Tragedy in Chinua Achebe´s Things Fall Apart
analytical Essay
590 words
Set in Africa in the 1890s, Chinua Achebe's ‘Things Fall Apart’ is about the tragedy of Okonkwo during the time Christian missionaries arrived and polluted the culture and traditions of many African tribes. Okonkwo is a self-made man who values culture, tradition, and, above all else, masculinity. Okonkwo’s attachment to the Igbo culture and tradition, and his own extreme emphasis on manliness, is the cause of his fall from grace and eventual death. Within the Obi tribe, Okonkwo is an important man, who has risen from nothing to a man of great wealth and social status. Okonkwo is obsessed with masculinity, and he has a very narrow view of “manliness”. Okonkwo's relationship with his dead father is the root of his violent and ambitious conduct. He wants to rise above his father's legacy of laziness, which he views as weak and therefore feminine. This drive and fierce pride made him a great man, but they are also the source of all of his faults. The Igbo are deeply patriarchal and violence is not uncommon. This male-dominance is inherent in the clan's language; the word for a man who ...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes chinua achebe's 'things fall apart' about okonkwo, a self-made man who values culture, tradition, and masculinity. his attachment to igbo culture and tradition is the cause of his fall from grace and eventual death.
- Describes okonkwo as an important man who has risen from nothing to a man of great wealth and social status. his relationship with his dead father is the root of his violent and ambitious conduct.
- Explains that the igbo are deeply patriarchal and violence is not uncommon. this male-dominance is inherent in the clan's language.
- Explains that okonkwo is deeply dedicated to the traditions and social hierarchies of his people. his sense of self-worth is dependent upon the traditional standards by which society judges him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's idea of manliness is an extreme version of the clan’s. he associates masculinity with aggression and feels that anger is the only emotion that he should display.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's ‘surrogate son’ ikemefuna exemplifies all that he wants his own son to be like and almost loves him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is determined to prove he is unshakeable. the priestess of agbala caries ezinma to her cave.
- Analyzes okonkwo's seven-year exile from his village reinforces his notion that men are stronger than women and reminds himself that his maternal kinsmen are not as war-like and fierce as he remembers the villagers of umuofia to be.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's gun explodes during ezeudu’s funeral, killing one of his sons. even though the death is accidental, the act is an abomination to the igbo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo had hoped to return to his fatherland with joy and celebration, but he finds umuofia sadly changed.
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- Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essay“The white man had indeed brought a lunatic religion…” (153) thought Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. In the novel, the main character Okonkwo and his son Nwoye experience sudden changes in their village from the arrival of white men. They once began their lives in their native Ibo village of Umoufia. After Okonkwo commits a murder by accident, he is forced to be exiled to Mbanta for seven years. During the years of his exile, Okonkwo hears about white men missionaries appearing in Umuofia, who later come to Mbanta. The missionaries have promoted Christianity in both villages and some of the villagers even converted from Ibo culture to Christian. Finally, after the seven years, Okonkwo and Nwoye return to the new Umuofia, where little Ibo culture remains. Okonkwo and Nwoye react to the changed village differently. They have dissimilar perceptions about the influence of the white men because they had distinct life experiences that shaped their own views on life.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo and his son experience sudden changes in their village from the arrival of white men in chinua achebe's things fall apart.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was raised by a poor, unsuccessful father who wanted to become an opulent, superior man — he cannot accept his status as well-known in umuofia.
- Explains okonkwo and nwaye's different perceptions about the influence of the white man is because they didn't understand change in life.
- Analyzes how okonkwo and nwaye have contrasting perspectives about the effect of the white men.
- Analyzes how okonkwo and nwaye's lives were raised differently, which impacted their perception of the white man’s influence. everyone has different views at life.
543 wordsRead More - Character Analysis Of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayWithin every man is a story to be told; one that is evolving day by day and night by night. Each new experience births a fresh reaction that represents a strand of generational DNA. As the chain of events progresses, two things may occur. An individual may follow in path of this genetic pull or dislike it so much that he/she may stray far away from it. In the case of Okonkwo, it was the latter.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that each new experience births a fresh reaction that represents generational dna. an individual may follow in path of this genetic pull or dislike it so much that he/she may stray far away.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is crippled by his own desire to escape his father's shadow. the generational traits impact the characterizations of each individual in such a profound way.
- Analyzes okonkwo's father, unoka, according to the umuofia clan, embodied what it meant to be a useless man.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was motivated by the lackluster efforts of his father. his deepest thoughts spewed hatred for unoka that drove him to be the exact opposite.
- Explains that okonkwo was not judged according to his father's worth, which allowed him to become a well-respected man.
- Explains that okonkwo was quick to anger and had no patience for unsuccessful men. he once beat his wife for not preparing his meal during the week of peace.
- Analyzes how okonkwo knew how to kill a man's spirit. he was sharp with his tongue and didn't respect men without titles.
- Explains that the arrival of ikemefuna revealed a great deal about the character of okonkwo, who was chosen to keep and raise the boy until they decided what to do with him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was fond of ikemefuna, but he never revealed his approval of his son's growth.
