Review of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

**Review of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe**

Things Fall Apart (1958) by Chinua Achebe is one of the most influential novels of the 20th century and a cornerstone of African literature. The novel tells the story of Okonkwo, a respected warrior in the Igbo community of Umuofia, in southeastern Nigeria. Okonkwo’s rise to prominence, as well as his eventual downfall, is the focus of the narrative. His life and identity are deeply tied to his community’s traditional values, but his world begins to unravel with the arrival of British colonialists and Christian missionaries. Through Okonkwo’s story, Achebe explores themes of tradition, change, colonialism, identity, and personal failure. The novel is an examination of how the arrival of Europeans disrupted and transformed African cultures, and it remains a significant work for understanding the complexities of post-colonial identity and cultural conflict.

Themes in Things Fall Apart

Tradition vs. Change:
One of the most prominent themes in Things Fall Apart is the conflict between tradition and the changes brought about by colonialism and Christianity. Okonkwo, the protagonist, is a staunch defender of Igbo traditions, and his identity is tightly linked to the old ways of his community. The novel depicts how the arrival of missionaries and the spread of Western ideals and values disrupt the established order of Igbo society. Okonkwo’s resistance to these changes, including his inability to adapt to the new reality, symbolizes the struggle faced by many in African societies during the colonial period. This theme explores how the forces of modernity and tradition collide, and the consequences of refusing to evolve in the face of change.
Colonialism and Its Impact:
Things Fall Apart offers a profound critique of colonialism and its devastating effects on indigenous cultures. The arrival of British colonial powers and Christian missionaries leads to a breakdown in Igbo society. Achebe illustrates how the imposition of foreign values and the forceful conversion of indigenous people to Christianity upends established social structures, religions, and worldviews. The novel portrays the dehumanizing effects of colonialism and the ways in which it attempts to erase and replace traditional ways of life with its own systems of control.
Identity and Cultural Conflict:
Okonkwo’s personal identity is inextricably linked to his desire to maintain honor, strength, and cultural authenticity in the face of change. As the novel progresses, he experiences an inner conflict between preserving his identity as a traditional Igbo man and the necessity to adapt to the shifting political and cultural landscape. The novel explores the crisis of identity caused by colonialism, as many members of the Igbo community face the dilemma of balancing their indigenous cultural values with the influence of colonial forces. The struggle between self-preservation and assimilation becomes a key issue for both Okonkwo and the wider community.
Fate and Free Will:
Another central theme in Things Fall Apart is the tension between fate and free will. Okonkwo’s life is shaped by his belief in the importance of hard work and personal responsibility. However, his ultimate fate is determined by circumstances that are beyond his control, including the arrival of colonial powers and the changing tides of his community’s beliefs. Throughout the novel, the characters struggle with the role of destiny in their lives, especially as the forces of fate seem to conspire against them. Okonkwo’s downfall is a reflection of how individual will can be overwhelmed by the forces of societal change and external control.
Masculinity and Power:
Okonkwo’s character is deeply defined by his understanding of masculinity and power. He is determined to be the opposite of his father, who was known for his laziness and weakness. Okonkwo’s fear of appearing weak leads him to display extreme behavior in his efforts to prove his masculinity, including his brutal treatment of his wives and children. The novel critiques these ideas of masculinity, showing how they can be destructive both to the individual and to those around them. Okonkwo’s rigid adherence to traditional views of strength and manliness ultimately contributes to his downfall, as his inability to adapt to changing times and his fear of appearing weak prevent him from making more rational and compassionate decisions.

