Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a novel that depicts the culture and customs of an African tribe on the lower Niger River. The story centers around Okonkwo, a powerful warrior who is well respected throughout nine villages.
Okonkwo’s life is tragically altered by the onset of colonial politics and his own personal weaknesses. Use this guide to explore important themes, characters, and motifs in Achebe’s classic work.
Okonkwo
Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is a novel about the clash between the modern world and traditional Igbo culture. The book is a tale about a man, Okonkwo, and his clan’s struggle to adapt to the changes in their environment. Okonkwo was a renowned warrior and clan leader in the village of Umuofia. He devoted his life to preserving the old ways of life, but eventually they began to crumble under the pressure of foreign influence and cultural change.
One of the themes in Things Fall Apart is the power of language and speech. Achebe discusses how language has the power to shape and control the way people think, act, and behave. For example, Okonkwo’s utter hatred for “gentility and idleness” is a reflection of his language and his perception of the world around him. Okonkwo is a tragic hero in the sense that he is a good man who makes bad choices.
Another theme is the conflict between religion and tradition. The villagers in Things Fall Apart are torn between accepting the new religious and social changes brought by the missionaries and holding onto their traditions. For instance, Nwoye believes that Christianity is the new way of life, but his father and many other elders still hold on to their traditional beliefs.
Igbo Culture
Things Fall Apart is a portrait of Igbo culture in a time of change. Achebe presents the cultural complexities of Igbo life before Europeans invaded and offers an in-depth look at family customs, court proceedings, justice systems, food production, marriage customs, religious beliefs, supernatural practices, gender roles and more. Achebe’s frank articulation of Igbo traditions reveals the depth and richness of a people. It also provides a counterpoint to the misperceptions of Africans and Europeans that persist.
One of the most important themes of Things Fall Apart is the clash of cultures. Achebe illustrates how the new world brought by the white Christians and missionaries threatens Igbo society and values. The missionaries introduce a new religion, language and ways of life that are incompatible with the Igbo way.
Women
Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe, is one of the most important novels to come out of Africa. ccc, and it has helped to change the way that people perceive Africa and African culture. This novel has also had a huge impact on other writers of novels and has set a standard for the portrayal of African culture in western literature.
The book is about the clash of two cultures. It tells the story of Okonkwo and the Ibo culture, which is threatened by European colonization. The story is told through the lens of a warrior, and it is a powerful tale about the struggles that many Africans faced during this time.
One of the major themes of this novel is the role of women. In the Ibo culture, women are viewed as second-class citizens. They are seen as property of men and their primary function is to be a child bearer and help with the household chores. Men often have more than one wife and this is seen as normal.
In this society, women are abused and treated poorly. A common practice is for husbands to beat their wives. This can be done even during peace weeks and for minor infractions. For example, Okonkwo beats his wife for asking him to get his gun. This is just one of many instances in the book that show the mistreatment of women.
Themes
The main theme of the story revolves around how different cultures can clash with each other. The arrival of white missionaries changes the way of life and creates conflict between clans. It is not easy for Okonkwo and other tribal leaders to accept the new religion and traditions.
Achebe also examines the relationship between the villagers and their environment. This is particularly highlighted by the way the villagers use drums to mark various events in their lives. The narrator explains how the drum beat sets a wrestling match in motion, and that the sound of the drums fills the entire village until it is “like the beating of its heart.”