Things Fall Apart | Chinua Achebe | Cliff Note Books

“Things Fall Apart” is a novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, first published in 1958. The book tells the story of Okonkwo, a wealthy and respected Igbo warrior in Nigeria during the late 19th century. Okonkwo is a man of great strength and ambition who is determined to succeed in life and avoid becoming like his lazy and irresponsible father.

However, Okonkwo’s life begins to unravel when he accidentally kills a clansman and is exiled from his village for seven years. During his exile, European missionaries arrive and begin to convert the Igbo people to Christianity, leading to a clash between traditional Igbo culture and the new religion.

As the novel progresses, Okonkwo returns to his village only to find that it has been drastically changed by the influence of the missionaries. The novel explores the themes of colonialism, cultural clash, and the impact of change on traditional societies.

Throughout the book, Achebe portrays the complexity and richness of Igbo culture, while also critiquing the negative aspects of that culture such as the treatment of women and the use of violence as a means of resolving conflicts.

In the end, Okonkwo’s attempts to resist the changes brought by the Europeans ultimately lead to his downfall and tragic end, symbolizing the broader impact of colonialism on traditional African societies.

“Things Fall Apart” is a critically acclaimed and widely studied novel that has been important to the development of African literature and postcolonial studies. There are several reasons why this book is important to study in terms of literature:

1. It is a groundbreaking work of African literature: “Things Fall Apart” is widely regarded as the first novel of modern African literature. It was one of the first books to portray African life and culture from an African perspective, and it helped to establish a new tradition of African writing.
2. It challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about Africa: Achebe’s novel challenges the stereotypes and misconceptions about Africa that were prevalent in Western literature at the time. He shows the complexity and richness of African culture and critiques the negative aspects of colonialism.
3. It explores important themes and issues: The novel explores themes such as colonialism, cultural clash, masculinity, fate and free will, change and tradition, power and violence. These themes are relevant not only to African societies but to many other societies around the world.
4. It uses innovative literary techniques: Achebe uses a range of literary techniques in the novel, such as proverbs, folktales, and symbolism, to convey his ideas and themes. His innovative use of language and storytelling has had a significant influence on African literature and beyond.
5. It has had a global impact: “Things Fall Apart” has been translated into numerous languages and has been widely read and studied around the world. It has had a significant impact on the development of African literature and has influenced writers and scholars in many other fields.

What The Critics Had To Say

“Things Fall Apart” has received widespread critical acclaim since its publication in 1958. However, like any important work of literature, it has also faced some criticism. Here are some of the key points that critics have made about the book:

Positive reviews and critical reception:

1. “One of the most important pieces of fiction of the twentieth century.” – Margaret Atwood
2. “A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.” – The New York Times
3. “A beautifully balanced novel that has been able to remain true to its African roots while also achieving international recognition and acclaim.” – The Guardian
4. “A profound and important work of literature that captures the complexities of African society and the impact of colonialism with clarity and compassion.” – The Times Literary Supplement

Negative reviews and criticism:

1. “Achebe’s novel is too simplistic and one-sided in its portrayal of colonialism and Western culture.” – J.D. Fage
2. “The novel lacks a coherent narrative structure and is too fragmented in its style and themes.” – Richard Rive
3. “Achebe’s portrayal of women is problematic and perpetuates gender stereotypes.” – Elaine Showalter
4. “The novel is too nostalgic and romanticizes the traditional Igbo way of life, ignoring its negative aspects.” – Simon Gikandi

Despite these criticisms, “Things Fall Apart” remains an important and widely read work of literature, with a lasting impact on African and world literature.

Themes

Symbollism

Author

Quotes

Summaries

THEMES

1. Colonialism: The novel explores the destructive impact of European colonialism on traditional African societies. Achebe portrays the arrival of European missionaries and colonial administrators as a threat to the social, cultural, and political structures of the Igbo people.
2. Cultural clash: The clash between the traditional Igbo culture and the new religion and culture introduced by the Europeans is a central theme of the book. Achebe shows how these two worlds collide and how this collision leads to the breakdown of traditional society.
3. Masculinity: The novel examines the role of masculinity in Igbo culture and how it shapes Okonkwo’s life. Okonkwo’s rigid adherence to traditional ideas of masculinity ultimately leads to his downfall.
4. Fate and free will: The book explores the tension between fate and free will. Okonkwo’s tragic fate is partly the result of his own choices, but also the result of larger historical and cultural forces beyond his control.
5. Change and tradition: The novel grapples with the tension between the desire for progress and the need to preserve tradition. Achebe shows how the arrival of the Europeans disrupts traditional Igbo culture, but also suggests that some aspects of that culture needed to change.
6. Power and violence: The novel explores the relationship between power and violence. Achebe shows how violence is used to assert power in Igbo culture and how this violence ultimately leads to the downfall of the community.

SYMBOLLISM

1. Yam: Yam is a staple crop in Igbo culture and represents wealth, masculinity, and power. Okonkwo’s success as a farmer is a source of pride for him, and he measures his worth in large part by his ability to grow yams.
2. The locusts: The arrival of the locusts is seen as a sign of impending change and foreshadows the arrival of the Europeans. The locusts devour everything in their path, just as the Europeans will later devour the traditional Igbo way of life.
3. The egwugwu: The egwugwu are masked spirits who represent the ancestors and embody the traditional authority of the Igbo people. They are a symbol of the power and continuity of Igbo culture.
4. Fire: Fire is a recurring symbol in the book and is associated with both destruction and renewal. Okonkwo’s anger and violence are often described as a “fire” that consumes him, but fire is also used in the book to symbolize the power of storytelling and the ability of stories to preserve and renew culture.
5. The Oracle: The Oracle is a symbol of the spiritual and cultural authority of the Igbo people. The Oracle is consulted on important matters and is seen as a source of wisdom and guidance.
6. The title: The title of the book, “Things Fall Apart,” is a quote from the poem “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats. The title serves as a metaphor for the breakdown of traditional Igbo society in the face of European colonialism.

