One of Chinua Achebe's objectives in writing Things Fall Apart was to challenge Western misconceptions about African societies being barbaric and primitive. In the novel, he provides the following as examples to counter these distortions, except for one. Can you identify the exception?

Question

One of Chinua Achebe's objectives in writing Things Fall Apart was to challenge Western misconceptions about African societies being barbaric and primitive. In the novel, he provides the following as examples to counter these distortions, except for one. Can you identify the exception?

1.
The people of Umuofia never go to war except if it is for a just cause.

2.
Umuofia is a society that is always open to transformation when needed.

3.
The society is communal, they share what they have with one another and those who are privileged are obliged to take care of the underprivileged.

4.
The people of Umuofia observe the Week of Peace

Answer 1

The second statement, "Umuofia is a society that is always open to transformation when needed," is the exception. While Achebe does portray the society as having its own values, traditions, and systems that are functional and meaningful to its members, he also shows resistance to change and the negative consequences that can result from colonization and interference from outsiders.