Things Fall Apart

Why, according to obrieka, did the village not resist the white mans initial encroachment why wont he agree to fight now that okonkwo has returned?

chapter 20

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Okonkwo is horrified by what he sees in Umuofia. He and Obierika discuss what has happened. He wonders why the men of Umuofia do not rally and fight; they are a proud and strong people. But Obierika fears that if they do, the same fate will befall them as befell Abame. Resistance is now difficult, because fighting the white man would also mean going against the converts. Obierika puts it succinctly: "The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart" (126-7).

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