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Polytheism and Religion in Things Fall Apart and Africa

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.

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Polytheism and Religion in Things Fall Apart and Africa

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  1. Polytheism and Religion in Things Fall Apart and Africa Karl Dehmelt AP English 12 6/3/14

  2. Polytheism • “Belief in multiple deities” (Merriam – Webster) • Ancient Greeks • Ancient Romans • Nordic Religion

  3. Igbo Gods • Manifestations of Nature • The Earth • Ancestors become mythic • Egwugwu

  4. Egwugwu • Ancestral spirits • Judgment • Age • Culture and Independence • Fill people with fear

  5. 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

  6. Contrast to Christianity • Igbo Polytheism vs monotheistic Christianity • Christianity seen as belligerent • Invasive • Preservation vs destruction

  7. Sins • Violations of holy weeks • Christian definition of sin • Entire community suffers • Murder of Ikemefuna? • Punishments versus crimes

  8. Religion in Nigeria Today • Imperialism • 50% Muslim • 40% Christian • 10% traditional • 1980s: inter-religious conflicts • Mixed religions today

  9. 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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