1. Introduction And Study Guide
Things Fall Apart
Introduction
And
Study Guide

2. The Author Chinua Achebe (1930-)
Born in Ogidi, Nigeria to missionary parents who raised him Protestant, though still preserving some of the aspects of their traditional Ibo culture.
Studied literature and medicine at the University of Ibadan; worked briefly as a teacher and then for the Nigerian Broadcasting Company.
Things Fall Apart was his first novel- published in 1958.
Many of his novels deal with the social and political problems of Nigeria.

3. The Author Chinua Achebe (1930-)
Worked in the service of the Biafran government during the Nigerian Civil War ( ).
Has worked since 1967 in academics as a professor at universities around the world.
Has received over twenty honorary doctorates from universities around the world.
Received the Nigerian National Merit Award for intellectual achievement in 1987
Married with four children and currently living in New York, where he holds a teaching position at Bard College.

4. The Setting
The novel is set in Nigeria towards the end of the nineteenth century, in the period just before the arrival of the white man.
It centers on the tribe of people known as the Ibo (or Igbo)

5. The Style of the Novel
Achebe has written this novel in order to show us what life was like in Nigeria in a specific historical period. He uses a number of techniques in order to make the writing authentic.
Simple sentences– Achebe uses a simple style of writing in most of the novel, because he wants to tell the story in the way that it might be told by a member of the Ibo tribe.

6. The Style of the Novel
Imagery– Achebe uses many similes and metaphors to bring the narrative to life and he uses the sorts of comparisons that relate to the Ibo way of life:
‘Okonkwo’s fame had grown like a bush-fire in the harmattan.’ (simile Ch. 1)
‘Proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.’ (metaphor Ch. 1)
‘He grew rapidly like a yam tendril in the rainy season.’ (simile Ch. 7)

7. The Style of the Novel
Proverbs– These wise sayings are very important, they are used to comment on human behavior and show the importance of oral communication within the community. Achebe uses them throughout the book, and they are drawn from Ibo experience.
‘The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.’
‘A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing.’

8. The Style of the Novel
Folk Tales– These are another important feature of Achebe’s novel. They are important because they relate to the events of the novel and they show us the values of the society.
The Mosquito and the Ear (Ch. 9)
The Tortoise and the Birds (Ch. 11)

9. Pronunciation Guide Chinua Achebe– CHIN-wa a-CHE-beh Abame– AH-bahm-eh
Agbala– A-ba-lah
Akuke– AH-koo-keh
Akunna– ah-kou-N-nah
Amikwu– ah-MEE-kwou
Anene– ah-NEH-neh
Ani– AHN-ee
Aninta– ah-NIN-tah
Chi– CHEE
Chielo– CHEE-el-o
Chukwu– CHOU-kwou

10. Pronunciation Guide Efulefu– EFF-ou-LEFE-ou Egwugwu– EH-gwou-gwou
Ekwefi– ek-weh-FEE
Ezeani– eh-ZA-nee
Ezenwa– eh-ZENG-wa
Ezeudu– e-zeh-OU-doo
Ezinma– eh-ZEE-mah
Ikemefuna– ikeh-Meh-fou-nah
Kiaga– kee-AHG-ah
Machi– MAH-chi
Maduka– MA-doo-KAH
Mbaino– M-ba-EE-no

11. Pronunciation Guide Mbanta– m-BAHN-tah Mgbogo– m-BO-goh
Nneka– n-NEH-kah
Nwakibie– ng-WA-KI-be-yeh
Nwayieke– NGWAH-YEH-keh
Nwoye– ng-WOY-yeh
Obiageli– O-bee-ki-GEL-ee
Obierika– O-byeh-REE-kah
Odukwe– O-douk-WEH
Ofoedu– OFF-o-EH-dou
Ogbanje– og-BAHN-jeh
Ogbuefi Indigo– o-bou-EH-fee Eedeego

12. Pronunciation Guide Ogbuefi Ugonna– o-bou-EH-fee ou-go-N-nah
Ojiugo– O-jee-OU-go
Okagbue Uyanwa– oh-KAE-bou-ou-YANG-wah
Okonkwo– o-KON-kwo
Onwimbiko– ong-woum-BEE-koh
Uchendu– ou-CHEN-doo
Umueru– ou-mou-EH-rou
Umuike– ou-mou-EH-keh
Umuofia– ou-mwoff-yah
Umuru– OU- mou-rou
Unoka– OU-no-ka
Uzuwulu– OU-zoh-WOU-lou