The title of Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart, comes from William Butler Yeats' poem

"The second coming" It signifies the breakdown or collapse of something that was once whole
and stable (Nuri, 2013). The novel's core message is the cultural clash between traditional Igbo
society and European colonial culture. Achebe uses this phrase to signify that the traditional way
of life of the Igbo society is on the verge of collapsing as a result of the influence of European
colonialism. This essay argues that colonialism plays a significant role in the collapse of the
protagonist, Okonkwo, and the Igbo society. Firstly, I will analyze how colonialism affected
Okonkwo, ultimately contributing to his downfall. Secondly, I will examine the effects of the
colonizers' introduction of Christianity and Western education on the traditional beliefs and
practices of the Igbo society.

Okonkwo's world is altered by the introduction of colonial power, which challenges his sense of
identity; he battles to maintain his identity and cultural customs in the face of colonialism. When
Okonkwo accidentally kills Ezeudu's son at Ezeudu's funeral; he and his family are forced into a
seven-year exile during which they seek refuge in Mbanta. The white men arrive in Mbanta, and
the locals permit them to build a church. Okonkwo observes how people start to adopt the new
religion, especially the marginalized members of the clan who find refuge in the new society.
The young people also come to accept the new belief since it provides the answers to their
concerns about some unjust traditional practices in Ibo customs. During this time, Nwoye, who is
going through emotional difficulty as a result of Ikemefuna's death, decides to join the Christian
church. Okonkwo is enraged and makes vain attempts to get the Mbanta villagers to chase the
missionaries. When Okonkwo returns to his clan and learns that the missionaries have also
entered Umuofia. He finds that things in Umuofia have changed "Okonkwo's return to his native
land was not as memorable as he had wished" (Achebe, 1995, p. 59). Okonkwo sees the church
as a threat because it does not embrace his religion, people are accepting the new beliefs
therefore his ancestral beliefs will be disregarded. And it threatens the existing hierarchy of
power and status; titles and supremacy will be rendered meaningless, as their power is linked to
their position as custodians of traditional religious beliefs, thus diminishing the significance of
their accomplishments.

As a result, Okonkwo decides to fight but Obierika warns him "It is already too late. . .. Our men
and our sons have joined the ranks of the strangers. They have joined his religion and they help
to uphold his government. . .. How do you think we can fight when our brothers have turned
against us?" (Achebe, 1995, p. 57). With the new changes in place, Okonkwo feels lost and
powerless; he is unable to adjust because the Igbo way of life is his sole way of existence.
Okonkwo becomes isolated and alienated from his people. Okonkwo kills one of the court
messengers, but no one supports him, instead, the villagers of Umuofia allow the other
messengers to escape. According to Achebe, Okonkwo was aware that Umuofia would not fight
again, he overhears some of them wondering "why did he do it" (Achebe, 1995, p. 67). Okonkwo
is left hopeless and takes his own life.

Before the arrival of the European missionaries, Achebe presents the Igbo society as united with
firm meaning and values. He also shows unfavorable practices such as throwing away newborn
twins and the killing of innocent victims in the name of tradition. Which were questionable
traditions for both young and old people. when European missionaries arrive, they bring the
influence of colonialism, which disrupts the traditional and cultural structures of the Igbo
society.

The introduction of Christianity and Western education undermines the traditional beliefs and
practices of the Igbo society and labels them paganism and idolatry. Mr. Kiaga, an Ibo man and
Christian missionary, tells the Igbo society that Igbo Gods are false and that Christianity is the
only real religion "They worshipped false gods, gods of wood and stone" he further says, "They
are gods of deceit who tell you to kill your fellows and destroy innocent children" (Achebe,
1995, p. 47). This condemnation of traditional beliefs causes the Igbo society to question their
cultural practices, especially Nwoye. Nwoye finds the rigid and violent aspects of traditional
Igbo culture disturbing, such as the murder of Ikemefuna. Ikemefuna is a young innocent boy
who is given to Umuofia as a kind of reparation following the murder of an Umuofia girl in
Mbaino. When Ikemefuna arrives at Umuofia he stays in Okonkwo's house, and over time, he
takes on the role of an older brother to Nwoye. The oracle suddenly orders the execution of
Ikemefuna. Achebe describes Nwoye's condition: "As soon as his father walked in, that night,
Nwoye knew that Ikemefuna had been killed, and something seemed to give way inside him, like
the snapping of a tightened bow. He did not cry. He just hung limp" (Achebe, 1995, p. 19).
Nwoye who has been questioning the rituals and beliefs of his society connects this incident with
the weeping of the deserted twins in the evil forest; part of the cultural obligation in Umofia and
eventually converts to Christianity.

Furthermore, the missionaries discourage traditional religious practices. when villagers hold an
annual ceremony, the feast of the new yam, a traditional event to celebrate the start of the harvest
season and give thanks to the earth goddess. A goat is sacrificed during the ceremony, and wine
and palm oil are also poured onto the ground. Mr. Kiaga and his converts disturb the ceremony
by saying that their religion is "nothing" that this is an abomination, and that they should give it
up and follow Christ instead. This reflects the degradation of Igbo traditional cultural practices.