Introduction
Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart chronicles the life of Okonkwo, a clansman and leader of the Umuofia clan in Nigeria. Okonkwo is granted considerable fortune in the early part of the novel, but is soon beset with problems beyond his control. In the end, Okonkwo's problems become so complex that Okonkwo choose to commit suicide as a means to atone for his sins. Even though suicide is one of the greatest sins that can be committed under tribal laws, it is symbolic of both Okonkwo's misfortune and his reflection on the way in which the nature of man has changed.While the specific context of Okonkwo's life is quite compelling overall, what is perhaps most compelling are the events that take place in the context of the novel. For many laymen reading the text for the first time, the events that take place in the novel appear to be somewhat odd. For instance, at one point in the novel, Okonkwo's youngest wife Ojiugo leaves the house to have her hair braided before preparing dinner (Achebe, 29). In response to this action, Okonkwo severely beats his youngest wife (26). While these actions may seem quite odd to the reader, when they are placed in the context of the culture in which they took place, they can be more easily understood.
[...] Achebe's protagonist Okonkwo faces innumerable challenges during the novel, each of which becomes more difficult for Okonkwo to reconcile. When this basic story outside of culture is revealed, the true meaning of the novel can be garnered. As such, the application of culture to the novel merely demonstrates that regardless of the context in which human suffering and struggle takes place, it can be interpreted and understood by others. Hence, while an analysis of culture clearly helps the reader to reconcile many of the idiosyncrasies that challenge Western stereotypes and conceptions, it is evident that the basic story of one man's struggle to accept the limitations of human nature, is a story that can be understood in almost any context. [...]
[...] Thus, when the Umuofia clan makes the decision that the young man—Ikemefuna—who has become an integral part of Okonkwo's family over three years, must be killed, Okonkwo has no choice but to go along with the decision even though he believes in his heart that killing Ikemefuna is wrong. “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe, 61). Not surprisingly, the issue of kinship is one that also flows though the development of religious and spiritual beliefs that are used in the clan. [...]
[...] Despite this emotion, the patriarchal system developed in Okonkwo's clan demands the Okonkwo not show any sign of weakness. It is the same unemotional façade that is used when Okonkwo witnesses the illness of his daughter Ezinma. Arguably, the issue of patriarchy is one that had notable ramifications for the overall context of Achebe's work. Not only does patriarchy enable the reader to understand the struggle faced by Okonkwo, it also provides the reader with a context for understanding the structure of the village, the basic roles that Okonkwo's daughters hold in the story and the overall rules that govern the social and political development of the action taken by the Umuofia clan. [...]
[...] the basis of society and day-to-day life of indigenous tribes living in Africa. By comparing events in the text with the actual traditions of indigenous culture, a more integral understanding of what Achebe writes will be garnered. Culture and Achebe's Work Kinship In the early chapters of Achebe's text, the story begins with Okonkwo traveling to a neighboring village to collect a virgin and young man (Achebe, 11-2). Okonkwo seeks these items because someone from the village had murdered the wife of a Umuofia clansman. [...]
[...] Okonkwo sees no other way to escape the misery of his life. Therefore he chooses to commit suicide. While this appears to be a noble act given Okonkwo's actions in life, in actuality, Okonkwo has further alienated himself from the culture and society which he sought to escape. Thus, even in death Okonkwo is still bound to all of the problems that he attempted to escape. Conclusion In examining the novel Things Fall Apart, Lynch and Warner argue that the cultural institutions that shape the novel must be understood (Lynch and Warner, 3). [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
