Achebe creates an extreme, yet realistic example of an external conflict, man vs. man. The African tribes of the area are all being subjected to the teachings of the white missionaries, ultimately tearing apart the basis of the tribes' community. It is one thing to come into a new area and share one's beliefs, but it is taken on a whole new level when the missionaries begin to enforce rules and punishments on the tribesmen. Achebe noted that differing tribes all, knowingly, had different Gods and religious practices and were still able to live in peace with one another. However, the white men come to spread their beliefs as being the right and only way. While of course they believe this to be true, the missionaries should have been more thoughtful in the culture's ways in order to successfully and peacefully spread their way, rather they came "and led many astray" (149). As Tortoise in Ekwefi's story said, "a man who makes trouble for others is also making it for himself" (85). Therefore, the missionaries who are stirring up problems within the tribe are only making more problems for themselves. All of the tribes will eventually hear of the horrific stories of how evil the white man is and will therefore have distrust towards white people.
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