Things fall apart compare mr brown and reverend smith. Things Fall Apart Chapters 20 & 21 Summary & Analysis 2022-10-13
Things fall apart compare mr brown and reverend smith Rating:
8,3/10
1834
reviews
In Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart," the characters of Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith serve as contrasting representations of colonialism and its effects on indigenous cultures. Mr. Brown, a Christian missionary, and Reverend Smith, a representative of the British government, represent two different facets of the colonizing force that ultimately leads to the destabilization of the Igbo society.
Mr. Brown is initially depicted as a well-intentioned but naive individual who is dedicated to spreading the Gospel and converting the Igbo people to Christianity. He is patient and understanding, and he tries his best to learn about the customs and traditions of the Igbo people. However, Mr. Brown is ultimately unable to fully grasp the complexity of the Igbo culture and the impact of his actions on the community. He is unable to see the harm that his efforts to convert the Igbo people to Christianity causes, as it undermines the traditional beliefs and practices of the Igbo.
In contrast, Reverend Smith is portrayed as a more insidious and ruthless figure. He is primarily interested in advancing the interests of the British Empire and sees the Igbo people as nothing more than pawns in his quest for power and control. Unlike Mr. Brown, Reverend Smith has little interest in understanding or respecting the Igbo culture. He is willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, including force and intimidation.
Ultimately, the actions of both Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith contribute to the destabilization of the Igbo society. Mr. Brown's efforts to convert the Igbo people to Christianity ultimately lead to a rift within the community and a loss of cultural identity. On the other hand, Reverend Smith's ruthless pursuit of power and control leads to the suppression of the Igbo people and the destruction of their way of life.
In conclusion, "Things Fall Apart" portrays the contrasting characters of Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith as representing different facets of colonialism and its impact on indigenous cultures. While Mr. Brown is depicted as a well-intentioned but naive individual, Reverend Smith is portrayed as a ruthless and power-hungry figure. Both characters contribute to the destabilization of the Igbo society and the loss of cultural identity.
Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith in “Things Fall Apart”
They are harsh and arrogant, and Okonkwo cannot believe that his clan has not driven the white men and their church out. These characteristics make Obierika a foil to the more impulsive Okonkwo. The clan retaliates against the Christians by doing the same thing that Enoch did—they destroy the symbol of Christianity by burning down the church. Due to his conversations with Akunna and his realization that direct confrontation with the clan would not be successful, Mr. He does not attempt to coerce the clan forcefully into his way of thinking, but rather works with them, respecting their tradition and helping them to build. Brown and Reverend James Smith Both Mr. His second wife Ekwefi is arguably his favorite of all of his wives, and her daughter is by far his favorite child.
The comparison of Mr. Brown, Mr. Smith and District Commissioner
The name Chukwuka means Chukwu is Supreme, demonstrating Browns respect for traditional Igbo religion. Chielo Chielo is the priestess of Agbala and the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves. In essence he had not come to the land of Nigeria with people to rule but he had come with the system required to create smooth governance. He is sensitive, troubled by some Umuofian practices, and is drawn to music, hope, and the poetry of the new religion, Christianity. Brown was careful to respect the Igbo beliefs, but Reverend Smith seems to have much less respect for these customs and instills this same irreverence in his followers. He spoke in his sermons about sheep and goats and about wheat and tares. He also sees the first converts to Christianity as unmasculine.
How are Mr Brown and Mr Smith similar in things fall apart?
Instead, he shares similarities with the kinder, gentler Unoka. Achebe writes that Mr. Need help with comparing and contrasting the two? The narrator introduces the white missionary Mr. Smith is distressed to find that Mr. Smith's attitude is dangerous and causes much tension and strife among the clan members.
Ekwefi is forty-five years old in Things Fall Apart and has suffered a great deal: nine out of ten of her children died in infancy. Brown was kind and gentle, Mr. Brown witnesses through a calm nature. Brown makes the decision to go see Okonkwo when he returns from exile because Mr. There really were colonists and missionaries who acted this way - unfortunately, many more acted this way than didn't. Brown advises that the Igbos should be able to rule themselves Akers.
He is not liked within the village because of his refusal to understand Umuofian customs or beliefs. Reverend Smith demands that Igbo clansmen who convert to Christianity reject all indigenous beliefs. Sorrowfully, Okonkwo observes that the white man is very shrewd because he came in peace and appeared to have only benevolent interests in the Africans, who thus permitted him to stay. A foil to Okonkwo, Unoka was not a successful or respected man. Brown crashes, tries to free the car the bumpers were locked in the collision , and then passes away. Brown has discussed religion with the Umuofians and tried to explain Christianity in terms of their own ideas, rather than teaching them about such matters as the Trinity and the Sacraments.
What is the difference between Mr Brown and Mr Smith in Things Fall Apart?
How does Mr Smith view the world things fall apart? Smith is "angry and flamboyant. That night, the Mother of the Spirits walks the length of the clan, weeping and wailing. He engages in long religious discussions with Akunna in order to understand the Igbo traditions, and he builds a school and a hospital in Umuofia. Smith is the exact opposite of his predecessor. You can use them for your analysis or as inspiration to come up with your own topic. In Chapter 20 the author says that apart from the church the white man had also brought with him a government. How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us? But, of course, it is not.
What way is the Reverend James Smith different from his predecessor Mr Brown in things fall apart?
Not long afterward, Mr. Why is Mr Brown respected by the clan? What did Mr Brown say about the gods of Umuofia? Anasi Anasi is the first wife of Nwakibie. He showed disrespect for the beliefs of the Igbos and he was claiming Christianity to be better. He does not force his opinion or his faith on the clan: He neither attacks the tribe's customs nor badgers them to join him. Brown is the first missionary to Umuofia. Cite this page as follows: "Things Fall Apart - Ekwefi" eNotes Publishing Ed.
He demands that his converts reject all of their indigenous beliefs, and he shows no respect for indigenous customs or culture. However, Ekwefi was so impressed with Okonkwo that she left her husband for him later on. Brown who was kind, compassionate, and accommodating. He tries to understand and respect them. Because Reverend Smith expects converts to adhere to all Christian scripture and dogma in a very narrow-minded manner, he incites converts to become overzealous, even fanatical, about their newfound belief. The tension it causes by disrupting the status quo allows characters to develop and allows a fuller, more nuanced story to develop. Things Fall Apart is one of those types of books.
Not a good way to make friends, is it? Brown is able to learn and acknowledge the acts of the local Igbo people. Brown is compassionate and despite his efforts of evangelizing he takes time to interact with the medicine man of the village in an effort to change him and yet learn from him. Ikemefuna believes this right up until his death; he is first cut down by one of the clansmen and then killed by Okonkwo. Why did Mr Brown leave? After Enoch, a zealous convert, creates a conflict during an Igbo ceremony, the egwugwu, or ancestral spirits of the clan, burn Enoch's compound and then proceed to the church compound. They are more confidantes than mother and daughter. Brown, has no patience for customary Igbo practices or beliefs.
Reverend James Smith Character Analysis in Things Fall Apart
And black was evil. He saw things as black and white. Topic 9: Compare and contrast Mr. The Christians decide to hide Enoch in the parsonage for a day or two, which disappoints him, as he had been hoping for a holy war. Brown creates reasoning and logic even in the discussions of religion. Ironically, she best understands the dilemma of compromised manhood that her father faces. Brown's preceding compassion toward the Igbo people and his understanding of their beliefs.