AUTHOR

Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, widely regarded as one of the most important African writers of the 20th century. He was born on November 16, 1930, in Ogidi, a small village in southeastern Nigeria. Achebe was raised in a Christian household and attended mission schools as a child. He later attended the University of Ibadan, where he studied English, history, and theology.

Achebe’s literary career began in the 1950s, during a period of significant social and political change in Nigeria. He published his first novel, “Things Fall Apart,” in 1958, which went on to become a classic of African literature and one of the most widely read novels in the world. Achebe went on to write several other novels, including “No Longer at Ease” (1960), “Arrow of God” (1964), and “A Man of the People” (1966), all of which dealt with the social and political upheavals of postcolonial Africa.

In addition to his novels, Achebe was also a prolific essayist and critic. He wrote extensively on African literature, culture, and politics, and was a leading voice in the debate over the role of literature in shaping African identity. Achebe’s critical works include “The Education of a British-Protected Child” (2009) and “The African Trilogy” (2010).

Achebe’s writing and activism were deeply influenced by his experiences of colonialism and its aftermath. He was a strong advocate for African cultural and political independence and was critical of Western representations of Africa in literature and popular culture. Achebe was also a vocal critic of corruption and political violence in Nigeria, and his work often explored the ways in which power and authority are wielded in African societies.

Chinua Achebe received numerous awards and honors for his writing, including the Man Booker International Prize (2007), the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize (2010), and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Lifetime Achievement (2008). He died on March 21, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 82.

QUOTES

1. “The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”
2. “A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. It is more difficult and more bitter when a man fails alone.”
3. “Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.”
4. “The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others.”
5. “Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.”
6. “When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk.”
7. “We have these sayings, since we are an oral society, and they always contain a grain of truth.”
8. “As the elders said, if a child washed his hands, he could eat with kings.”
9. “If a man says ‘yes,’ his chi says ‘yes’ also.”
10. “While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which charity will have become unnecessary.”

SUMMARIES

Part 1 of “Things Fall Apart” sets the stage for the rest of the novel by introducing the protagonist, Okonkwo, and his community in precolonial Nigeria.

The section opens with a description of Okonkwo, a wealthy and respected warrior in the Igbo community of Umuofia. Okonkwo is known for his strength and courage, but he is also a deeply flawed character with a quick temper and a tendency towards violence. The section explores Okonkwo’s past and his rise to power within the community.

The section also provides a detailed look at the social and cultural structures of the Igbo people. We learn about the importance of yams, the role of religion and ancestral spirits, and the complex system of governance in the community. Achebe uses this section to showcase the richness and complexity of Igbo culture, while also critiquing some of its negative aspects such as the treatment of women.

As the section progresses, tensions begin to emerge between Okonkwo and his community. When a clansman is killed in an accidental shooting, Okonkwo is forced to go into exile for seven years. This event marks a turning point in the novel and sets up the conflict between traditional Igbo culture and the changes brought about by European colonialism, which will be explored in the rest of the book.

Part 2 of “Things Fall Apart” focuses on Okonkwo’s exile and the changes that take place in his absence. During this period, European missionaries arrive in Umuofia and begin to convert the Igbo people to Christianity, sparking a clash between traditional Igbo culture and the new religion.

The section opens with Okonkwo arriving at his mother’s village in Mbanta, where he is warmly welcomed by his mother’s kinsmen. However, Okonkwo struggles to adapt to life in Mbanta and feels isolated from his community. He also begins to realize the extent to which his culture has been disrupted by the arrival of the Europeans.

Meanwhile, back in Umuofia, the missionaries are making inroads with the Igbo people, attracting converts with promises of education and material wealth. This leads to tension between the converts and those who remain loyal to traditional Igbo culture.

The section also introduces a new character, Obierika, who is Okonkwo’s close friend and serves as a voice of reason throughout the novel. Obierika provides a critical perspective on the changes taking place in Umuofia and serves as a foil to Okonkwo’s more rigid and traditional views.

As the section comes to a close, Okonkwo begins to realize that his return to Umuofia may not be the triumphant homecoming he had imagined. He sees that the community has been fundamentally changed by the arrival of the Europeans, and he fears that his culture and way of life may be lost forever.

Part 3 of “Things Fall Apart” focuses on the final clash between the traditional Igbo culture and the European colonizers.

As the section opens, Okonkwo has returned to Umuofia after his exile and is dismayed by the extent to which his community has changed. The Europeans have built a church in the village, and many Igbo people have converted to Christianity. The missionaries also have the support of the colonial government and are able to exert significant power over the community.

Okonkwo is determined to resist the changes brought by the Europeans and begins to plan a rebellion. However, his plans are interrupted when a group of Igbo leaders, including his own son, join forces with the missionaries and the colonial government. This betrayal leads Okonkwo to take drastic action, and he kills one of the colonial messengers.

The killing of the messenger leads to a brutal crackdown by the colonial government, and Okonkwo realizes that his rebellion has failed. In a moment of despair, he takes his own life, symbolizing the tragic end of traditional Igbo culture and the impact of colonialism on African societies.

The section ends with a note of ambiguity, as Achebe suggests that there may still be hope for a renewed African identity and culture. The novel concludes with the famous line, “The world is large enough for a Zebra to carry stripes and spots,” suggesting that there may be a way to reconcile the traditional and the modern and to find a new path forward.