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.