Things fall apart - Chinua Achebe - NET | SET | African Literature Series Part XVI

Summary

In this video, Hina from Team Wallet discusses Chinua Achebe's novel *Things Fall Apart*, a tragedy set in pre-colonial Nigeria. The story follows Okonkwo, an ambitious Igbo man determined to avoid his father's weaknesses and rise to power in his village. The narrative explores themes of masculinity, tradition, colonialism, and the clash between old customs and new forces. As Okonkwo struggles with his son’s conversion to Christianity and the arrival of white settlers, the novel reveals the deep transformation of the Igbo community. Ultimately, *Things Fall Apart* highlights the destructive impact of colonization on indigenous cultures, culminating in Okonkwo's tragic end.

Takeaways

• 😀 The novel 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe is a tragedy set in pre-colonial Nigeria, specifically in the Igbo village of Umofia.
• 😀 Okonkwo, the protagonist, is a strong and masculine leader who resents his father Unoka's failures, aiming to break away from his legacy of weakness.
• 😀 Okonkwo’s personal god, or Chi, is believed to guide his destiny, and he chooses a path of strength, hard work, and leadership.
• 😀 Okonkwo is conflicted by the behavior of his son, Nwoye, who is drawn to gentleness and the stories told by his mother, rather than following the strict masculine traditions of his father.
• 😀 The novel explores the tension between masculinity and femininity, with Okonkwo encouraging aggression and toughness while dismissing gentleness as weakness.
• 😀 Okonkwo’s attachment to traditional customs is strong, but his rigid adherence leads to tragic consequences, including the killing of his surrogate son, Ikemefuna.
• 😀 The narrative addresses Igbo cultural practices, including the 'Week of Peace,' the role of proverbs, and the significance of locusts, which symbolize both sin and nourishment.
• 😀 Ikemefuna’s death is a pivotal moment, as it tests Okonkwo’s beliefs about duty, loyalty, and masculinity, deepening his emotional distance from his own son, Nwoye.
• 😀 Okonkwo’s eventual exile, following the unintentional murder of a clan member, symbolizes his downfall and loss of control over his destiny.
• 😀 The arrival of the white colonizers and their religion introduces cultural conflict, leading to the disintegration of the clan’s unity and Okonkwo’s despair.
• 😀 In the end, Okonkwo’s tragic death by suicide symbolizes the collapse of traditional values and the irreversible changes brought by colonization, leading to the novel's title, 'Things Fall Apart.'

Q & A

What is the central theme of *Things Fall Apart* by Chinua Achebe?

The central theme of *Things Fall Apart* is the conflict between tradition and change, particularly the disruption caused by colonialism on the Igbo society. The novel explores themes of masculinity, fate, and the breakdown of cultural traditions under foreign influence.

Who is the protagonist of *Things Fall Apart* and what drives his character?

The protagonist of *Things Fall Apart* is Okonkwo, an ambitious and strong-willed man who is driven by a desire to prove his masculinity and rise above his father’s legacy of weakness and failure. His rigid adherence to tradition and desire for power shape his actions throughout the novel.

What role does Okonkwo's father, Unoka, play in the story?

Unoka is portrayed as a weak and unsuccessful man who dies in debt and with no social status. His failure deeply affects Okonkwo, who strives to avoid becoming like his father. Unoka's legacy of failure contrasts sharply with Okonkwo’s desire to be strong and successful.

What does the term 'agbala' mean in the context of the novel?

'Agbala' is a derogatory term used to describe a man without title or status, or a woman. Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, is referred to as 'agbala,' and this term reflects the shame Okonkwo feels about his father's lack of success and masculinity.

How does Okonkwo's relationship with his son Nwoye evolve throughout the novel?

Okonkwo is disappointed by his son Nwoye, who is more inclined towards gentleness and music than to the violent masculinity that Okonkwo values. This leads to a strained father-son relationship. Eventually, Nwoye converts to Christianity, further distancing himself from Okonkwo.

What is the significance of Ikemefuna in Okonkwo’s life?

Ikemefuna is a boy from a neighboring village brought to Umofia as part of a peace settlement. Okonkwo becomes emotionally attached to Ikemefuna, who calls him 'father,' but Okonkwo is forced to kill him to adhere to clan traditions. Ikemefuna's death profoundly impacts Okonkwo and causes him to feel more isolated.

What role does religion play in *Things Fall Apart*?

Religion plays a significant role in the novel, especially with the arrival of Christian missionaries who challenge and disrupt the traditional beliefs of the Igbo people. Nwoye’s conversion to Christianity symbolizes the internal conflict between traditional Igbo values and the new religious ideologies introduced by the colonizers.

How does the arrival of the white missionaries affect the Igbo community?

The arrival of the white missionaries creates division within the Igbo community. Some members, like Nwoye, are attracted to the new religion, while others, like Okonkwo, resist the changes. The missionaries' influence gradually weakens the cohesion of the community, contributing to the eventual collapse of the Igbo society.

What does Okonkwo's suicide symbolize in the context of the novel?

Okonkwo’s suicide symbolizes the ultimate collapse of his personal identity and the disintegration of the Igbo traditions that he held dear. His inability to adapt to the changing times and his rejection by his own people lead him to take his own life as a final act of defiance.

How does the title *Things Fall Apart* reflect the events in the novel?

The title *Things Fall Apart* reflects the disintegration of both Okonkwo's life and the Igbo community under the pressure of colonialism. The phrase highlights the collapse of tradition, the loss of identity, and the fragmentation of the clan as they struggle to cope with the changing world brought by the white colonizers.