Things Fall Apart Metaphors

857 Words2 Pages

Just as Achebe exemplifies that mutual respect is what helps form a strong family, so too does unity help form the concrete basis of the ideal family. Unity with each other is more than necessary for the typical Igbo family. For instance, through the simile “It was like the pulsation of its heart” to describe the beat of the tribal drums, the speaker emphasizes that the drums - a symbol of harmony and solidarity - are one with the clan: “The drums were still beating, persistent and unchanging. Their sound was no longer a separate thing from the living village. It was like the pulsation of its heart.” (Achebe 44). Here, the text suggests that the tribal drums and the tribe, itself, is unified with each other. The drums, a symbol of wholeness, …show more content…

Interestingly, Achebe uses the metaphor “put a knife on the things that held us together” to represent how threatening it is to have someone intervene with the clan: “Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife of the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” (Achebe 176). Here, the text suggests that Okonkwo is so close to the clansmen that he refers to them as “brothers” and since his “brothers” are being taken away by the missionaries, the clan is not whole. Then the text conveys because of this, the unity is lost within the clan, family, causing them to be weak and inevitably fall apart. Together, these scenes illustrate the importance of unity with a family. In the first scene, the unity is represented through the tribal drums and the clan at that time is one with each other; in the second scene, the unity is broken within the clan resulting in the clan's …show more content…

That said, Achebe does present alternate ways of looking at the characteristics of the ideal family. For instance, Achebe signifies that without certain, ideal practices, families and even a clan will spiral into a demise. The certain traits to follow allow a lucid understanding of what conjures up the ideal or nonideal family. Certainly, this alternate perspective of what helps to create or not create a strong family is important to consider for a fuller understanding of ideas which lead into keeping or not keeping a family together. Important to consider, too, is how the practices that build or not build a strong family is germane in our 2015 world, where Pope Francis speaks about the values and practices to be followed by families. For instance, Pope Francis speaks about the care needed for one’s offspring. He says that if a family or society does not take care for their future (children), just as Okonkwo and his own father did not, then it will not remain strong and have a secured future. He then continues to speak about the necessity of respect of others. This prominent attribute seen also in the book is what Pope Francis said will help create a strong family and community. Pope Francis was able to exemplify many of the key practices which are followed by the Igbo society, even though he

