Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION XII
DIVISION OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY
FATIMA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Name: Golden B. Bandoy Score: ______________

Grade & Section: 12-STEM A

Introduction
The book entitled “Things Fall Apart” refers to the things that started with
everything and ends up with nothing. And the title refers that without balancing the
situation in your life at the end things do fall apart.
Within the world of writing, few works have the control to charm perusers
and challenge their points of view on culture and humankind. Among these
uncommon scholarly pearls, "Things Drop Separated" stands tall as a ageless
perfect work of art composed by the acclaimed Nigerian creator, Chinua Achebe.
Distributed in 1958, this groundbreaking novel offers a significant investigation of
the collision between convention and colonialism in pre-colonial Nigeria. Through
its thought-provoking account, Achebe dives into the perplexing complexities of a
society on the brink of change, uncovering the violent results that follow when
long-standing traditions clash with the unyielding powers of alter.
As one dives into the charming pages of "Things Drop Separated," they are
quickly struck by its reminiscent cover craftsmanship. The book's plan reflects the
substance of its title, showing a striking portrayal of a divided world on the skirt of
collapse. Typical components like a broken pot, a disintegrating town, or a setting
sun may decorate the cover, outwardly capturing the fundamental subjects and
passing on a sense of approaching catastrophe. Achebe's choice of the title itself,
"Things Drop Separated," is both basic and significant, typifying the center pith of
the story whereas indicating at the crumbling of societal structures that lies at the
heart of the story.
The author of said story was Chinua Achebe, a scholarly illuminating
presence born in Nigeria in 1930, is the brilliant intellect behind "Things Drop
Separated." Considered one of Africa's most compelling and celebrated creators,
Achebe made a permanent stamp on the worldwide scholarly scene with his
significant experiences into African culture and the effect of colonialism. Through
his smooth composition, Achebe unbelievably mixes conventional narrating with a
sharp mindfulness of social and political issues, fashioning a way for African
writing to be recognized and celebrated around the world. As the beneficiary of
various awards and grants, counting the Man Booker Worldwide Prize, Achebe's
commitment to writing proceeds to rouse and illuminate perusers over eras.
As we embark on this literary journey, we will uncover the multifaceted
layers of this poignant tale, delving deep into the characters, the themes, and the
rich cultural tapestry that Achebe skillfully weaves.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION XII
DIVISION OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY
FATIMA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Thesis
The protagonist of the book "Things Fall Apart" is Okonkwo, the revered
chief of the Umuofia village and the son of Unoka. Okonkwo is a renowned wrestler
and regarded as the finest warrior in their village due to his bravery and leadership
skills. He is the son of Unoka, who has a reputation for being indebted and too
indolent to work and get paid for it. Unoka is a typical type of person who enjoys
life despite the hardships his family is going through, particularly his never-ending
debt to his friends. When Okonkwo's father Unoka passed away, Okonkwo took on
the role of family provider and is the one who continues to work to pay off his
father's debt. As he grows older, he acquired three wives: Ekwefi, Ojiugo, and
Nwoye's mother. Ezinma and Nwoye are two of the kids he had as well. Ikemefuna,
who joined his family, is the young man Okonkwo admires because he exemplifies
the kind of bravery and tenacity that he wishes his actual children to possess. As a
result of Ikemefuna's influence, Nwoye, who Okonkwo continues to beat,
transformed into the person his father wants him to be. Three years later, the village
elder visited Okonkwo to let him know that Ikemefuna's time to pass was
approaching and to caution him not to become involved because he was close to
the child. Because the oracle predicted it, Ikemefuna must be put to death.
Additionally, the major reason he is in the village is to make up for the death of the
girl who lived in Umuofia and was killed by their tribe. Okonkwo genuinely has no
idea why the nightmare of killing Ikemefuna keeps haunting him every day.
Okonkwo received word that Ogbuefi Ezeudu, the village's oldest resident,
had passed away. As part of the funeral ceremony, Okonkwo fired a gun into the
air. Okonkwo accidentally kills a boy by firing his rifle directly at him. As a result,
Okonkwo and his family were given a 7-year exile term for their part in the crime.
