Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe
analytical Essay
1105 words
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.
The village of Iguedo, prior to the advent of Christianity, was one whose system of governance operated with autonomy. There was no dominating metropolis that controlled the territory and demanded taxation or tribute. In such a case, it was in the absence of a strong, centralized government that local influence became the dominant authority (Herbst). Instead there was a systematic rule of law, derived by local customs and cultural values, made credible by religious tradition, and enforced by ...
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...ric, and blatantly naïve accounts by Joseph Conrad in his Heart of Darkness, Achebe brings to light the level of sophistication and complexity of pre-colonial societies. Rich with institutions of governance and traditions of belief, Achebe counters Conrad in the claim that Africa was a primitive and empty land that simply was the antithesis to Western society. Through the character of the District Commissioner, Achebe makes this ignorance of Igbo society - and pre-colonial civilizations in general – abundantly clear. After written an entire novel on the intricate life of Okonkwo up until his symbolic suicide, the District Commissioner – just as Joseph Conrad – encounters the protagonist and synthesizes his life – albeit his death - to a couple paragraphs. Only in the perspective of those with in pre-colonial Africa do we truly see how things really just fell apart.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo's story exemplifies the altering role of the state as the marching boots of colonialism enter his village, iguedo.
- Explains that the village of iguedo, prior to the advent of christianity, was one whose system of governance operated with autonomy.
- Explains the foundation of rule by the elders, highly regarded clansmen, and the priestess enforced customary law.
- Analyzes how the success of missionaries in acquiring converts ignited the skirmish for power between the existing structure of rule and the new, monotheistic order.
- Analyzes how the colonizers, especially under the missionary work of mr. brown, became popular in their role as ity through the services and infrastructure they provided.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was misogynistic in his treatment of his wives and daughters, despite his favorite child being ezinma.
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's things fall apart illustrates the pre-colonial life of the igbo population and the alterations and institutional conflict that occurred as native traditions, values, and beliefs encountered christianity and europe.
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- Igbo Religion In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayDiverse from other African authors of his time, Chinua Achebe, the “father of African Literature”, reconstructions the stigma surrounding traditional African tribes through his ground-breaking novel Things Fall Apart. Set in southern eastern Nigeria, the novel depicts village life through the eyes of Igbo clan members prior to colonization. This fresh take on perspective allows readers to view and examine the variety of individuals that mold Igbo life through the story of a village leader, Okonkwo. Contrasting other authors of his time, Achebe takes great measures to illustrate the varied substantial roles of not only men, but women in his novel Things Fall Apart. The contributions accompanied by pivotal roles in Igbo society are displayed
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe, the "father of african literature", reconstructs the stigma surrounding traditional african tribes through his ground-breaking novel things fall apart.
- Analyzes how achebe illustrates that a child seeks shelter and comfort from his or her mother when their security and safety is in jeopardy.
- Analyzes how igbo culture associates its most powerful god, ani, as a woman. rituals are influential in the engagements of the clan.
- Analyzes how achebe illustrates women partaking in storytelling, while children devour every word. proverbs and myths hold a significant role in education within igbo culture.
- Analyzes how achebe assigns to women in igbo culture in his novel things fall apart. by probing beneath the deceiving surface, readers can see that women of the clan hold powerful positions contradictory to analogous african novels.
794 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayThroughout history we have learned that different societies are accompanied by different customs. Amongst these customs are the rules, morality, ethnic norms and others that make a society unique.Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a novel that describes a Nigerian community Ibo, that has its own set or rules, norms and traditions. In this novel we are exposed to a community that goes through struggles between change and tradition when Christianity is introduced to the society through British colonization. The novel remains ambivalent about the courses of action that officials and missionaries used to enact Christianity in the Ibo culture.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mr. brown learned about the clan's religion and traditions, and continued with his way to attract indigenous to convert into christianity.
- Analyzes how reverend james smith, a missionary who replaces mr. brown, was judgmental and narrowed down the standards of those who converted to christianity.
- Analyzes how reverend smith's goal is to reduce the number of people who have converted and just stay with those who meet his standards.
- Analyzes how the british colonization process affected the ibo community and how reverend smith's administration was not welcomed by either the gods or the society.
- Analyzes how the novel exposes a society that had to undergo the colonization of the british.
- Analyzes how things fall apart by chinua achebe describes a nigerian community that goes through struggles between change and tradition when christianity is introduced to the society through british colonization.
