NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES IN THINGS FALL APART By Sophia

NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES IN THINGS FALL APART By: Sophia Robison, Paola and Valeria

THINGS FALL APART • complex themes such as: love and compassion • expressed through powerful storytelling • Achebe uses “…proverbs, folktales, rituals and the juxtaposition of characters. . ”(page 372) to provide a complete look at the culture and tradition of the Ibo tribe • It is through the use of his literary techniques that Achebe is able to transport the reader into the world of Okonkwo.

OKONKWO • Okonkwo holds a skewed view of the tradition and culture of his tribe • Okonkwo is neither the “… the embodiment or the victim of Umuofia’s traditional laws and customs”(Iyasere) due to the limited perception he has of his society, • Okonkwo perceives himself to be a great leader and the savior of his tribe but in reality he is neither of those things

TRIBE • The Ibo tribe is a complex society that has many layers to it • It is shown to be “…ritualistic and rigid yet in many ways surprisingly flexible…”(page 372) • At first glance, everything seems to be full of “…serenity and harmony…” (page 372) but in reality, Umuofia is riddled with characters who hide personal doubts and fears • ones age is respected in their society but they hold in much higher regard ones achievement.