Things Fall Apart'?

The white men brought changes such as the trading store and money flowing into the village.

What did Mr. Brown, the white missionary, do in the village?

Mr. Brown built a hospital and a school, emphasizing the importance of education.

Why did families start sending their children to the missionary school?

Families believed that education would lead to future leadership in the clan.

How did the presence of the white men reshape the village?

The village became unrecognizable to Okonkwo, as the white men's religion and influence started to prevail.

How does Okonkwo feel about the changes brought by the white men?

Okonkwo mourns the changes and believes that the clan has become weak and influenced by outsiders.

Timestamped Summary

00:09In Part three chapter 21 of 'Things Fall Apart,' the white men bring changes appreciated by the clan, such as the trading store and money flowing into the village.

00:19Mr. Brown, the white missionary, builds a hospital and a school, highlighting the significance of education.

00:31Families start sending their children to the missionary school, believing it would lead to future leadership in the clan.

01:41The presence of the white men and their religion begins to reshape the village, making it unrecognizable to Okonkwo.

02:34Okonkwo mourns the changes and feels that the clan has become weak and influenced by outsiders.