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
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Manifestations of Nature
The Earth
Ancestors become mythic
Egwugwu
Egwugwu
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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
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Igbo Polytheism vs monotheistic Christianity
Christianity seen as belligerent
Invasive
Preservation vs destruction
Sins
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Violations of holy weeks
Christian definition of sin
Entire community suffers
Murder of Ikemefuna?
Punishments versus crimes
Religion in Nigeria Today
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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.