The Role of Family and Social Expectations in No Longer at Ease and Things Fall Apart: Comparing How Characters Navigate Familial Responsibilities in a Changing World
Family and social expectations play central roles in both No Longer at Ease and Things Fall Apart, shaping the decisions and struggles of the characters. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo’s relationship with his family is primarily influenced by his desire to maintain his social standing and uphold the ideals of masculinity. He imposes strict discipline on his family members and seeks to ensure that his children live up to his expectations. His family is a reflection of his adherence to traditional values, and his relationship with them is shaped by the pressures of maintaining honor within his community.
In No Longer at Ease, Obi Okonkwo’s familial responsibilities are more complex. While he strives to make his family proud and live up to their expectations, he also feels the pressure of balancing his Western education and career with the traditional values of his parents. Obi’s choice to pursue a career in the British colonial government puts him at odds with his family’s expectations, as they want him to marry according to traditional customs and pursue a life in service to his community. Obi’s relationship with his family reflects the generational divide caused by colonial influence, where personal ambition clashes with cultural obligations.
Achebe explores how both generations must navigate the expectations of their families while grappling with the pressures of colonialism. In Okonkwo’s case, the expectations of tradition dominate his familial relationships, while Obi’s struggle reflects the complexities of balancing two worlds—traditional Africa and colonial modernity.
6. The Clash of Traditional Values and Modernity in No Longer at Ease and Things Fall Apart: Analyzing the Generational Divide and the Impact of Westernization
The clash between traditional African values and modernity, particularly in the form of Westernization, is a central theme in both No Longer at Ease and Things Fall Apart. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo’s life is deeply rooted in the traditional values of his community, where masculinity, honor, and respect for ancestors are paramount. The arrival of Western missionaries and colonialists challenges these values, leading to the disintegration of the social fabric and the erosion of traditions that had once held the community together.
In No Longer at Ease, Obi Okonkwo represents the younger generation caught between the pull of traditional values and the influence of Western education and ideals. Having been educated in England, Obi finds himself adopting modern, Western ideas of individualism, progress, and success. However, his return to Nigeria, where he is expected to live up to his family’s and community’s traditional expectations, forces him to confront the tensions between his new identity and the expectations of his heritage.
Through both protagonists, Achebe explores how colonialism introduces modernity that disrupts and fractures traditional African cultures. In Okonkwo’s case, the destruction of traditional values leads to his downfall, while Obi’s internal struggle represents the generational divide in the wake of colonial influence. Both characters grapple with the impact of Westernization, showing how the collision of traditional and modern values reshapes their lives and identities.