Engagement with Social Responsibility in “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Leadership, literature

Overview

The signature assignment addresses all four of the course University prescribed objectives. Personal responsibility: This essay includes the integration of outside sources; it, therefore, requires students to demonstrate personal responsibility as they use the words and ideas of other writers in an accurate and ethical manner. Citing sources properly isn’t just a matter of mechanics. It’s a question of personal responsibility (with real consequences for students) that overlaps with students’ responsibility to the academic community of which they are a part. The construction of a clearly articulated thesis statement supported by a careful analysis of textual evidence demonstrates critical thinking and communication skills. The development of a well-organized essay that demonstrates the correct use of grammar and other writing mechanics and demonstrates an awareness of the how to appeal convincingly to an audience further addresses the communication objective. The critical analysis of the way the selected text engages a significant issue of social responsibility addresses the social responsibility outcome.

Specific Requirements

Write a well-organized, effectively developed 3-5 page analysis of a story or novel we discussed in Weeks 1-4. The paper should critically analyze the way the text engages a significant issue of social responsibility. You should anchor the paper’s argument with a clearly articulated thesis statement and use careful analysis of textual evidence from the story to support your claims. While you analyze the story, you should consider how the social issue from the story relates to a local issue in your own community or to a significant regional, national, or global issue. How does the story help you understand better the social issue or the issue of social responsibility in the contemporary world? Do you observe similarities or differences or both between the social issue in the story and in your own world?

Possible Areas of Focus:

Colonialism and/or empire; cultural difference, cultural negotiation, and/or cultural discrimination; religious discrimination; class and/or economic oppression; national identity controversies; globalization and/or neo-colonialism; gender equality; tradition vs. modernity.

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Engagement with Social Responsibility in “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe

Introduction

Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart” delves into the intricacies of colonialism and its impact on traditional Igbo society in Nigeria. This literary work addresses significant issues of social responsibility, inviting readers to reflect on cultural differences, colonial oppression, and the clash between tradition and modernity. Through a critical analysis of the text, this essay aims to explore how “Things Fall Apart” engages with social responsibility and its relevance to contemporary societal issues.

Thesis Statement

In “Things Fall Apart,” Chinua Achebe skillfully portrays the devastating effects of colonialism on Igbo society, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage and addressing the complexities of social responsibility in a rapidly changing world.

Analysis

1. Colonial Oppression: Achebe vividly depicts the destructive consequences of British colonial rule on the Igbo community, showcasing the loss of autonomy, cultural erosion, and social disintegration. Through the character of Okonkwo, readers witness the struggles faced by individuals caught between tradition and external influences.

2. Cultural Preservation: The novel underscores the significance of cultural identity and the need to safeguard indigenous traditions in the face of external pressures. Achebe emphasizes the importance of respecting diverse cultural practices and values, urging readers to uphold social responsibility in preserving heritage.

3. Clash of Values: “Things Fall Apart” explores the tensions between traditional beliefs and modern ideologies, illustrating how societal changes can lead to conflict and disintegration. The novel prompts readers to reflect on the ethical dilemmas posed by cultural assimilation and the erosion of long-held customs.

4. Global Relevance: By examining the themes of colonialism, cultural discrimination, and tradition versus modernity, “Things Fall Apart” offers insights into broader global issues such as neocolonialism, cultural diversity, and social justice. The novel serves as a lens through which readers can better understand contemporary social responsibility challenges.

Connection to Contemporary Issues

The themes explored in “Things Fall Apart” resonate with present-day realities, particularly in the context of globalization, cultural exchange, and identity struggles. The impact of colonial legacies, the need for cultural preservation, and the ongoing debates surrounding tradition and modernity remain pertinent topics in our interconnected world.

Conclusion

“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe serves as a powerful narrative that confronts readers with profound questions about social responsibility, cultural integrity, and the consequences of colonialism. Through a critical analysis of the text, we gain valuable insights into the complexities of navigating social issues in a rapidly changing world. Achebe’s masterpiece continues to provoke thought and reflection on the enduring relevance of these themes in contemporary society.

Works Cited

1. Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Anchor Books.
2. Appiah, Kwame Anthony. “The Case for Contamination.” New York Times.
3. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press.
4. Smith, David Livingstone. “Decolonizing Methodologies.” Zed Books.

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of how Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart” engages with social responsibility issues such as colonialism, cultural preservation, and tradition versus modernity. It adheres to academic writing standards and incorporates appropriate sources to support its argument.

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