- Describes how umuofia decided to kill ikemefuna, who lived with okonkwo for three years and was now well-adjusted to his environment.
- Narrates how a wise man warned and instructed okonkwo to have nothing to do with the death of ikemefuna. the boy was afraid to look back as if his adopted father left him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was more concerned about his image amongst his peers than his love for ikemefuna. it takes a special kind of person to have the courage to kill someone who calls him father.
- Narrates how okonkwo couldn't sleep at night because he kept thinking about ikemefuna. he began to question things internally after the death of his dear friend.
- Explains that okonkwo was a warrior who was not scared of blood. however, he was exiled with his family and could not return until after seven years.
- Describes how missionaries settled in umuofia and won over many converts. okonkwo's son nwaye became a convert and disowned his father.
- Analyzes how okonkwo excelled in the same culture that troubled his son. now that the church grew, it challenged the customs of umuofia.
- Narrates how okonkwo returned to umuofia and felt like his father who didn't fit in the society he was a part of. he fought against the church, and anger was at an all-time high.
- Narrates how okonkwo killed one of the umuofia clan's men, despite the uproar and the plan of action, the clan failed to support him.
- Describes how okonkwo felt he had no other choice but to kill himself. he hung himself on a tree which was considered an abomination.
- Opines that okonkwo was a strong willed man, but his constant opposition to becoming like his father brought him sorrow and ultimately led to his death. his fate was sealed since the beginning.
1780 wordsRead More - Masculinity And Feminility In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayOkonkwo, main character of the novel, put his gentleness and kindness aside long time ago when he decided to not ended up as a failure like his father. From his point of view every stories has based on sensible, kindness, and nonviolent themes are foolish and girlish, therefore every time that Okonkwo’s oldest son Nwoye wanted to hear his mother’s stories, he has faced his father’s rage and got beaten by him. However by the entrance of Ikemefuna to Okonkwo’s live his abusive reactions toward Nwoye has been changed for a while due to Ikemefuna’s positive influences on Nwoye. One of the examples of Okonkwo interest in masculinity was during the time that Nwoye starts to show some signs of masculinity due to Ikemefuna’s influences. Ikemefuna “was like an elder brother to Nwoye … He made him feel grown-up, and they no longer spent the evenings in his mother 's hut while she cooked, but now sat with Okonkwo in his obi, or watched him as he tapped his palm tree for the evening wine.”(Achebe, 52) Nwoye started to please his father by doing some masculine tasks “in the home, like splitting wood, or pounding food.”(Achebe, 52). “Okonkwo was inwardly
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how achebe's "things fall apart" focuses on the contrast between feminine and masculine in the african tribes, specifically umofia.
- Analyzes how achebe introduced two types of stories to his audience, one symbolizes women and the other men. okonkwo put his gentleness and kindness aside when he decided to not end up as a failure like his father.
- Analyzes how okonkwo encouraged the boys to sit with him in his obi, and told them stories of violence and bloodshed. folktales were a sign of femininity, highlighting the superiority of masculinity over feminine.
- Analyzes how achebe highlights the masculinity vs. femininity theme by using wrestling matches to show how men are respected and have more dignity than women.
- Analyzes how achebe used masculinity vs femininity as one of his centric themes in his book "things fall apart".
1052 wordsRead More - Tragic Hero In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayThe concept of a tragic hero is one of the most notable and widespread literary tropes, having been in existence for over some 2000 years. As defined by Aristotle in his Poetics, a tragic hero is someone who undergoes a struggle far more potent than deserved. Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, exhibits a tragic hero through its protagonist, Okonkwo. Achebe achieves this status through his tragic flaw of excessive pride, his ultimate demise caused by said pride, and his ability to evoke fear and pity within the audience.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's novel, things fall apart, exhibits a tragic hero through its protagonist, okonkwo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's tragic flaw comes in the form of excessive pride, something loosely established through his personality.
- Analyzes okonkwo's demise in things fall apart. his pride causes him to take his own life and is buried like a dog for it.
- Analyzes how the rise and fall of okonkwo leaves the audience with conflicting emotions, most notably pity and fear.
- Argues that okonkwo represents a tragic hero, although not the typical one. between his complex, multilayered sense of pride, his collapse at the hands of his unbending will, and his pitiful background, one can easily understand why
1141 wordsRead More - An Analysis of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayThe Importance of Things Fall Apart The novel "Things Fall Apart", by Chinua Achebe, was an eye-opening account of the life and eventual extinction of an African tribe called the Ibo. It focuses on one character, Okonkwo, who at a very early age set out on a quest of self-perfection. Coming from a family ruled by a man who was lazy and inconsistent with everything he did, Okonkwo vowed to never accept the fate of his father. Okonkwo and his family suffered through many hard times in their lives, but usually managed to come out on top.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" is an eye-opening account of the life and eventual extinction of an african tribe called the ibo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo defied the gods of his tribe by beating his wife, ojiugo, during the sacred week. he chose death and eternity as a lost/evil soul.
- Opines that chinua achebe broke down the language barriers of english and ibo.
