Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe | Part 3, Chapter 20

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1 Oct 201903:32

Summary

TLDRIn 'Things Fall Apart', Okonkwo returns to Umuofia with ambitions to reclaim lost time, expand his compound, and secure titles for his sons. However, he finds his village transformed by the encroaching church and British rule, with locals embracing Christianity and a court system that alienates traditional values. Okonkwo's struggle to adapt to these changes reflects the broader disintegration of Igbo society as it grapples with colonialism and the erosion of its once-unified culture.

Takeaways

🏡 Okonkwo returns to his village with ambitions to rebuild his life and status after his exile.
💪 He plans to regain lost time by expanding his compound, taking new wives, and ensuring his sons gain titles.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Okonkwo's patriarchal mindset is evident in his desire to raise his sons as men and his dismissive attitude towards daughters.
🌱 Achebe portrays a society in transition as Okonkwo finds his village changed by the influence of the Christian Church and British colonial rule.
🏛 The growth of the church and the presence of the court signify the erosion of traditional Igbo practices and values.
👮‍♂️ The court's messengers, who enforce British laws, are resented by the villagers and nicknamed 'Ashy Buttocks'.
🔪 Okonkwo's friend Obierika laments the disunity among the clansmen, noting that the white man's arrival has sown discord.
🤔 Okonkwo struggles to comprehend the magnitude of the changes, focusing on personal ambitions rather than collective challenges.
🏙️ The novel illustrates the impact of colonialism on Igbo society, showing how it fragments the community and undermines traditional authority.
🤝 Despite the challenges, Okonkwo and Obierika's silent reflection represents a shared concern for their society's future.

Q & A

What is Okonkwo's plan upon returning to Umuofia?
-Okonkwo plans to regain the seven years he lost during his exile, build a bigger compound, take two new wives, get titles for his sons, and show off his wealth by initiating them into the most exclusive circles of clan society.
How does Okonkwo view Azieema, his daughter?
-Okonkwo is especially close to Azieema, who grew up during his exile. He sees her as a beautiful young woman who understands him and carries out his requests.
What significant changes does Okonkwo find in the village upon his return?
-Upon returning, Okonkwo finds that the church has grown, including high-ranking men who have abandoned traditional ways. There is also a court with an English district commissioner, court messengers, and a prison.
What is the villagers' nickname for the court messengers, and why do they dislike it?
-The villagers call the court messengers 'Ashy Buttocks,' a nickname that infuriates them and causes them to become more violent and aggressive.
Why does Obierika believe it is too late for the clan to fight against the changes?
-Obierika reminds Okonkwo of the fate of the Aba May people and explains that it is too late because the clan has already fallen apart, with many of its members joining the strangers.
How does Obierika describe the impact of the white man's arrival on the clan?
-Obierika says the white man was smart to come quietly and peaceably, and that he has put a knife on the things that held the clan together, causing them to fall apart.
What is Okonkwo's attitude towards the traditional titles in the face of the new power structures?
-Okonkwo remains determined that his sons will gain titles, willfully ignoring that the titles don't matter anymore as power has shifted to the Christian Church and the British government.
What does Okonkwo fail to see about his daughter Azieema?
-Okonkwo can sense the fire within Azieema but fails to value it in a woman, reflecting his patriarchal beliefs.
How does the chapter end in terms of Okonkwo and Obierika's response to the challenges faced by the clan?
-The chapter ends with Okonkwo and Obierika sitting together in silence, as they have no answers to the challenges the clan faces.
What does the title 'Things Fall Apart' signify in the context of Part Three of the novel?
-The title signifies the devastation wrought by the white men and the undermining of traditional practices of justice, religion, and community, leading to the disintegration of the clan's unity.
How does Okonkwo's patriarchal mindset affect his view of his daughter's capabilities?
-Okonkwo's patriarchal mindset prevents him from recognizing and valuing the strength and capabilities of his daughter Azieema, despite her evident understanding and support of his wishes.

Outlines

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🏠 Okonkwo's Return and Ambitions

In this section, Okonkwo returns from his exile in Mbanta and is determined to regain the seven years he considers wasted. His ambitions include expanding his compound, taking two new wives, and securing titles for his sons. He wants to establish his family’s prominence and show off his wealth by involving his sons in the highest social circles of the clan. Despite his break with Nwoye, whom he now scornfully calls a woman, Okonkwo resolves to raise his five other sons to be strong men. He also plans to find a suitable husband for his daughter, Ezinma, with whom he shares a special bond. Despite this closeness, Okonkwo regrets that Ezinma was not born a boy, as he recognizes her strength and intelligence.

⛪ The Village's Transformation

Upon Okonkwo's return, he is shocked to see how much Umuofia has changed. The Christian church has gained significant influence, and many respected members of the clan have joined it, abandoning traditional customs. The village now has a court led by an English District Commissioner who presides over legal cases. Court messengers, who are local men recruited by the British, have become notorious for their cruelty towards prisoners. The prisoners are often clansmen who have violated the new laws of the white men, and they suffer harsh treatment at the hands of the messengers, who are mockingly called 'ashy buttocks' due to the color of their shorts.

⚔️ Okonkwo's Frustration with Clan's Inaction

Okonkwo discusses the changes with his friend Obierika, expressing frustration over the clan's unwillingness to fight back against the white men. Obierika explains that many clansmen have already allied with the colonizers, making resistance difficult. He uses the fate of the Abame people as an example of the dangers of confronting the British. Obierika poignantly notes that the white man was clever in his approach, first coming peacefully and gradually dismantling the foundations of the Igbo society, causing it to fall apart from within. This realization highlights the internal division and weakening of the clan, which now struggles to unite against a common threat.

