The Causes and Effects of the Religious Conversion on the Native Identity in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart (1958)

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate illustrations of the religious conversion in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart (1958). It attempts to explore the factors affecting the religious change as well as the impact of conversion on the native identity and relations. The paper takes the qualitative approach of data analysis as its purpose is to analyze a written text. It uses the descriptive discourse analysis (DDA) method led by the intercultural communication theory (ICT). The results show three types of conversion (gradual, sudden, socialized) depicted in the novel. The results also reveal that the contact with the new religion's advocators, among other reasons, is the most influential factor that causes change. The results confirm the effect of the religious conversion on the native identity and relations as well. The paper also reinforces the validity of applying the ICT on fictive data and contributes something new to the field.