Achebe is in great demand throughout the world as a speaker and visiting lecturer, and is presently teaching at Bard College in New York. Achebe uses that most English of literary forms, the novel, to make his story accessible to Westerners, and interlaces the narrative with Igbo proverbs and folktales. The novel challenges Western notions of historical truth, and prods readers into questioning our perception of pre-colonial and colonial Africa.
More than half the novel is devoted to a depiction of Igbo culture, artfully drawn as we follow the rise to eminence of the protagonist. As a champion wrestler and a great warrior, Okonkwo is a natural leader. His flaw, however, is that he never questions the received wisdom of his ancestors.
For this reason he is not drawn in a flattering light, but his culture is given a full and fair depiction. He would rather play his flute than repay his debts. It follows, then, that land, a full barn, expensive titles, and many wives confer status. Our protagonist is ambitious. Indeed, one of his flaws is his fear of failure, of becoming like his father.
Viewing society from the inside, students can make inferences about why a high value is accorded to clan solidarity, kinship, and hospitality, and the reasons for courtship and funeral customs. In a culture without written language, the arts of conversation and oration are prized.
Wisdom is transmitted through proverbs, stories, and myths. The agrarian cycle of seasons, with their work and festivals, the judicious use of snuff and palm wine, the importance of music and dance, all could be noted and compared to similar Western mores. Law and justice keep the peace, pronouncing on a land dispute or the killing of a clansman. A priestess and masked tribesmen interpret the Oracle, speaking for ancestors and gods.
They enforce taboos against twins and suicide, and offer explanations for high infant mortality. The second and third parts of the novel trace the inexorable advance of Europeans. The first white man to arrive in a nearby village is killed because of an omen, and in retribution all are slaughtered by British guns.
Christian missionaries seem to be madmen, their message of wicked ways and false gods attractive only to outcasts. But along with Christianity come hospitals and schools, converting farmers to court clerks and teachers. Trading stores pay high prices for palm oil. Government is closely linked to religion and literacy. Okonkwo, upholder of the ways of his ancestors, is inevitably cast in the role of tragic hero. In exile during the first years of colonization, he has less understanding of the power of the Europeans than his now-passive kinsmen.
His doom is swift and sure. Note: This guide uses the contemporary spelling, Igbo, rather than Ibo. It provides us with a powerful fable about the immemorial conflict between the individual society.
These twin dramas are perfectly harmonized and they are modulated by an awareness capable of encompassing the life of nature, history, and the mysterious compulsions of the soul. Things Fall Apart is the most illuminating and permanent monument we have to the modern African experience as seen from within.
The novel is structured in three parts. What do the divisions reflect about the stages of life of the protagonist? How do the divisions move toward and illustrate the collapse of Igbo society? What is the point of view of the narrator? How does the point of view contribute to our understanding of the conflicting cultures? What techniques does the narrator use to evoke a participatory role for the reader? How does this contrast with the ending, when Okonkwo is deliberating about an adequate response to the British humiliation of the Igbo elders in jail?
Achebe uses storytelling flashbacks to describe the relationship of Okonkwo and Unoka. What do the flashbacks reveal about their relationship? What is the effect of the use of storytelling to illustrate the flashbacks? In Chapter One, how does Achebe foreshadow the presence and ultimate fate of Ikemefuna? Describe the judicial function of the egwugwu and its relationship to the living, particularly to Igbo women.
Why is it also related to the spiritual world? How does Achebe illustrate the blending of the spiritual and real worlds? How does the killing of Ikemefuna foreshadow the fall of Okonkwo? Why is Okonkwo exiled? Why is the exile ironic?
When and how is the white man introduced? What attitudes toward the Igbo people do the white men bring and how do their attitudes determine their treatment of the Igbo people?
How does Achebe use incidents to paint the general character of the white colonizers? Character and Conflict 1. How does Okonkwo achieve greatness as defined by his culture?