Okonkwo made the decision to travel to and dwell in the village of his mother in
Mbanta. After some time has gone, a group of missionaries arrives in the Mbanta
region and begins to preach about their religion and Christianity. People like
Okonkwo don't believe them, but Nwoye, who converted to Christianity, does. The
missionaries construct a church in their community, particularly in the so-called
"evil forest" and the villagers think the missionaries would perish since they built
their church on cursed ground, but as time passes and nothing occurs, the locals
gradually come to accept them and become one of them. When Okonkwo returns
to Umuofia, he discovers that those communities had likewise adopted the ways of
the white men; they converted to Christianity and questioned why the locals there
didn't drive them out. They established their government, rules, and policies in
order to govern the Umuofia people. Everything starts to go apart when Reverend
James Smith takes over as the new leader of the Christian church because he is
highly severe and intolerant of the clan practices. The next day at a meeting for
clansmen, five court messengers who intend to stop the gathering approach the
group. Suddenly, Okonkwo jumps forward and beheads the man in charge of the
messengers with his machete. When none of the other clansmen attempt to stop the
messengers who escape, Umuofia will surrender. Everything has fallen apart for
Okonkwo; he commits suicide by hanging himself.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION XII
DIVISION OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY
FATIMA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Body
“As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raise his machete,
Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow. The pot fell and broke in the sand. He
heard Ikemefuna cry, “My father, they have killed me!” as he ran towards him.
Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of
being thought weak.”
Ikemefuna has several people assigned to kill him when the time comes, but
in the end, Okonkwo is the one who does it. Although Okonkwo didn't want to
murder Ikemefuna by himself, he did so to demonstrate his bravery and allay his
fears of being viewed as a weak person.
Considering the account, Okonkwo knew that he was slowly growing to
admire the young boy due of his personality and hadn't intended to kill Ikemefuna.
It is quite clear from this statement that Okonkwo murdered Ikemefuna to maintain
his status as the village's most formidable warrior. Everybody experiences
situations like this from time to time. We are sometimes forced to act against our
will by circumstances or occurrences in our lives to accomplish something we
believe will be better for us and those around us. We frequently make judgments
based on our feelings and moral ideals rather than what is the best thing to do. This
leads to regrets as a result of our rash and emotion-driven actions.
“Fortunately, among these people a man was judged according to his worth
and not according to the worth of his father.”
When Okonkwo’s father died, which is Unoka, there’s nothing good that He
left them, only his overflowing debts. At an early age, Okonkwo learned how to
make a living in the farm, and he also became the mighty warrior and the greatest
wrestler of the 9 village. Because of hard work, he achieved greatness and richness
in life, richness his father hasn’t able to give them. Despite of the failures his father
did, he never get ashamed of him being Unoka’s son, a person whose lazy,
irresponsible and debtor.
Unoka, the father of Okonkwo is known as the biggest debtor of their
village, he doesn’t go to farm and work unlike other people, what he only did is to
dance and play with his flute and music. Unoka and his wife always fights because
of this attitude of him, and most of all his laziness, but one thing his good at is that
he never did something bad just to provide for his family, it’s just that, he can’t stop
himself from borrowing and borrowing till he can’t pay them. Despite of this
personality of his father, it didn’t even hinder him from achieving things he wants
up to the present times. He didn’t allow his father’s being to affect him, and it only
proves that no matter where we came from, no matter how bad it is, the past is past,
and it won’t define you as your parents son/daughter, because only you can choose
on what your future would possible look like.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION XII
DIVISION OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY
FATIMA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Conclusion
“Okonkwo, fearing being perceived as weak, drew a machete and killed
Ikemefuna, who had broken his pot.”
Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna due to fear of being called weak and to prove his
bravery. He didn't intend to kill Ikemefuna himself, but he admires the child's
personality and kills him to save his reputation as a mighty warrior. This situation
is common in individuals, as they often make decisions based on emotions and
principles, leading to regrets and unintended consequences. “Man judged based on
worth, not father's worth among people.”
Okonkwo's father, Unoka, left them with overflowing debts and a lack of
wealth. Despite his father's failures, Okonkwo managed to make a living in the farm
and become a mighty warrior and wrestler. Despite his laziness and debt,
Okonkwo's father, Unoka, remains the biggest debtor in their village. Despite his
laziness, Okonkwo's determination to provide for his family has not hindered his
progress. His past does not define one's future, as only one can choose what their
future will look like.
In conclusion, these quotes from the book emphasize the profound themes
of masculinity, societal expectations, and the complex interplay between personal
identity and communal values. They shed light on the consequences of adhering
blindly to rigid gender norms and highlight the importance of recognizing
individuals for their own merits rather than solely relying on inherited status.
Through these thought-provoking ideas, the author invites readers to critically
examine prevailing social constructs and prompts contemplation on the true essence
of humanity and the power of individual agency.
This book is so far one of the best novel that you can think of.Is a book
written in 1958 by chenua Achebe about the disparity between African norms,
values , belief and traditions and the Christianity religion that the white man
brought to Africa during the colonisation period.He uses Okwonkwo as the
protagonist who was a honurable man winning a lot of title in the IBO
kingdom.Okwonkwo saw that everything in life was perfect , their ancesters listen
to their prayers though there was time for drought, bush fires, flood and many more
difficult situitions but life still went on well with the IBO people as he expressed.
The white men came from nowhere to impose their religion on the people of IBO
which he was not in support, when he stood to rise against that, his own people
turned against him.