1263 wordsRead More - Critical Analysis Of Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebeanalytical essayAccording to David Whittaker, Achebe’s work “proved to be an immensely influential work for African writers, becoming the progenitor of a whole movement of fiction, drama, and poetry, which focused on the revaluation of Africa’s history and cultures, and on representations of the culture conflicts that has their genesis in the colonial era.” This novel became a pivotal point of realization not only for Africa, but also for the world. All at once the world, afraid of what change may bring, pushed the same question to the back their mind: “What if we have it all wrong?” Suddenly, the culture of Africa was influencing the culture of America, Asia, Europe, Australia, etc. Achebe’s novel was a catalyst in the process of nationalist renewal and decolonization of African culture as a whole (Whittaker). A principle in this novel’s thematic course is the inter-generation conflict faced by not only the village as a whole, but also, on a microscopic level, in Okonkwo’s household. As the culture in Umuofia begins to shift, the predecessors of the current generation heavily rely on the cultural norms initiated by their father’s fathers. While tradition should be honored in a society, it should also be modified; this concept is not fully grasped by the older generations of
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's things fall apart emphasizes cultural aspects that were considered controversial at the time of publication in both african and american culture.
- Analyzes how achebe creates a traditional plot line with okonkwo and portrays women as they are seen in nigeria. the ideals of feminine roles are overshadowed by the dominance of males.
- Analyzes how the village of umuofia practices a religion that revolves around the "oracle of the hills and the caves".
- Analyzes how achebe's novel was a catalyst in the process of nationalist renewal and decolonization of african culture.
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's things fall apart set a standard in african literacy, but also global literary agendas. the monumental spotlights on feminine roles, religious views, and cultural standards revealed that controversial topics can be approached respectfully from both ends of the literary spectrum.
930 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayIn Achebe’s book, “Things Fall Apart”, the life of a Nigerian man named Okowkwo is depicted. At first look, it may seem that Okowkwo’s story is the main theme of the book, but upon further examination it is easy to see that the plight of his indigenous Igbo people are the main theme representing what really fell apart.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how achebe's book, "things fall apart", depicts the life of a nigerian man named okowkwo. the plight of his indigenous igbo people is the main theme.
- Analyzes how achebe introduces the reader to the intricate culture of the igbo people from the earliest chapters in the book.
- Analyzes how achebe uses foreshadowing to illustrate the problems that the igbo people will have leading to the cultural breakdown of their people.
- Analyzes how achebe describes the arrival of missionaries in mbanta to spread the message of their christianity, bringing along with them the english government system.
- Analyzes how the outcasts of the igbo people welcome the missionaries and their christian beliefs. achebe focuses on okonkwo's son to illustrate this paradigm shift.
- Analyzes how achebe introduces the white christians who live by the thought that we are all related as sons of god.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's disillusionment with his father caused him to question who was to blame. the deterioration of this relationship mirrors the larger image of the entire cultures undoing.
- Analyzes how achebe's story of the igbo people is filled with his deep respect for the ancestry of his own family.
- Cites achebe, c. (2012). how things fell apart.
1066 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayThings Fall Apart, a novel based on the cultures and the traditions of the Igbos depict a very strong sense of struggle between change and tradition. This story is somewhat an archetype of To Kill a Mocking Bird. Not just centered on sociopolitical views but also cultural and traditional beliefs, Achebe specifically defines each speck of this Eastern Nigerian culture, from the breaking of the “kola –a caffeine-containing nut of evergreen trees to the unmasking of the egwuegwu and spiritual sacrifices to the gods and ancestors. Kola, a very essential part of the Igbo culture is represented in so many ways; it signifies peace, blessing, wealth, abundance, and respect most especially. In this society, the contest for wealth, titles and success was very important, it was a great legacy to be left by any man. Okonkwo being the strongest and most powerful man in the village had more than set a standard in that village by conquering the greatest warrior of all time. He had a symbiotic relationship with his community, as much has he benefited from the community’s societal and cultural values, so did they benefit from his strength and will power to succeed.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how women can bear as many female children as they want, but when there is no male child to carry on the family name, it becomes a problem.
- Explains that although the book was written in the 20th century, comparing it to the 21st, no immense change. males are still considered very important to females.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's idea of masculinity is anger, arrogance, and bloodshed.
- Analyzes how achebe wrote this story in english not just to play to the tune of his people, but also to educate the westerners and emend the portrait of africa in the eyes of the white man.