💔 The Fall of Igbo Society

This part of the chapter emphasizes the disintegration of Igbo society under the influence of colonialism. Obierika’s statement that the white man 'has put a knife on the things that held us together' signifies the cultural and societal breakdown. The traditional practices of justice, religion, and community have been eroded, leaving the clan unable to act as one. Okonkwo, however, fails to fully grasp the magnitude of these changes and remains fixated on ensuring that his sons gain titles—symbols of a power structure that no longer holds significance. Despite seeing the passion in his daughter Ezinma, Okonkwo cannot appreciate her potential because of his rigid patriarchal beliefs. The section closes with Okonkwo and Obierika sitting in silence, reflecting their helplessness in the face of the challenges posed by the colonizers.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Okonkwo

Okonkwo is the main character in Chinua Achebe's *Things Fall Apart*. He is a proud, ambitious, and often stubborn man, determined to rebuild his status after seven years of exile. Okonkwo's character embodies traditional values, and he strives to regain his lost honor, planning to expand his wealth, take new wives, and elevate his sons. His patriarchal views and attachment to traditional customs clash with the changes in his society.

💡Exile

Exile refers to Okonkwo's forced removal from his village after accidentally killing a clansman. This exile lasts for seven years and deeply affects him, as he is determined to reclaim the time and status he perceives as lost. It symbolizes the disruption of his life and the erosion of traditional Igbo values during his absence, which further accelerates the changes brought by the white colonizers.

💡Patriarchy

Patriarchy refers to the system of male dominance that Okonkwo upholds in his family and society. He believes strongly in traditional gender roles, lamenting that his daughter Ezinma, whom he loves and admires, was not born a boy. This patriarchal mindset prevents him from fully appreciating Ezinma’s potential as a woman, highlighting the rigid social structures that govern his world.

💡Ezinma

Ezinma is Okonkwo’s favorite daughter, described as intelligent, beautiful, and understanding of her father's desires. Although Okonkwo wishes she were born a boy due to her admirable qualities, Ezinma embodies the complexities of gender roles in Igbo society. She demonstrates independence and influence over her half-sister, showing that women, even within a patriarchal society, play significant roles in the family and community.

💡Christianity

Christianity represents the new religious system introduced by the white missionaries, which has taken root in Okonkwo's village during his exile. The church's growth is a symbol of colonial influence, and it has attracted many of the village’s respected men, leading to a shift in power dynamics. This religious change undermines traditional Igbo beliefs and contributes to the fragmentation of the once-united clan.

💡Colonialism

Colonialism is depicted through the presence of the British government and their legal system, represented by the English District Commissioner and the court messengers. These foreign powers impose new laws and governance, challenging the indigenous structures of justice and society. Colonialism erodes the cultural cohesion of the Igbo people, as seen when Okonkwo returns to a village changed by the influences of the white men.

💡Ashy Buttocks

Ashy Buttocks is a derogatory nickname given to the court messengers by the villagers. These messengers, local men recruited to enforce the foreign laws, are symbols of betrayal, as they have sided with the colonialists against their own people. Their oppressive behavior towards prisoners, including mistreatment, is a source of resentment among the villagers and reflects the harsh realities of colonial rule.

💡Igbo Society

Igbo society, as depicted in *Things Fall Apart*, is traditionally communal, with strong values of justice, religion, and social hierarchy. However, by the time Okonkwo returns from exile, these traditional structures are disintegrating under the pressure of colonialism and Christianity. The society's inability to act as a united front against foreign influence is a central theme, highlighting the deep cultural changes occurring.

💡Obierika

Obierika is Okonkwo’s close friend, and he serves as a voice of reason and reflection. While Okonkwo is determined to fight against the changes in their society, Obierika recognizes the futility of resistance, acknowledging how deeply the white men have divided the clan. He is more pragmatic and insightful, understanding that the bonds that once united the Igbo people have been severed by colonial forces.

💡Titles

Titles in Igbo society represent status and honor. Okonkwo is deeply invested in the idea of his sons gaining titles, as it symbolizes wealth, respect, and success in traditional terms. However, as the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that these titles have lost their value due to the shift in power to the Christian Church and the colonial administration. Okonkwo's fixation on titles illustrates his inability to adapt to the changing social order.

Highlights

Okonkwo returns to Umuofia after seven years of exile, determined to regain his lost status.

He plans to build a bigger compound, take two new wives, and gain titles for his sons.

Okonkwo wants to display his wealth and initiate his sons into the elite circles of the clan.

He is especially close to his daughter, Ezinma, whom he wishes was a boy.

Ezinma has grown into a beautiful young woman who understands and follows her father’s wishes.

Okonkwo’s disappointment with his son Nwoye, whom he now refers to as a 'woman,' contrasts with his hopes for his other sons.

Upon returning, Okonkwo finds Umuofia has dramatically changed, with the church and British colonial structures gaining power.

High-ranking men in the village have abandoned clan traditions and joined the church.

A court and English district commissioner now judge legal cases in Umuofia.

Local men serve as court messengers, often mistreating prisoners who defy the white man’s laws.

One Klansman is hanged for killing a man, and the court messengers earn the derogatory nickname 'ashy buttocks.'

Okonkwo is frustrated by the clan’s passive response to these changes and asks Obierika why they don’t fight back.

Obierika explains that many Klansmen have already joined the strangers, making it impossible to resist.

Obierika reflects on how the white man 'put a knife on the things that held us together,' leading to the clan's fragmentation.

The chapter ends with Okonkwo and Obierika sitting in silence, unable to confront the overwhelming changes brought by colonization.