Book: Things Fall Apart

Author: Chinua Achebe

Rating: 3/5
Summary:

Things Fall Apart-Chinua Achebe
Okonkwo, of the Igbo tribe, is a great warrior. He is revered for his strength a
nd status in many villages around Umofia. Okonkwo has had to build his reputatio
n and character without much help from his father Unoka. Unoka was a farmer with
the soul of a musician. He was good at the flute but could not grow a luxuriant
crop. His family remained poor because of his half hearted attempts at farming.
Okonkwo has had a tough youth, fending for his parents and siblings. He is toug
h, unlike his father, and abhors weakness. Hence he rules his family of three wi
ves and eleven children with an iron hand and will not allow any show of soft em
otions for them. Nwoye, his eldest son, is therefore a cause of grave concern fo
r Okonkwo. Nwoye is a sentimental young man with a liking for the softer side of
things. Okonkwo respects the customs and traditions of his tribe greatly and wi
ll not tolerate any desecration of them. He himself atones of any such violation
with the toughest self punishment and goes on a seven year exile when he accide
ntally kills a fellow tribesman. For Okonkwo, therefore, to see his village vand
alized by white men is very distressing. He has to summon all his physical prowe
ss and will power to fight such a strong enemy.
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CliffsNotes on Achebe's Things Fall A
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Things Fall Apart: A Novel (African Trilogy)
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Social/Historical context:
I have read a couple of books by African authors. The theme of foreign invasion
destroying the native culture and identity seems to be a very poignant topic amo
ngst these authors. Ben Okris The Famished Road also talks about the same thing.

Writing Style:
The language used by Achebe is very straightforward and plain. This style is in
keeping with the spirit of the tribes in the novel- direct and without pretensio
n.<BR> Two thirds of the book describes the rituals and customs of the Igbo trib
e through the life of Okonkwo. The last third of the book describes the change t
hat Christian missionaries and English invaders bring to the tribe.
My Thoughts:
Much of the African population has been primitive till a very long time. Educati
on and progress have been very slow to reach Africa. And it is very unfortunate
that Africa mostly, has had to sacrifice its own identity and culture in order t
o imbibe social progress and scientific awareness. As an Indian, whose forefathe
rs have experienced 200 years of British rule, I can empathize with this loss of
Africa. For, this phenomenon of mindless aping of the advanced West is still pr
evalent in India. After all, what can you say about a nation that has surrendere
d the two dearest words in their vocabulary to a foreign language- an urban Indi
an child today is not taught to call his parents the native Mata and Pita but Mummy an
d Daddy after the West!