- Analyzes how achebe defines societal standards as the basis for personal status in things fall apart, based on the cultures and traditions of the igbos.
1165 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayPost colonialism deals with cultural identity in colonized societies and the ways in which writers articulate that identity. Things Fall Apart is a good novel that serves as a reminder of what Nigeria once was. It shows how a society can deal with change, how change affects the individuals of that society, and how delicate a change can be; so much so that the people themselves are surprised at the change.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how post colonialism deals with cultural identity in colonized societies and the ways in which writers articulate that identity. things fall apart is a good novel that serves as reminder of what nigeria once was.
- Analyzes how things fall apart is an english novel by the nigerian author chinua achebe. the protagonist is okonkwo, an influential leader within the igbo community of umuofia in eastern nigeria.
- Analyzes how okonkwo exiles to his mother's land for seven years and the entry of the white man into the lives of african people.
- Analyzes how okonkwo returned to his village and his disappointment at the lack of interest in his arrival. the village has virtually ‘fallen apart’ with the entry of the white men.
- Analyzes how criticizes the british for their lack of sensitivity and laments the failure of okonkwo to save his people.
- Explains that mr. brown is a missionary in okonkwo's native village who tries to make the relationship between the christians and the villagers as stable as possible despite the dedication of some of his converts.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's life is on both sides of the pre- and post-european imperial era.
- Compares the igbo way of life before and after the arrival of europeans.
- Explains that the umuofia clan has an elaborate religious system based on their natural environment. the forest is respected and feared as a chief god, the evil forest.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's inner conflict with himself is one of the major themes in the novel.
- Analyzes how okonkwo experiences the conflict of traditionalist and new ways of the europeans. he is surprised by how things have changed and people follow the white man’s way of living.
- Analyzes how achebe uses vernacular language to convince the europeans, nigeria's potential in writing a novel in english while using the african language within passages.
- Analyzes how achebe uses his language to draw the reader in with one's own language and then show them an "inside" view of okonkwo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo, the main character, is a symbol representing the african natives who stand up against the changes brought in by the european settlers.
- Analyzes how achebe depicts the locusts in the novel as representing the white settlers and the igbo. okonkwo is associated with burning and fire itself.
- Analyzes how jonathan culler addresses the issues of feminism in things fall apart and concludes that women in the book are oppressed groups with little power.
- Analyzes how critics have compared things fall apart to a greek tragedy, while okonkwo is an allegorical everyman figure embodying existential paradoxes of the igbo culture in transition.
- Opines that okonkwo was doing what he had to do to protect his people and his land from the white people. he was a hero in his own way.
- Cites achebe, chinua, and suzanne pavlos' cliffs notes on things fall apart.
3008 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayThe white man considered Africans to be primitive savages. They were seen as inferior, second-class citizens. Chinua Achebe was an African novelist who sought to give the African people a voice. Achebe gave a prospective of African culture that had been missing from the literature. The white man primarily composed works of literature, therefore there was a skewed representation of African culture. Achebe conveyed a greater understanding of African culture through his first novel Things Fall Apart. This analysis will examine Okonkwo’s power and lack of freedom through his wealth, property, and actions.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe, an african novelist, conveyed a greater understanding of african culture through his first novel things fall apart.
- Analyzes how okonkwo, a wealthy and respected warrior of the umuofia clan, is embarrassed of his father's reputation and adopts opposite ideals.
- Explains okonkwo is one of the most powerful men in the tribe because of his personal achievements. he brought honor to his village by throwing analyze the cat.
- Explains that okonkwo was a wealthy farmer, had two barns full of yams, and had just married his third wife. he had taken two titles and showed incredible prowess in two inter-tribal wars.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's large family validated his wealth and ability to provide for his family, unlike his father who only passed down debts. being able to fight, work hard, and provide gave him his influence and power.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is powerful, but lacks freedom. he is imprisoned by societal influences and overcompensates for his father's weak ways.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is worried about being perceived as weak, he feels the need to always assert his dominance, and cuts the boy down despite the oracle's message.
- Analyzes how okonkwo strives to make his way in a world that seems to value masculinity, rejecting everything for which he believes his father stood, and adopts opposite ideals.
