Things Fall Apart Stylistic Essay

EQ: Structure and Style--How does Achebe put his story together?

In his New York Times review, " Chinua Achebe’s Encounters With Many Hearts of
Darkness ," Dwight Garner sees Things Fall Apart as "an economical and lucid depiction
of a tribal society cracking under the weight of colonialism […] It’s the stinging To Kill a
Mockingbird of modern African literature."

He speaks highly of Achebe’s ground-breaking work, both thematically and stylistically.

He writes: "As more and more is revealed about the plot, less and less of the Igbo
culture and traditions are revealed, yet the style of the novel is always natural and
unselfconscious, as if innocent of any paradoxical implication."

Does this help describe the unique quality of Achebe’s narrative? What effects or
meanings does Achebe achieve through the use of literary devices to create style?

Analyze the stylistic implications of Achebe’s work through the use of literary
devices, such as language use, proverbs, motif, etc. Be sure in your analysis to
discuss the implications of style on the work as a whole.