Comparative analysis

Luminous Reflections
A Clash of Belief Systems- A Comparative Study of the Character Sketches of Okonkwo and Eugene -
     

      Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichiee are two novels that explore the after effects of colonization on the Nigerian community and its Igbo tradition. While Things Fall Apart take you through a ride through a pre colonial Nigeria and ends with the tragic death of its hero in a country which was starting to be strangled by the hands of colonization, Purple Hibiscus sets the plot in a post colonial Nigeria. Interestingly Chimamanda is a big fan of Achebe and so maybe it wasn't a coincidence to start her debut novel with the lines "Things started falling apart when..." . Another interesting fact is that the relation between Achebe's father and great uncle (who brought up Achebe's father) is similar to the one between Papa Eugene and Papa Nnukwu. Achebe used to sneak into his great uncle's home to enjoy the pagan culture and food. He was on the crossroads of culture and can be equated to the one Kambili and Jaja experiences. Things Fall Apart is essentially the tragic story of a local legend, Okonkwo. He is a self made man of few words and emotions but is hardworking and blood thirsty. His ferociousness and skills in warfare is known across villages and he is well respected. The novel traces his rise to success and sudden downfall. It looks into his life, his emotions and how he lost his faith in his people when he saw that they have lost their blood thirstiness and ferocity.The novel also gives a beautiful insight into the Igbo tradition.  Purple Hibiscus is a buildungsroman novel that is narrated by Kambili. It shows the transformation of Kambili from a silenced bird to a free bird. Throughout the story her father is a dominating figure physically and psychologically. She is afraid of her father but at the same time she idolizes her father. She speaks highly of her father and believes that he is special. Her father is a devout Catholic who has imposed a strict regime on his family. He does not tolerate any deviance from his belief systems and is blinded by it. The novel gives a chance to compare between the traditional Igbo belief system held on tightly by Papa Nnukwu, traditional Catholic belief system as shown by the dictatorial Papa Eugene and a balanced belief system that has incorporated the values of both as practiced by Aunt Ifoema. Okonkwo and Eugene have many common traits. Both of them resent their father- Okonkwo as his father was a lazy man and Eugene as his father refused to convert to Christianity. Both of them feel superior to their father. But though Okonkwo hated his father but he did his duties as a son by providing for him till his death and lived with him for the sake.of.his mother and sisters. Eugene on the other hand lived separately with his family as he believes his father is a heathen. He gives his father money but never his time. Neither of them gave their fathers respect, love or care that they need the most in their old age. Both Okonkwo and Eugene are portrayed as protective, caring and over expecting fathers and in both their cases their sons turn against them. Okonkwo is costantly worried about Nwoye following the footsteps of his grandfather and disowns him when he converts. Eugene has set a timetable for his kids and accepts nothing other than a first rank from his kids. He takes decision for them without asking their choices and when Jaja starts answering back he cannot tolerate it.Both are dictators who rule their families with iron fist and uses brute force to get their way. But while Okonkwo's show of strength has only a physical effect for the most part, Eugene's has a physical and pschological effect that is reflected in the silence of his family. Also Okonkwo never fakes and expresses his rage whenever and wherever he feels like but Eugene successfully maintains a double face- that of a well respected businessman in the society and that of a cruel father inside his home. Okonkwo and Eugene can also be seen from the viewpoint of colonization. Both have a common root in the Igbo tradition but while Okonkwo died realizing that he won't be able to save it from getting wiped out, Eugene uprooted from Igbo tradition and planted himself in Christianity. Thus he calls himself civilized and any Non Christian to him is a heathen. Okonkwo was never concerned about ascribing to the standards of the Whites since he was very proud of his traditions but Eugene on the other hand had to became a staunch Christian to feel that pride. Thus there is a question of who is civilized and who is uncivilized posed by both the novels. While Achebe wrote his debut novel criticizing the arrival of Whites and Christianity in Africa, Chimamanda maintains a much more more modern approach by implying that the Africans should find a balance between Igbo and Christian tradition.