Unit 7: Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1930-2013) Achebe was born in 1930, in Ogidi, a town in Eastern Nigeria (Umuofia in the novel was based on this town). European literature portraying Africans and Africa perpetuated racist stereotypes about the continent and the people who lived there. Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart to show the complexity of social, artistic, and cultural institutions of a specific tribe of Nigerian people. Watch: The Danger of a Single Story. Though controversial, Achebe chose to write his novel in English instead of his native language so that it would reach more people.

Colonial Nigeria French map of Africa c. 1898 with colonial claims: British possessions are in yellow; French possessions in pink; Belgian in orange; German in green; Portuguese in purple; Italian in striped pink; Spanish in striped orange; independent Ethiopia in brown Colonial Nigeria

What does this map tell us about who drew the national borders and what implications that might have for the people who must be forced to abide by them?

Igbo Culture Symbolize hospitality & life Kola Nuts Symbolize hospitality & life Breaking of the kola nut has spiritual significance

Palm trees = palm oil & palm wine Yam farm, yams are a food staple in Igbo culture

cowry shells = currency (money)

Sources of Authority in Igbo Culture democratic form of government ruled by elders (only male members of the clan) ancestors - speak through the egwugwu, important men of the village who become possessed by the spirits of ancestors also responsible for administering justice gods – animist embody forces of nature gods can be reached through consulting Oracle (Agbala) disobeying the Oracle = offending earth goddess=bad!

egwugwu Important men of the village who are dressed with masks and elaborate costumes The ancestral spirits speak through them Responsible for administering justice in the clan

Cultural (Human) Universals Donald Brown, a professor of anthropology, argues that there are universal traits or characteristics that can be found in human societies everywhere, regardless of culture. In reading Things Fall Apart, our goals are: to not get lost or fixated only on what is different, to not make uninformed judgements about an unfamiliar culture, and to not miss out on the important messages and characters in the novel due to confusion.

Brown’s Cultural (Human) Universals Language – all cultures use some type of communication, and symbolism is a common way humans use to represent abstract ideas or concepts Example: Proverbs Society – family units, being a member of an organized group or community Examples: relationships with parents, hierarchies within communities Myths & Rituals – belief systems, celebration of life and death, ceremonial events Examples: weddings, stories about the supernatural

Essential Questions Unit 7: Things Fall Apart

What is the role of literature (fiction) in studying history What is the role of literature (fiction) in studying history? Can it help us understand history? Can it “revise” history? What does that mean?

Are traditions (cultural, familial, societal) important Are traditions (cultural, familial, societal) important? What purpose do they serve?

How much does your gender influence your role in society?

How much power does fate hold over our lives How much power does fate hold over our lives? Do our actions influence our fate?

What does power look like. What does it mean to have power What does power look like? What does it mean to have power? Who has power in our society? Who doesn’t?