660 wordsRead More - Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayIn Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe there are many characters with many different personalities. In the story you first get introduced to Okonkwo and his father Unoka. However they are related by blood but they have totally different personalities. Okonkwo and his father Unoka have very little in common but many differences that set them apart and make their future.
In this essay, the author
- Introduces okonkwo and his father unoka in chinua achebe's the relationship of father and son. they are related by blood but have totally different personalities.
- Analyzes how okonkwo and his father unoka have very little in common. their anger plays an important role in their lives.
- Compares okonkwo and his father unoka, who were both hard workers, lazy, and a failure to their clan.
- Explains that okonkwo's fear build up so much that it changed his life. the father and son had many differences with only a few similarities.
690 wordsRead More - Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayMen and women in every society have different roles to fulfill. In Things Fall Apart, the author Chinua Achebe sets the book in Umuofia, a village full of numerous Igbo communities. Achebe bases the story around Okonkwo, a well respected leader of the Igbo community. Now each man in the the community has more than one wife and multiple children. Women are portrayed as weak servants. But the men are ruler of their huts and can punish their wives for almost anything.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe sets things fall apart in umuofia, a village full of numerous igbo communities. each man in the community has more than one wife and multiple children.
- Explains that men and women are similar in their community because they both grow crops, but they differ because men have the main jobs to uphold and commit crimes on purpose. women are stay at home moms and their crimes are done on accident.
- Analyzes how the main character, okonkwo, represents the majority of the men in the village. he is strict with his family, is a fierce warrior and wrestler, and grows many crops.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's wives represent all the women in the village because they are treated like slaves. they cook, clean, and grow crops while raising their children.
- Explains that in the igbo village, men and women have different types of crimes. the ironic crime occurred during the betrothal ceremony dedicated to ezeudu.
- Analyzes how men and women in igbo society both grow crops and set good example for their village. okonkwo represents the men of the village because he is strict with his family, grows crops, and is fierce warrior.
786 wordsRead More - Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayIn Things Fall Apart, Achebe changes Nwoye from a boy who struggles to please his father Okonkwo to a deeply converted Christian that defies his Okonkwo’s wishes. Achebe showed this by making Nwoye enter a very sad and vulnerable state made him very susceptible to the culture collision that the missionaries brought. Achebe was trying to show that the weak minded were the first to be changed when a new culture entered a more traditional one.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how achebe transforms nwoye from a boy who struggles to please his father to an deeply converted christian that defies his okonkwe’s wishes. he makes him vulnerable to the culture collision that the missionaries brought.
- Analyzes how nwoye was always trying to earn okonkwe's respect from the start of the novel. he gave up things like reading the kind of stories he loved, but his father wanted him to be a man.
- Analyzes how nwyoe was attracted to the new faith from the very first day, but okonkwo persuaded him to convert to christianity.
- Analyzes how nwyoe's actions caused other ibo people to "fear for [the young people] because [they] do not understand how strong] the bond of kinship."
- Analyzes how achebe uses nwyoe as an example of what happens to weak willed minds during a cultural collision.
479 wordsRead More - Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayIn Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart, the powerful egwugwu cult sheds light on the connection between religion and government in Umuofia, while highlighting the traditions of the villages that keep the community together. In chapter 12 of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster states that “actions can also be symbolic” (112). Hence, Enoch’s unmasking of the egwugwu represents not only the death of Ibo gods and culture, but also the fall of a unified community.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" focuses on the egwu cult in umuofia, while highlighting the traditions of the villages that keep the community together.
- Analyzes how the ibo people's superstitions and beliefs in the active roles that divine beings play in their lives prompts them to see the egwugu as an unremarkable, mortal creature.
371 wordsRead More - An Analysis of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayAn Analysis of Things Fall Apart “A penny will hide the biggest star in the Universe…..” It’s very smart to step out of my own shoes in order to see myself clearly in a situation. It’s necessary to do this in order to see and understand the whole picture. It’s smarter yet, to not only step out of my own shoes, but into those shoes belonging to someone else. Belonging to someone different than me in as many ways possible.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" shows us the importance of stepping out of our own shoes in order to see and understand the whole picture.
- Analyzes how achebe's story brings up a lot of issues pertaining to everyday life, even today, such as tolerance, and asking questions about our ways and ourselves.
- Analyzes how okonkwo, the main character in things fall apart, is a member of the ibo culture. he is an extreme believer that his way is the only way.
- Analyzes how okonkwo takes it to the extreme by making readers feel a part of the ibo culture before the whites arrived.
- Analyzes how nyowe, okonkwo's son, opens his mind to new things and sets his own morals based on what he feels is right for him.
- Analyzes how nyowe questions who he is, and his culture, so when the whites come, nwoye conforms to christianity. achebe's story then asks us: were they right to invade the ibos ways?
- Analyzes how mr. brown respects traditional ibo beliefs and believes in peaceful harmonious relations. he was self-rewarded when he helped people with his school.
- Analyzes how achebe proved little realities that we so often ignore because we see no immediate rewards. he showed us that life is about driving across country as opposed to flying and interacting with other places.
- Opines that a penny will hide the biggest star in the universe, if you hold it close enough.
1633 wordsRead More