Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe • Born 1930 in a Christian family in Ogidi in Eastern Nigeria • Went to college, taught at university • Received the Nigerian National merit Award in 1987 • By 1995 over 8 million copies of Things Fall Apart were sold

Chinua Achebe’s Novels • Achebe's novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society, • the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era.

Achebe, about African Literature “The reason African Literature came into existence because these things that were supposed to represent [Africans] were inaccurate. There was a vacuum, a gap to be filled” ~Chinua Achebe

Setting: • Story is set between 1860 & 1890 - during the coming of the white man to Nigeria. • Written between 1952 & 1958 - a time when Nigeria was finally ending colonial rule. • In part, the novel is a response and antidote to a large tradition of European literature in which Africans are depicted as primitive and mindless savages.

Igbo Society: Social & Political Structures • Lack of centralized political structures. • Lived in autonomous villages & towns, ruled by their elders. • Democracy was obtained through a council of elders, age groups, councils of chiefs, women’s associations, and secret societies.

Igbo Society: Marriage Customs • Marriages were discussed in depth as they brought families & entire villages together. • Most husbands practiced polygamy. • Igbo women lived in separate houses, cooked for themselves, and raised their own children. • Unhappy women could leave a marriage.

Igbo Society: Religion (polytheistic) • Chukwu (the supreme being) is everywhere at the same time-therefore there are no shrines or altars for worship. • Ekwensu- trickster god who caused problems. • The Ikenga- a wooden carving that symbolizes a man’s strength & success--a priest invokes a spirit into it & the men consult it for advice. • Chi-a person’s personal god…follows you throughout life and can be either malevolent or benevolent…but chi does not control destiny.

Themes: • Central theme- what happens to the values that define Okonkwo’s cultural community & define his sense of moral order when everything collapses in the face of European colonialism. • Colonial rule destabilizes traditional values & institutions. • There is a crisis of authority & power, which leads to a crisis of culture.

Conflicts Generational: Okonkwo vs. Unoka Okonkwo vs. Nwoye Cultural: Ibo vs. Western Tradition vs. Christianity Assimilation vs. purity Gender: Okonkwo vs. his wives Inner: Okonkwo vs. himself

The Tragic Hero • Enjoys an exalted position in society either by birth or extraordinary achievements. • Demonstrates wisdom, moral or philosophical greatness- sometimes physical prowess. • Adheres to and exemplifies a code of conduct including reverence toward the laws of God and the universe, loyalty to the family, and respect for government.

Tragic Flaw • Possesses a flaw in personality or psyche that ultimately brings about total destruction. • Okonkwo’s flaw: Uncontrollable Anger Inflexibility

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe The End