THINGS FALL APART

            This is a novel written by a Nigerian writer in 1958, Chinua Achebe one of the best black African writer. In this novel he represents Africa, mainly the Ibo society before the coming of the Europeans. The novel analyzes the demolition of the African way of life as a result of the introduction of the white man intervention which resulted to the destruction of the individual and the society’s bond. Achebe in his novel also explains the immense deal about Ibo tradition and translates their myths and proverbs and also enlightens the position of women in the pre-colonial era.  His education background enhanced him to use English and also the fact that he was exposed to the European way of life made it easier for him to write the novel on the colonial expansion, race, tradition and religious way of life for both Europeans and African point of view. The genre of this novel as clearly portrayed from the title “Things fall apart” is tragedy as it put in the picture of an African social order which is invaded by foreigners and things starts to collapse into pieces. Chinua uses the literally devices which assists him to inform and develop on the chief theme. One of the devices is the use of Chi which represents an individual god whose virtues are influenced by the person’s good affluence or lack thereof. The use of chi is used at different points in the novel to help in the understanding of Okonkwo, who is a tragic hero. Animal imagery is used especially by the Igbo to naturalize their rituals and beliefs. The presence of these animals symbolizes a society that is not yet modernized by the European influence. He uses symbols which represents his abstract ideas and thought. For instance he use the locust where he describes that the locusts are pouring downward upon the village which refers to the coming of the Europeans who like the locust would settle in the land of the Igbo consuming on all their resources.

He use a certain language of emphasis like the use of  the expressions “settle” and “every” to depict the locusts control to refer to the abrupt coming of the Europeans. Fire is another symbol which he uses to relate to Okonkwo’s treacherous anger. Fire destroys all what it consumes and this is portrayed by Okonkwo who destroys everything physically (Achebe, 2000).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Achebe, C. (2000). Things fall apart. Oxford: Heinemann Educational.