Things Fall Apart

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Recommended: Elements of the novel Things fall apart: Chinua Achebe

Jenny Gao 9/20/15 Lowe 5 Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe LEVEL 1: The Basics 1.Facts & Context - Things Fall Apart was written by Chinua Achebe in 1958. He later became a professor of African studies at Brown University. He won many awards for his writings and received honorary degrees for over 30 universities. This book was one of his most well known novel and became a required book to read at many schools. 2.Plot Developments - Okonkwo is a leader of the Umuofia tribe Igbo people and is known to be very tough because of how he thinks of his father. He killed his adopted son and continues to show no emotion because he doesn’t want anyone to see him as weak. Later, he accidentally kills a body and is exiled. White missionaries arrive …show more content…

Because of this vision, he has hurt and even killed many people. He killed his adopted son, although it was not required for him to. He also beat his third wife for getting her hair done instead of cooking dinner for him. He has also threated his second wife with a gun. 5.Characters: a.Okonkwo - He is known as the leader in Umuofia and is characterized as a tough and violent person. He despises the weak and does not want to be like his father, who he felt was effeminate and lazy. Throughout the novel, he has always maintained his status of being a strong and masculine person. b.Nwoye - Okonkwo’s son. Okonkwo sees him as a weak and lazy person, similar to his father. As he continues beating his son, Nwoye becomes stronger and more masculine, which pleases Okonkwo. When the missionaries arrived at their village, Nwoye converts to Christianity which upsets his father. Because of this, Okonkwo sees his like his father again. c.Ikemefuna - Okonkwo’s adopted son. As he starts living with the family, he begins creating a relationship with Nwoye. They become close and Okonkwo too, is becoming fond of him. However, Okonkwo still is reluctant to show any emotion because he does not want to give in to his

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