Character Roles in Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo:
Okonkwo, the protagonist of the novel, is a proud, ambitious, and deeply driven individual who seeks to uphold the values of strength, honor, and respect in his community. His character is shaped by his determination to distance himself from his father’s legacy of weakness and failure. Okonkwo is a product of the traditional Igbo society and sees himself as a man of integrity and valor. However, his extreme ideas about masculinity and his harsh methods of leadership make him both respected and feared. Throughout the novel, Okonkwo’s tragic flaw—his inability to adapt to the changes brought about by colonialism and his inability to reconcile his traditional values with the realities of the new world—leads to his eventual demise. Okonkwo represents the tragic hero whose inability to navigate personal and cultural transformation results in destruction.
Nwoye:
Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son, represents the tension between tradition and modernity. Unlike his father, Nwoye is more sensitive and introspective, and he finds it difficult to conform to Okonkwo’s rigid ideas of masculinity. Nwoye’s internal conflict grows as he becomes disillusioned with the violence and oppression he witnesses in his father’s world. His eventual conversion to Christianity symbolizes his desire for a different identity, one that offers a sense of compassion and spiritual connection that he finds lacking in Igbo traditions. Nwoye’s character is a reflection of the younger generation’s struggle with the imposition of colonial values and the changing cultural landscape.
Ezinma:
Ezinma, Okonkwo’s daughter, is his favorite child and the one he sees as possessing the strength and intelligence that he values most. She is portrayed as a strong-willed and capable woman, and her role in the novel challenges the traditional gender roles of Igbo society. Despite Okonkwo’s harshness, he sees Ezinma as someone who could carry on his legacy. However, like Nwoye, Ezinma is forced to navigate a world shaped by both traditional values and the encroaching forces of colonialism. She embodies the theme of resilience as she balances familial duty with the constraints placed on her by her society.
Okonkwo’s Wives:
Okonkwo has several wives, each playing a role in the broader social and familial structure of his life. Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s second wife and the mother of Ezinma, is a deeply emotional and maternal figure. Her character highlights the hardships of women in the Igbo society, particularly their roles in childbearing and household management. Through the wives, Achebe explores the gender dynamics of Igbo society, where women hold important roles in family life but are constrained by patriarchal expectations. The relationships between Okonkwo and his wives are marked by his authoritarian approach and their submissive roles, illustrating the limits of gendered power and the tension between personal agency and social norms.
Reverend James Smith:
Reverend James Smith is the missionary who comes to Umuofia to spread Christianity after the initial missionaries have already begun their work. He represents the colonial influence and the imposition of foreign beliefs on indigenous cultures. Unlike his predecessor, Mr. Brown, who was willing to engage with and understand the Igbo traditions, Reverend Smith is rigid in his approach and refuses to respect the local culture. His presence in the novel is emblematic of the intolerant and dogmatic nature of colonialism, which often sought to erase indigenous customs and replace them with European ideologies. Smith’s arrival marks a significant turning point in the religious conflict in the novel, as he embodies the destructive forces of colonization.

Linguistic Tools in Things Fall Apart

Proverbs and Oral Tradition:
Achebe’s use of proverbs and oral tradition is central to the novel’s narrative style. Proverbs play an essential role in the Igbo culture, conveying wisdom and reflecting the values of the community. The characters in the novel often speak in proverbs, which function both as a reflection of Igbo thought and as a way to communicate complex ideas about life, tradition, and morality. The use of proverbs enhances the novel’s themes of community, identity, and the role of oral storytelling in preserving culture and history.
Narrative Style:
Things Fall Apart is written in a straightforward, third-person narrative, providing an objective perspective on Okonkwo’s life and the broader events that unfold in Igbo society. The novel’s pacing is steady, moving between Okonkwo’s personal struggles and the larger social and political changes brought about by colonialism. Achebe also uses flashbacks and descriptive passages to enrich the backstory, adding depth to Okonkwo’s character and to the world of the Igbo people.
Symbolism:
Achebe uses symbolism to deepen the novel’s themes of cultural conflict and personal identity. The yam is a significant symbol in the novel, representing masculinity, strength, and fertility. Okonkwo’s success with yam farming marks his social status and personal achievements. However, as Okonkwo’s world unravels, the symbolic significance of the yam shifts, illustrating the transformation of Igbo society in the face of colonialism and change.

Conclusion

Things Fall Apart is a profound and timeless work that explores the complexities of identity, tradition, and cultural conflict in the face of colonialism. Through Okonkwo’s personal story, Achebe sheds light on the devastating impact of European colonization on indigenous cultures and the forces of change that disrupt traditional ways of life. The novel