Chinua Achebe – Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (1958) is a landmark African novel depicting Igbo society before and during the arrival of British colonialism. Through the life of Okonkwo, a powerful but tragic leader of Umuofia, the novel explores tradition, masculinity, religion, culture, conflict and the collapse of a way of life. It is divided into three parts, moving from the flourishing Igbo world to the disruption caused by European missionaries and colonial rulers.
Summary of the Novel
Part One – Igbo Life Before Colonisation
The novel begins by introducing Okonkwo, known throughout the nine villages for his strength, wrestling victories and leadership. He rises from poverty through hard work and rejects everything associated with his lazy father Unoka.
Achebe gives a rich picture of Igbo life:
- agriculture (yam farming)
- family structures
- marriage customs
- festivals and rituals
- gods, spirits and ancestors
- justice system (the egwugwu)
Okonkwo’s household includes:
- Nwoye – troubled son
- Ikemefuna – adopted boy later killed
- Ekwefi – Okonkwo’s second wife
- Ezinma – Ekwefi’s only surviving daughter and Okonkwo’s favourite child
A major turning point occurs when the Oracle orders the killing of Ikemefuna. Okonkwo participates, damaging his relationship with Nwoye and his own emotional balance.
Soon after, at a funeral ceremony, Okonkwo accidentally kills a clansman. This is a serious offense and he is exiled to his mother’s village, Mbanta, for seven years.
Part Two – Exile & Arrival of Missionaries
In Mbanta, Okonkwo feels humiliated and powerless. Meanwhile, Christian missionaries arrive in the region. They preach a new religion that attracts:
- outcasts (osu)
- younger men seeking change
- those rejected by tradition
Okonkwo’s son Nwoye converts to Christianity, causing a deep emotional wound. Okonkwo views Christianity as a threat to Igbo culture and to masculinity. He dreams of returning to Umuofia to regain his former status.
Achebe shows how colonialism begins quietly—through religion—before turning political.
Part Three – Return, Conflict & Tragic End
When Okonkwo returns to Umuofia, he finds his village changed. Britain has established:
- a church
- a court
- a District Commissioner
- colonial laws
The clan is no longer united or powerful. Some leaders are imprisoned and humiliated by the District Commissioner.
Okonkwo believes rebellion is necessary. When a court messenger arrives to stop a village meeting, Okonkwo kills him in anger.
But the villagers do not join him. Okonkwo realises that his world has “fallen apart.” He chooses to die by suicide—an act considered abominable in Igbo culture.
The novel ends with bitter irony: The District Commissioner sees Okonkwo’s life as just a footnote for his book on colonised tribes. Achebe highlights how colonial narratives erase the humanity of the colonised.
Major Characters
- Okonkwo – Tragic hero; obsessed with strength; destroyed by fear of weakness.
- Nwoye – Sensitive son who converts to Christianity.
- Ikemefuna – Adopted boy whose death haunts the family.
- Ezinma – Okonkwo’s beloved daughter; strong-willed and intelligent.
- Unoka – Okonkwo’s father; lazy but gentle.
- Mr. Brown – A kind missionary who tries to understand the Igbo.
- Reverend Smith – Harsh missionary who attacks Igbo beliefs.
- District Commissioner – Symbol of colonial authority.
Major Themes
- Tradition vs. Change – Clash between Igbo customs and colonial values.
- Colonialism & Cultural Erosion – Step-by-step destruction of Igbo identity.
- Masculinity & Fear – Okonkwo’s fear of weakness shapes his downfall.
- Religion & Conversion – Christianity offers refuge to some and conflict to others.
- Tragic Heroism – Okonkwo embodies classical tragedy in an African context.
Symbols
- Yams – Masculinity, wealth, status.
- Locusts – Arrival of white colonialists.
- Fire – Okonkwo’s violent nature (“Roaring Flame”).
- Drums & Festivals – Igbo cultural unity.
Critical Analysis
- Achebe rewrites African history from an African perspective.
- The novel challenges colonial stereotypes of “primitive tribes.”
- Okonkwo’s tragedy mirrors the larger tragedy of a collapsing culture.
- Achebe shows both strengths and flaws of Igbo society with honesty.
- The ending exposes how colonial narratives erase indigenous voices.
Quick Revision Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Author | Chinua Achebe |
| Title | Things Fall Apart |
| Published | 1958 |
| Structure | 3 Parts |
| Setting | Igbo villages of Nigeria (Umuofia, Mbanta) |
| Main Themes | Colonialism, tradition, masculinity, culture, tragedy |
| Protagonist | Okonkwo |
| Message | Colonialism destroys cultures; fear and rigidity lead to self-destruction. |
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