aught that killing innocent people was wrong. When Okonkwo heard that Nwoye was visiting with the missionaries, he was infuriated and he kicked him out of the house. In general, Okonkwo was fearful and extremely resistant to the new religion because it had the potential of ruining the life long work of the clan of trying to please the gods of its ancestors. Just as we can see a clash in personal beliefs within the clan, we can also see the difference in customs or methods or motives between the two missionaries. Mr. Brown was a 6very passive and understanding man, whereas, Mr. Smith was more forceful and condemning of the people. He did not try to understand the customs of the clan, he simply told them that they were wrong and Christianity was right. Things really got heated up when a convert unmasked and killed an egwugwu. In revenge, the church was burnt down. Okonkwo and other members of the clan were brought before the commissioner and were harassed and beaten. It was after this that a town meeting was called. Okonkwo was infuriated and determined to fight the white men. When a messenger came to break up the meeting, Okonkwo was so enraged that he killed the man. The arrival of the British in and before the 1800's led to what seemed like a million conflicts between the Igbo and the British political systems. There were conflicts regarding religion, social life, education and many others. It affected the Igbo both positively and negatively. On the positive side it benefitted them economically and it stayed a patrilineal society (man's world). Yet there were negative sides to it as well such as that it destroyed their traditional government ("ebu") and forced them to change their lifestyles. Polygamy was deemed to be senseless. The British told the Igbo that they worshiped fake gods of stone and wood, and that they should convert to their religion. As the British moved into Umuofia they introduced hospitals and a court system w...
