In "The Sacrificial Egg", the author, Chinua Achebe "presents the conflict between an African civilization called Igbo and Westernization, specifically European." (Joaquin, 2003) The protagonist, whose name is Julius Obi, is a product of European and African culture-- he is a Western educated Igbo. The story begins in the empty market named Nkwo. Since Umuru people think the god of smallpox is staying at the market, they are afraid to come. Julius Obi thinks such folklore is a kind of superstition. He is careless of the warning sign that traditional native people tell him, and he has a frightening experience.
Before the Westerns came, Nkwo was a quiet, clean and small market. The Westerns carry the business and dirt to the market. The smallpox and fear come following one after the other. The story shows the differences between viewpoints of the colonials and traditional Africans. Because of the difference, conflict happens. .
Being Western educated, Julius believes from what he has learned that the smallpox is a kind of disease. But native people think it is carried by Kitikpa, a god of smallpox. His girl friend's mother, Ma, warns him to stay at home as long as possible, because Kitikpa is in the street. But he still meets his girl friend in such dangerous days and stays outside because "being educated he was not afraid of whom he might meet". (Gary, p4). Finally he meets trouble. He finds night spirits are real. He can hear them. The native people use some eggs as sacrifices. Julius can't image the eggs are so important, but the reality tells him they are. When he crushes the egg, he realizes what the eggs mean. He finds misfortune comes to him, and many horrible things frighten him. At last, regardless of his former belief, he has to believe he can't go outside at will during this time of smallpox. He finds that himself, a Western educated African, to be one of the most foolish ones in Africa.
