Things Fall ApartThings Fall Apart

by Chinua Achebe

Chinua AchebeChinua Achebe• 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

• 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

Chinua Achebe’s NovelsChinua Achebe’s Novels

• Achebe's novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society,

• the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era.

• Achebe's novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society,

• the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era.

“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

Achebe, about African LiteratureAchebe, about African Literature

Setting:Setting:• Story is set between 1860 & 1890- during

the coming of the white man to Nigeria.

• Written between 1952 & 1958- a time when Nigeria was finally ending colonial rule.

• In part, the novel is a response and antidote to a large tradition of European literature in which Africans are depicted as primitive and mindless savages.

• Story is set between 1860 & 1890- during the coming of the white man to Nigeria.

• Written between 1952 & 1958- a time when Nigeria was finally ending colonial rule.

• In part, the novel is a response and antidote to a large tradition of European literature in which Africans are depicted as primitive and mindless savages.

Igbo Society: Social & Political Structures

Igbo Society: Social & Political Structures• Lack of centralized political structures.

• Lived in autonomous villages & towns, ruled by their elders.

• Democracy was obtained through a council of elders, age groups, councils of chiefs, women’s associations, and secret societies.

• Lack of centralized political structures.

• Lived in autonomous villages & towns, ruled by their elders.

• Democracy was obtained through a council of elders, age groups, councils of chiefs, women’s associations, and secret societies.

Igbo Society: Marriage CustomsIgbo Society: Marriage Customs• Marriages were discussed in depth as they

brought families & 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.

• Marriages were discussed in depth as they brought families & 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: Religion (polytheistic)Igbo Society: 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 & 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.

• 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 & 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.

Themes:Themes:• Central theme- what happens to the values

that define Okonkwo’s cultural community & define his sense of moral order when everything collapses in the face of European colonialism.

• Colonial rule destabilizes traditional values & institutions.

• There is a crisis of authority & power, which leads to a crisis of culture.

• Central theme- what happens to the values that define Okonkwo’s cultural community & define his sense of moral order when everything collapses in the face of European colonialism.

• Colonial rule destabilizes traditional values & institutions.

• There is a crisis of authority & power, which leads to a crisis of culture.

ConflictsConflictsGenerational:

Okonkwo vs. UnokaOkonkwo vs. Nwoye

Cultural:Ibo vs. WesternTradition vs. ChristianityAssimilation vs. purity

Gender:Okonkwo vs. his wives

Inner:Okonkwo vs. himself

Generational:Okonkwo vs. UnokaOkonkwo vs. Nwoye

Cultural:Ibo vs. WesternTradition vs. ChristianityAssimilation vs. purity

Gender:Okonkwo vs. his wives

Inner:Okonkwo vs. himself

The Tragic HeroThe Tragic Hero• Enjoys an exalted position in society either by

birth or extraordinary achievements.

• Demonstrates wisdom, moral or philosophical greatness- sometimes physical prowess.

• Adheres to and exemplifies a code of conduct including reverence toward the laws of God and the universe, loyalty to the family, and respect for government.

• Enjoys an exalted position in society either by birth or extraordinary achievements.

• Demonstrates wisdom, moral or philosophical greatness- sometimes physical prowess.

• Adheres to and exemplifies a code of conduct including reverence toward the laws of God and the universe, loyalty to the family, and respect for government.

Tragic FlawTragic Flaw

• Possesses a flaw in personality or psyche that ultimately brings about total destruction.

• Okonkwo’s flaw:Uncontrollable AngerInflexibility

• Possesses a flaw in personality or psyche that ultimately brings about total destruction.

• Okonkwo’s flaw:Uncontrollable AngerInflexibility

Things Fall ApartThings Fall Apart

by Chinua AchebeThe End