Communication Breakdown: Conflict in 'Things Fall Apart'
1199 Words | 3 Pages
For instance, the story that Ekwefi tells to all of Okonkwo’s children is about a tortoise manipulating birds to get food from their party in the sky, and then the birds coming together to get back at the tortoise (Achebe 96-99). In the story, the tortoise symbolizes the missionaries and the birds symbolize the Ibo because like the missionaries, the tortoise is very selfish and acts as if he is doing nothing wrong by his actions, until he fools the birds. Both the missionaries and the tortoise take what is rightfully someone else’s for personal gain. Achebe uses this story to warn readers that in order for the Ibo to salvage their culture and unity, they must communicate with each other like the birds. He also foreshadows the arrival of the missionaries later on in the novel with the tortoise. In essence, Achebe uses the story to convey not only how complex the Ibo culture is, but also just how important it is to be saved. He proves that through cooperation and unity, a group can come together as one to save what is rightfully theirs and limit excess conflict with just a few actions. What Achebe is telling the reader and the tribe themselves, is that sometime there is going to be something that tries to tear them apart and shatter their culture, but the worst thing they can do is separate themselves from each other. Despite the
Read More
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
603 Words | 2 Pages
In Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, the Ibo culture revolves around structured gender roles, from the crops that the men and women grow, to the characterization of crimes,which creates tension between the sexes and will ultimately lead to detrimental consequences. Things Fall Apart represents the hardships and struggles between females and males. For example, Ekwefi, the wife of Okonkwo, she is often beat for the things she has genuinely forgotten about . Also, we have Enzima, Okonkwo's favorite daughter, but since she is a female, she must be treated like a women. Although females are considered the weaker gender, they possess many qualities that make them worthy, such as bearing children. Achebe explained the importance of both genders and how they contribute to the society.
Read More
Masculinity In Achebe's Things Fall Apart
1336 Words | 3 Pages
In Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the theme of perceived masculinity is prominent and portrayed as a critical characteristic which has the potential to shape clans, families, and the safety of others. Because of the emphasis placed on masculinity, women are widely disregarded and downplayed, as they are seen as property. In African culture men are revered due to their warrior-like natures that can uphold the functionality of a clan, but frowned upon when deemed as weak; the result of this fear of weakness led to the dominance of men over women.
Read More
A Comparison of the Culture of Things Fall Apart and Western Culture
2311 Words | 5 Pages
Many societies have beliefs rooted deep in ancient religion. Some beliefs include polygamy, polytheism, and patriarchy, or rule by men. One such culture is that of Achebe's Things Fall Apart. Polytheism and polygamy are custom in the clan, and the role of each family member is very defined. The men are overly domineering. The women and children are treated poorly and often beaten. Life in Achebe's Umuofia would seem very different to someone living in modern day America.
Read More
Things Fall Apart
1115 Words | 3 Pages
In Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart the life of a man named Okonkwo and the tribe of Umuofia is depicted in three chapters which each represent a significant era in the tribe. In the first chapter, Achebe describes the life of the native African tribe before the coming of the white man. This chapter enables the reader to understand and respect the life of the Igbo. The second chapter describes the beginnings of colonialism and introduction of the white man. Suddenly, the Igbo way is questioned. The natives lives are turned upside down as they search for a way to understand the new religion and laws of the Europeans. The third chapter describes the effect of colonialism on the Igbo tribe. This section explores the many ways which the Igbo people try to adapt to the new society. From the suicide of Okonkwo to the abandonment by other tribe members, it becomes apparent how difficult it was for the African’s to adjust to the change. Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness tells of an English man named Marlow and his journey into the Congo and interest in a colonist named Kurtz. Marlow is the narrator of the novel. He describes the natives and the Europeans from a somewhat objective view. He finds colonialism questionable, but also cannot relate to the Africans. Kurtz is the antagonist who exploits the Africans to make money by selling ivory and subsequently goes insane. Both novels depict the colonization of Africa, but each has a markedly different perspective on the African’s lives which were irreparably altered when Europeans came to conquer their land and convert them to Christianity.
Read More
ada
1195 Words | 3 Pages
Chinua Achebe conveys the conflict of two cultures and religions and the destruction of one as a result of an unwillingness to coexist and respect each other. The distinction between Igbo and Christian spiritual beliefs brought strife. The split became wider as a result of the contrasting religious customs between the two cultures. Finally the Igbo religion and culture was abolished because of different beliefs about communal ties. The Igbo culture and society deconstructs as a result of varying beliefs, but both religions are responsible for the downfall. When readers understand the differences between the two religions they can see why the Igbo culture was lost. People can coexist if they only learned to accept and respect each other, but they always look for the easiest way to accomplish goals and that is what causes things to fall apart.
Read More
Things Fall Apart
1211 Words | 3 Pages
In life people are very rarely, if ever, purely good or evil. In novels authors tend not to create characters with an obvious moral standing not only to make their novel more applicable to the reader, but also to make the characters more complex and dynamic. Chinua Achebe uses this technique to develop the characters in his novel, Things Fall Apart. The main character, and protagonist in the novel, Okonkwo, is very morally dynamic showing some sensitivity to his family and friends, but in an attempting to rebel against his father, Okonkwo also exhibits the tendency to lash out violently.
Read More
Things Fall Apart
1974 Words | 4 Pages
