The concept of colonialism and imperialism both play an essential role in “The Heart of Darkness”, “Things Fall Apart”, and “The Apocalypse”. The act of colonialism comes from a strategy of obtaining partial to full political control while attempting to govern another country. Groups settle in these different countries with a scheme to develop it economically. Another significant topic being presented is the performance of imperialism. Imperialism is imposed when military action is presented to enforce domination over another country. The intention being for imperialism is to increase foreign rule in order to intensify a countries size and economical state. “Our own men and our sons have joined the ranks of the stranger. They have joined his religion and they help to uphold his government” (Achebe 176). In “Things Fall Apart” an accurate illustration of colonialism is given, by which a clan had come over and cultivated Okonkwos land. “They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force” (Conrad 107). It was not colonialism presented in “Heart of Darkness”, instead a simple form of imperialism was demonstrated. Force was used by military in order to take over the land from the weaker country. The perceptions of colonialism and imperialism are both distinctive and with examples from the text, it will display the differentiation between the two.
In “Things Fall Apart” a leader by the name of Okonkwo experiences conflict with society and loses his power from his tribal war. With the loss of Okonkwos power, colonialism and imperialism comes into affect and cultures conflict with one another. The first trace of imperialism appears when the first white man embarked on village territory in Abame. Not long after the killing of the white man another group of white men came and massacred the village of Abame. “Never kill a man who says nothing. Those men of Abame were fools” (Achebe 140). This disorder happened, because the elders of Abame consulted with the Oracle and were told that the white man would destroy their way of life. Imperialism is demonstrated when the group of white men come into Abame using force to kill the townspeople. These white men soon became known as the Christians. “The new religion and government and the trading stores were very much in the peoples eyes and minds” (Achebe 182). Even though there were still a few townspeople that considered the new institutions vile, they weren’t going to rise up against them. Obierika then questioned his own people’s faith towards him and their culture. Customs of the land of Umuofia were judged and the white men had implied that their customs were bad. The introduction of the government to rule had divided the people and left them no choice but to adapt to the white mans way of life. Okonkwo returns to his homeland and is then placed as a prisoner. As soon as the fine was paid, Okonkwo was set free from prison, and he then proceeded to go kill the head messenger. Okonkwo sees that...
