polytheism and religion in things fall apart and africa karl dehmelt ap english 12 6/3/14
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Polytheism and Religion in Things Fall Apart and Africa
Karl Dehmelt
AP English 12
6/3/14
Polytheism
• “Belief in multiple deities” (Merriam – Webster)
• Ancient Greeks• Ancient Romans• Nordic Religion
Igbo Gods
• Manifestations of Nature• The Earth• Ancestors become mythic• Egwugwu
Egwugwu
• Ancestral spirits• Judgment• Age• Culture and Independence• Fill people with fear
Evil Spirits
• “Darkness held a vague terror for these people, even the bravest among them. Children were warned not to whistle at night for fear of evil spirits.” (Chapter 2)
• “It is against our custom, It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offense against the Earth, and a man who commits it will not be buried by his clansmen. His body is evil, and only strangers may touch it.” (Chapter 25)
• Gods and spirits on almost every page• Changelings
Contrast to Christianity
• Igbo Polytheism vs monotheistic Christianity• Christianity seen as belligerent• Invasive• Preservation vs destruction
Sins
• Violations of holy weeks• Christian definition of sin• Entire community suffers• Murder of Ikemefuna?• Punishments versus crimes
Religion in Nigeria Today
• Imperialism• 50% Muslim• 40% Christian• 10% traditional• 1980s: inter-religious conflicts• Mixed religions today
Works Cited
Cairns, W. De W. "225." The American Mathematical Monthly 22.7 (1915): 240-41. Web. 2 June 2014.
"Conceptions Of God In Christianity - Monotheism." Conceptions Of God In Christianity -
Monotheism. Web. 02 June 2014.
"Egwugwu." ThingsFallApart5 -. Web. 02 June 2014.
"Encyclopedia of the Nations." Religions. Web. 01 June 2014.
"Notes on Things Fall Apart Themes." BookRags. BookRags. Web. 02 June 2014.
"Polytheism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 02 June 2014.
Shmoop Editorial Team. "Things Fall Apart Theme of Sin." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11
Nov. 2008. Web. 02 June 2014.
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