Chinua Achebe?s Things Fall Apart is a narrative story that follows the life of an African man called Okonkwo. The setting of the book is in eastern Nigeria, on the eve of British colonialism in Africa. The novel illustrates Okonkwo?s struggles, triumphs, and his eventual downfall, all of which basically coincide with the Igbo?s society?s struggle with the Christian religion and British government. In this essay I will give a biographical account of Okonwo, which will serve to help understand that social, political, and economic institutions of the Igbos.
Read More
Things Fall Apart
801 Words | 2 Pages
The book “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe is a fictional look at the social and cultural life of an African tribe of the lower Niger River region. It depicts the every day life of the tribe and its members. It also shows the culture and customs of the tribe.
Read More
Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe
1105 Words | 3 Pages
With a socially imposed and personal devotion to attain a highly regarded status in his clan, Okonkwo’s life was one that valued traditional authority, customs, and kinship. As a protagonist, Okonkwo’s story exemplifies the altering role of the state as the marching boots of colonialism enter his village, Iguedo. In Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart, he illustrates the societal life of the Umuofia clan prior to the arrival of and the encounter with early colonizers - offering an Igbo account of the transformation of local institutions. Once wielded by elders and the spiritually divine, the power of control fell into the hands of foreigners. Worship of ancestors, the supreme deity Chikwu, and other Earth gods transferred to the God revealed in the Bible. The interactions between the institutions of rule, belief, environmental management, and trade are each delicately reliant on each other, so that in Iguedo the ability to rule fails to exist without belief, religious believes are derived from the environment, and the mercy of environmental conditions dictates agricultural trade. Through the life and death of Okonkwo, the novel presents how the experience of the Igbo and their interaction with the state witnessed unquestionable change.
Read More
Depiction of Masculinity in the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
962 Words | 2 Pages
Okonkwo’s ideas of masculinity, family values, and his sense of male duty are very antiquated and traditional. When new ideas are presented to him in the form of European religion and culture, Okonkwo, along with many others, fails to open his mind to the change and refuse to compromise. Thus, there is conflict and a shattering of clan values and relationships that have lasted for generations. Neither group is willing to compromise its ideas or philosophy, and thus by the end of the novel it is evident that the clan has been irreversibly altered.
Read More
Things Fall Apart Theme Essay
1621 Words | 4 Pages
Before the arrival of the Europeans, Achebe did a excellent job portraying how the life of Igbo was before they were forced to oppose their own culture. To support this theme, Achebe included detailed descriptions of social rituals within each family, the justice system, religious practices and consequences, preparation and indulgence of food, the marriage process and the distributing of power within the men. Achebe shows how every man has an opportunity to prove himself worthy to achieve a title on the highest level, based merely on his own efforts. One may argue that the novel was written with the main focus on the study of Okonkwo’s character and how he deteriorates, but without the theme that define the Igbo culture itself, we would never know the universe qualities of the society that shaped Okonkwo’s life. The lives of the Igbo people was no different to the actual lives of the Ibos people back in the early days of Africa. Just like in Things Fall Apart, in actual African tribes there was never a ruler. “Very interesting thing about these villages is that there is no single ruler or king that controls the population. Decisions are made by including almost everyone in the village” (AfricaGuide). Using the theme, Achebe educated readers on by mirroring real African life in her
Read More
Igbo Culture In Achebe's Things Fall Apart
791 Words | 2 Pages
The constant change within the society is inevitable in every culture, ranging from traditional sense of social values to the law and condition of the land that people needs to obey by as time when on. And these changes within the culture can have significant impact on the perspective of the whole community and the mindset of an individual. We can see this in Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” as the old Igbo culture clashing with the Missionaries’s ideals from the western world that leads to the dividing of the two culture and create this social barrier between them as one culture would often contradict with the other. This changes unfold to the reader through the eyes of the main character of the story, Okonkwo.
Read More
Gender Roles In Things Fall Apart Essay
1756 Words | 4 Pages
Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart tells the story of the people of an Igbo village in Nigeria. In Igbo society, the traditions and gender roles are strict, and being a woman or viewed as feminine is a negative thing. Okonkwo, the novel’s protagonist values the traditions of his clan, but is controlled by the fear of being perceived as weak or effeminate. This fear causes Okonkwo to make decisions that are frowned upon by his fellow villagers, creating conflict. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe utilizes Okonkwo’s desire to be perceived as masculine through the act of putting his own interests above those of the clan in order to portray how Igbo society is negatively affected by gender roles. Gender roles are the norms and behavior that society expects each gender (male and female) to adhere to. So, for example, in the novel men are expected to provide for their families and women are expected to be submissive to their husbands. The idea of gender roles has a negative effect on Igbo society because it enslaves people to a gendered way of life that can, at times, limit people from expressing their true feelings out of
Read More
Change And Tradition In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
723 Words | 2 Pages
Throughout Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, struggle between change and tradition is one of the most relevant issues. The Igbo villagers, Okonkwo, and his son Nwoye all experience this problem in many different ways. The villagers have their religion defied, Okonkwo reaches his breaking point and Nwoye finally finds what he believes in. People have struggled to identify and cope with change and tradition throughout history, and will continue to struggle with this issue in the
Read More

Open Document

Wait a second!

Things Fall Apart Metaphors

Communication Breakdown: Conflict in 'Things Fall Apart'

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Masculinity In Achebe's Things Fall Apart

A Comparison of the Culture of Things Fall Apart and Western Culture