Why is Unoka, who suffers from a swelling in the stomach, left to die in the evil forest? How does Okonkwo differ from his father? What are his feelings toward his father? Cite examples in the attitude and actions of Okonkwo that show the Igbo division of what is considered manly and what is considered womanly. Why is Okonkwo unhappy with his son and heir? How do his feelings toward Nwoye compare with his feelings toward Ikemefuna?
Why is Ikemefuna killed? How does Nwoye react to the sacrifice? Okonkwo changes significantly after the killing of Ikemefuna. Why does Nwoye convert to Christianity? How does his conversion affect his relationship with his father? Describe Mr. How is his portrayal different from the Igbo characters? Compare and contrast him with other white colonists. Describe Enoch. How do his actions show disdain for Igbo traditions? Setting and Society 1. The novel begins in Umuofia and ends in Umuofia.
During this period, famous authors such as W. Yeats, Seamus Heaney, and Dylan Thomas made an immense impact and maturation of literature. There have been several events that have taken place in the forming of the modern period. The Harlem Renaissance showed the pain and agony the African Americas faced through the years of the s.
This poem teaches readers that all humans have strength within them that can help to overcome any obstacles. The message drives a point that no matter what, the protagonist will be triumphant. He also connects with his fans so well. Many rappers are concerned with being the best and making the most money; J Cole is concerned about pleasing his fans. The accent is not a negative issue like it could be, instead in this song it is good for the song and makes the song flow better while sounding better.
With the accent he has which adds to the flow and the great message he has in the song it makes it much better to the audience stuff most singers don 't have. Not a lot of people have that quality, but he displays it well through his life on and off court. In the world of boxing, Muhammad Ali is seen as the greatest of all time by many. Love or hate him, you have to eventually admire his greatness. He was born with the name Cassius Clay on January 17, As well as a strong government, with generosity and security.
Also, a culture of various learned men, with people skilled in the arts. The achievements of the African people before European arrival showed how successful and sustainable a nation can be with a deep culture, a strong economy and a generous. They believe we as humans have our own free will and are capable of achieving our full potential in life. Chinua Achebe is the talented writer of Things Fall Apart.
During the colonial period the African people lost their dignity and self-respect, but luckily writers like Chinua Achebe sought out a way to regain their losses. In my essay I will thoroughly discuss a number of episodes where the writer achieves his desired intend of regaining the dignity and self-respect that belongs to the African people.
The first episode that I will refer to is the use of the kola nut in chapter one. Each clan has its own stories, and Ikemefuna is an exciting addition to Umuofia because he brings with him new and unfamiliar folk tales. With the introduction of Ikemefuna, Achebe is able to remind us that the story we are reading is not about Africa but rather about one specific culture within Africa.
He thus combats the European tendency to see all Africans as one and the same. The religious values of the Igbo emphasize the shared benefits of peaceful, harmonious relations. The Igbo always consult the Oracle before declaring war, for they fear punishment from their gods should they declare war without just cause.
The chi allows individuals to attribute some portion of their failures and successes to divine influence, thus lessening the shame of the former and pride of the latter.
This belief encourages respect between individuals; the men are thus able to settle a dispute between Okonkwo and a man whom he insults without resorting to personal attacks. Although traditional Igbo culture is fairly democratic in nature, it is also profoundly patriarchal. Wife-beating is an accepted practice. Moreover, femininity is associated with weakness while masculinity is associated with strength. Okonkwo frequently beats his wives, and the only emotion he allows himself to display is anger.
He does not particularly like feasts, because the idleness that they involve makes him feel emasculated. Though he has children, Okonkwo is never compared to anything thriving or organic; instead, Achebe always associates him with fire, which consumes but does not beget. The incident in which he tries to shoot Ekwefi with his gun is likewise suggestive of impotence. Ace your assignments with our guide to Things Fall Apart!
SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Brown Ikemefuna Unoka.
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