Ghastly Reverend Smith Character Analysis

There are many styles of teaching. Granted, some are better than most. But, what about when dealing with two, completely opposing attitudes in getting the point across? Jolly old Joel Osteen against the ghastly Gordon Ramsay. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe uses the characterization of Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith to represent two different extremes of teaching both having different effects on the recipient. Firstly, Mr. Brown. Mr. BROWN. Brown, as in, the middle ground between white and black! Symbolism! This describes the character perfectly; he’s interested in the benefit of both parties which, he believes, will ultimately win the Umuofians over to Christianity. Speaking of the interest of both parties, the man “built a school and hospital in Umuofia (Achebe, 181).” He doesn’t try to thrust his religion upon them, but rather, leads by example because he sees value in the Igbo culture. In other words, it seems like Mr. Brown is willing to be
Smith is one of those “fire and brimstone” preachers who “saw things as black and white (Achebe, 184).” So much so that he straight up demands that all converts sever any and all ties that they had with their indigenous beliefs. He believed, and preached, that these beliefs “were spread in the world by the Devil to lead men astray (Achebe, 185),” and that all who believe in them “were unworthy of the Lord’s table (Achebe, 185).” Which segways into more symbolism: SMITH. What’s so special about it? Well, it just so happens that, “Smith” is the #1 most used last name among white americans (Most Common Last Names for Whites in the United States). Meaning that, because he has a “fully white” name, his beliefs and ideals are “fully white”. Reverend Smith doesn’t care about the well-being of the Umuofians or their culture. If they’re not following his God, then by his standards, they might as well be satan worshipers. Reverend Smith’s behavior represents, virtually in its entirety, all the problems with