Things Fall Apart Biblical Style Essay - 1407 Words

Chinua Achebe in his novel, Things Fall Apart, writes in a way that Erich Auerbach would describe as biblical style. Biblical style involves suspense, biblical allusions, the ambiguity of purpose, and gaps leading to interpretation. Achebe uses this biblical style to focus on the downfall of Okonkwo, the main character. One passage that exemplifies this biblical style is in Part One with Okonkwo in the sacrifice of his adopted son, Ikemefuna. Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna out of fear of what the other men in his clan will think if he doesn’t kill his adopted son. The village wants sacrifice Ikemefuna to fulfill the promises of their god, the Oracle because Ikemefuna was exchanged from another village to keep the peace. The village elders tell†¦show more content†¦This unexpected shift in Okonkwo’s behavior and leads the reader and to question what Okonkwo will do with this conflict. Will Okonkwo demonstrate his strengths and slay his adopted son or will he save Ikemefuna from getting killed? This relates to what Biblical style brings according to Erich Auerbach, as we see suspense on what Okonkwo will do with the situation of choosing either tradition or family. Language and details of this passage echo references to the biblical accounts of Abraham and Isaac. By cutting down his son in the face of fear with a machete, we see that Okonkwo is looking to preserve his faith in his culture by adhering to tradition. From this passage, we already see allusions to the binding of Isaac from the Bible. Both stories show a strong relationship between father and son. Like Okonkwo wanting to stick to values, Abraham wants to keep God’s promise of multiple descendants in exchange for loyalty. Abraham puts God’s commandments above his personal feelings and almost sacrifices his son until he is stopped by an angel. Okonkwo looks to show loyalty to the village and preserve tradition by sacrificing his adopted son. Okonkwo, unlike Abraham, actually kills his son. Although they both have their differences the sacrifice of Ikemefuna definitely alludes to the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac. We see Achebe switch to the perspective of Nwoye after the sacrifice of Ikemefuna. This switch givesShow MoreRelatedcompare and contrast aphra Bhens Oroonoko the royal slave and candide, or optimism1618 Words   |  7 PagesWRITE AN ESSAY OF 1,500 WORDS IN WHICH YOU COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE TWO PASSAGES BELOW, TAKEN FROM BEHNS _OROONOKO_ OR THE ROYAL SLAVE AND VOLTAIRES _CANDIDE_, OR OPTIMISM. IN YOUR DISCUSSION PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE WAYS IN WHICH THE CONTEXTS OF EUROPEAN COLONISATION AND EXPLORATION INFORM THE TWO PASSAGES. Aphra Bhen was a prolific female playwright and author during the restoration period of English history. Bhen herself stood by the power of the monarchy. Her book _Oroonoko_Read MoreWhat Challenges Face Descriptions Of God1568 Words   |  7 Pagesface descriptions of God, according to Augustine in Confessions and De Trinitate? 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