In his novel Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe responds to European colonialism. It describes the struggle between convention and conversion as well as the struggle between race and colonial power. In her novel The Lover, Marguerite Duras reformulates this idea of ​​colonialism. Duras changes the roles of power associated with colonialism through changing traditional precepts of race and class. Chinua Achebe's novel is a frank response to European colonialism and its effects on traditional African culture. Okonkwo lives in a changing world. He seems fundamentally torn between the traditions and customs of his tribe and the impending colonial conversion. As a member of an African tribe, Okonkwo finds himself helpless against the onslaught of Western change and cultural evolution. The arrival of the missionaries in Okonkwo's village is a harbinger of this cultural order. Their very presence disrupts the social structure and imperative. Attempts at resistance fail and only work in the missionary's favor. For example, according to Umofian tradition, the missionaries should have died after building their church on the grounds of the Wicked Forest. The missionaries, however, are unharmed, symbolizing the power of the new conversion over the old ways. With the conversion of the tribe members, the social structure of Umofia weakens considerably. Okonkwo realizes that the old ways are disappearing as the colonial presence grows in strength and fervor. Okonkwo realizes that colonialism is slowly but surely taking his people away from their roots and principles. The arrival of European religion and government forces a change of command, stripping Okonkwo of his power. As the missionaries gain support and convert the tribesmen, Okonkwo feels that customs and tradition are disappearing. ......middle of paper......servants for the sake of keeping up appearances. Social and class tensions are most evident in the family dinners instigated by the narrator. His brothers "gorge themselves" on the expensive food purchased from their sister's caprices, but are unaware of the very presence of their lover. If they looked at the lover, they would be forced to see the “elementary rules of society” that they break by having dinner together. Class is significant here because the lover is influential and wealthy enough to indulge the family, but they continue to ignore him because racially they are considered above him. Furthermore, Duras reframes colonialism by focusing on the physical descriptions of racial bodies and skin. Although they come from different ethnic backgrounds, the lovers become one in the bedroom. Both are washed in water and belong to the same physical race.