Things Fall Apart Long Composition

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In many works of literature, characters often must adjust to life in a new environment. In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, a man lives in a society and that turns out not be what he thought it was. Okonkwo, the main character of the novel, must adjust to new environments not only physically, but also mentally. After unintentionally killing someone, Okonkwo gets banished from his clan for 7 years and must move to his motherland, where he hasn’t been since he began to become a very famous wrestler. He has to adjust to that environment again. After the 7 years is over, and he moves back to his clan, Okonkwo finds that it had changed a great deal over time and he must adjust again. While moving place to place, Okonkwo begins to find himself in a new environment mentally as well. To begin with, Okonkwo is a very proud, selfish man. Okonkwo wants anything and everything that would put him in a higher point of power in the clan. Also, Okonkwo thinks that if things aren’t the way he wants them then they are either bad or wrong. He is incapable to adjust to new environments be...

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  • Individualism vs. Conformity

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    Throughout the story of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo has continuously appeared as an individual. While he was part of the Iguedo tribe, he always stood out in some way, whether because of his stubbornness or his impulsiveness. As a human being, he was not perfect; nevertheless, he was an asset to the village being a great warrior and strong worker, who proved himself over and over again by building himself a life after the disgrace of his father and after his exile. He hoped that on his return to Iguedo, he could continue to build an even greater life than before, where he could prove his greatness as a man once more. How...

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  • Changes In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

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    Chinua Achebe’s book, Things Fall Apart, is a story about a society on the verge of a cultural change. The main character, Okonkwo, is driven throughout the story by fear and a drive for success. He relied on the village of Umuofia to stay the same because he used the structured culture to feel safe and appreciated. He lives in a constant state of fear because he wants to find his own meaning in life. When the structure of Umuofia began to change, Okonkwo found himself incapable of adapting like the rest of the villagers. He was determined to live a life that could not survive the changing world, and his dreams crumbled down. Throughout the novel, Achebe demonstrates that the lack of being able to adapt to change will leave you lost in society.

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    1780 Words  | 4 Pages

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  • Crises of Self-Image in Things Fall Apart: The Reasons for Okonkwo's Actions

    796 Words  | 2 Pages

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  • Theme Of Manliness In Things Fall Apart

    874 Words  | 2 Pages

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    1034 Words  | 3 Pages

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    1470 Words  | 3 Pages

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  • Things Fall Apart Conflict Essay

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    716 Words  | 2 Pages

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  • Character Analysis Of Okonkwo In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    Okonkwo fears failure and weakness because of his father, he also fears that all of his hard work and titles will be passed down to the hands of his weak feminine son, Nwoye who Okonkwo believes takes after his father Unoka. This instinctual drive becomes more visible when he portrays his aggressive behavior in multiple situations such as the beating of one of his wives which dishonored the week of peace, committing his first murder, and beating his children. His fear of being seen as week also drives him to cut down Ikemefuna despite his and his sons growing attachment to him. As Achebe puts

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