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A review by angelsrgorgeous
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
3.0
Simple and honest.
I always find it so funny that westerners truly feel that we are accepting and open to other cultures, but simultaneously are so assured that we occupy the world's "top slot" in terms of our culture's value. No culture's motto is "YEAH - we're number TWO!" If we're truly open to other cultures, why don't we seriously study any history other than European in our our schools? Generally, the only way we touch on other cultures in our schools is under the shadow of colonialism, as is well illustrated by this widely read book.
Why don't we learn about the incredible achievements and discoveries made in Asia, the Middle East, etc, during the centuries of Europe's dark ages? Why do we feel we have learned "enough" about other cultures after having only glanced over them from the perspective of why they fell to the Europeans, having not appreciated or studied them for their own merits?
While this was a wonderful book, I feel it could be understood to further feed this ethnocentrism. In truly considering whether this book would ever be read in schools of the Western world if it hadn't bowed to colonialism in the second half, I feel the answer is obviously no, and I find that a bit sad. At least Achebe's approach (I find his appeal to "White Guilt" very intelligent), ensured that readers get a watered down version of appreciation for these small tribes and their way of life.
A beautiful and simply written account that is definitely worth reading - I just felt the need to comment on how it raised this larger issue.
I always find it so funny that westerners truly feel that we are accepting and open to other cultures, but simultaneously are so assured that we occupy the world's "top slot" in terms of our culture's value. No culture's motto is "YEAH - we're number TWO!" If we're truly open to other cultures, why don't we seriously study any history other than European in our our schools? Generally, the only way we touch on other cultures in our schools is under the shadow of colonialism, as is well illustrated by this widely read book.
Why don't we learn about the incredible achievements and discoveries made in Asia, the Middle East, etc, during the centuries of Europe's dark ages? Why do we feel we have learned "enough" about other cultures after having only glanced over them from the perspective of why they fell to the Europeans, having not appreciated or studied them for their own merits?
While this was a wonderful book, I feel it could be understood to further feed this ethnocentrism. In truly considering whether this book would ever be read in schools of the Western world if it hadn't bowed to colonialism in the second half, I feel the answer is obviously no, and I find that a bit sad. At least Achebe's approach (I find his appeal to "White Guilt" very intelligent), ensured that readers get a watered down version of appreciation for these small tribes and their way of life.
A beautiful and simply written account that is definitely worth reading - I just felt the need to comment on how it raised this larger issue.