724 wordsRead More - No Longer At Ease by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayWell-acclaimed author, Chinua Achebe from Wes Africa, is recognized worldwide for his exquisite and intelligent usage of literary devices to bring to the limelight pertinent issues facing the African continent, more specifically Nigeria. He introduces the world to his main character Obi Okonkwo whom; through his eyes, a glimpse is given into the world of a Nigerian .In Things Fall Apart, his first of three novels, Okonkwo, upon his arrival from England is completely detached from his African heritage. From the novel, it is noticed that Obi Okonkwo slowly becomes a part of a dominant class whose corruption he finds repugnant. In an effort to choose between the acceptance of traditional values and the pleasures of a fast changing world, Obi finds himself in a tight fix .He is faced with growing pressures from the expectations of his family, his community, and the larger society around him. With unprecedented lucidity and a growing passion, Chinua Achebe’s No Longer at Ease remains till date a brilliant account of the challenges facing Nigeria today. This paper seeks to examine the representation of the colonial experiences of Obi Okonkwo in the fiction of Chinua Achebe.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes chinua achebe's use of literary devices to bring to the limelight pertinent issues facing the african continent, more specifically nigeria.
- Analyzes how achebe employs a pleasant style to his narrative through his use of imagery throughout the novel.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's life and education abroad shaped his life in so many diverse ways. he considered people without foreign education as archaic and lacking the necessary skills to critically analyze situations.
- Analyzes how okonkwo refused to pay a dowry on his girlfriend clara's head when an engagement ring performed the same function.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's exposure to the foreign world shaped him in the sense that he was able to relate to people from different walks of life.
- Explains that okonkwo was born into the catholic faith, but his zeal in the belief of god died down in england, which shows a negative side of globalization.
- Explains that obi okonkwo, having a foreign education, felt the need to live up to the standard of someone who had lived and studied in europe.
- Analyzes how achebe reinforces the colonial experience on okonkwo by using literary devices and descriptive words.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's education abroad brainwashed him into thinking differently from his fellow tribesmen. his girlfriend, clara, was an osu and tradition forbade him to marry her.
- Concludes that the colonial experiences of obi okonkwo through his education had an impact on his view of religion, globalization and the traditions of his people.
- Analyzes the blurb of chinua achebe's no longer at ease.
979 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayAccording to Webster’s dictionary, a tragic hero is a protagonist that is otherwise perfect except for flaws that are intrinsic to his or her character, which often leads to his or her demise. In Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo, the protagonist was unlike tragic heroes such as Oedipus, Iago and Beowulf, because he was not born into nobility, but had to rise to fame and earn respect through his exceptional stamina, hard work and his historic unrivaled success at defeating the famous Amalinze the Cat. Like Beowulf and Oedipus, Okonkwo shares traits that are characteristic of a tragic hero. These traits exposed his mortal fear of failure, his fear of weakness and his fear of becoming like his father who was lazy and poor. Okonkwo also possesses an unwavering pride and an irrepressible anger. Fear, pride and anger are some of the traits of a tragic hero that were inherent in Okonkwo, and this paper will seek to explore how these traits contributed to his downfall Okonkwo’s connection of manliness with rage, ferocity and recklessness eventually leads to his downfall. Okonkwo finds it difficult to accept the changes the Missionaries have brought to Umuofia. The missionaries changed the way the people of Umuofia think, leading to an irreversible division among the people.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's protagonist, okonkwo, shares traits that are characteristic of a tragic hero.
- Explains that fear is a concern about something that threatens to bring bad news or negative results. okonkwo's success was founded on fear of failure, which forced him to resent his father in everyway.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's aversion toward meekness and bravery made him chauvinistic. he hated everything that his father unoka loved.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's fear of being seen as meek and compassionate goads him to kill ikemefuna, a slave boy who lived with him for three years.
- Explains that pride is a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or displayed in bearing or conduct.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's uncontrollable anger was one of the major causes of his tragic fall; his aggressive nature runs counter to the very value he has as a clansman.
865 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayIn 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.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how achebe's novel, things fall apart, revolves around structured gender roles, from the crops that the men and women grow, to the characterization of crimes.
- Analyzes how gender equality is equal valuing of the different roles assumed by men and women in ibo society.
- Analyzes how gender roles are implicated in the characterization of crimes and the crops that are planted in ibo communities.
- Analyzes how okonkwo cannot show affection and respect to his daughter or himself because of gender roles because it will make him look like a weak person.
- Analyzes how promoted gender roles empower nwoye to hide his true self from his father. okonkwe teaches his son dishonesty in order to evade beatings.
603 wordsRead More