Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe

Achebe, about African Literature “The reason African Literature came into existence because these things that were supposed to represent [Africans] were inaccurate. There was a vacuum, a gap to be filled” ~Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe brief biography Born 1930 in a Christian family in Ogidi in Eastern Nigeria Went to college, taught at university Received the Nigerian National merit Award in 1987 By 1995 over 8 million copies of Things Fall Apart were sold

Nigeria

Igbo Society Social & Political Structures Lack of centralized political structures Lived in autonomous villages and towns, ruled by their elders Organized in patrilineages Democracy was obtained through a council of elders, age groups, councils of chiefs, women’s associations, and secret societies

Igbo Society Marriage Customs Marriages were discussed in depth as they brought families and entire villages together Most husbands practiced polygamy Igbo women lived in separate houses, cooked for themselves, and raised their own children Unhappy women could leave a marriage

Igbo Society Igbo Religion (polytheistic) Chukwu (the supreme being) is everywhere at the same time--therefore there are no shrines or altars for worship Ekwensu=trickster god who caused problems The ikenga = a wooden carving that symbolizes a man’s strength & success--a priest invokes a spirit into it and the men consult it for advice Chi = a person’s personal god…follows you throughout life and can be either malevolent or benevolent…but chi does not control destiny

Things Fall Apart Purpose Achebe’s purposes in writing the novel To celebrate and remember the Ibo cultural traditions of Nigerians To address the Western perception of Africa as “the Dark Continent” and counter Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.

Things Fall Apart Background The Igbo people and Okonkwo The colonization of Nigeria The setting and writing of the novel I. Purpose Achebe wrote his novel as a reaction to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness He felt it was a racist text He wanted to tell the real story of Nigerian Africans II. Igbo people Igbo people are not idealized characters (they are real NOT perfect) Okonkwo He is not a likeable character Masculine hero (strength, aggression, violence, recklessness) He is a problematic character Strength of the novel is its complexity (characters, morality/ethics) Readers must grapple with complex themes and their own beliefs III. Colonization of Nigeria 1890’s the British move into Nigeria They bring Christianity and government Indigenous people become second-class citizens Natural resources: Palm Oil, Cotton, and wood IV. The setting and writing of the novel Setting: 1860-1890 Period just preceding and the beginning British Colonization Written: 1952-58 Nigeria was working to secure their freedom - 1960

Things Fall Apart Themes Betrayal Change and Transformation Good and Evil Culture Clash Custom and Tradition Choices and Consequences Alienation and Loneliness

Things Fall Apart Characters Okonkwo: The proud, ambitious, and ill-tempered tragic hero Unoka: Okonkwo's father Ikemefuna: A young boy given to Umuofia by a neighboring village as tribute. Nwoye: Okonkwo's son. Ezinma: Okonkwo's favorite daughter Obierika: Okonkwo's great friend Mr. Brown: A white man and missionary. Mr. Smith: Mr. Brown's replacement.