Abstract The paper notes that Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" is a remarkable novel. Simple yet powerful, it evokes a strong response that is at times physical, even visceral. The paper argues that Achebe masterfully recreates for us a word-picture of a society of the past, a society that has been destroyed by colonialism. Just as that society evolved for centuries before being destroyed, so too in "Things fall Apart" Achebe spends two-thirds of the book describing village life, then records its sudden devastation in Part III.
Abstract This paper discusses the use and effect of the Nigerian setting in Chinua Achebe's novel, "Things Fall Apart." The paper also examines Achebe's decision to write the novel in English for Western audiences.
From the Paper "Setting of Achebe's "Things Fall Apart." In "Things Fall Apart" Chinua Achebe introduces his audience to a world completely different from the one in which they live. He writes the novel in English instead of his native Nigerian, thus it is apparent that he means this work to be witnessed by Western cultures rather than those whom he writes about."
Tags: chinua achebe, things fall apart, colonialism, setting
Abstract This paper discusses how the the writings of Chinua Achebe and Sembene Ousmane offer examples of hope through the position of nationalistic identity. The paper examines how leadership that is necessary to teach a new set of cultural values and institutions is important for materializing a new nation-state for Kangan and Senegal. The paper further discusses how although Achebe writes about post-colonial domination, the imperialistic Europeans seem to always dissolve any local cultural faith within African communities.
From the Paper "This literary study will analyze the colonial and nationalistic hopes of Africans within 'The Anthills of Savannah' by Chinua Achebe and 'God's Bits of Wood' by Sembene Ousmane. By analyzing the hope of a new nationalism for Africans in these two works, one can realize how a new society can be formed against the domination of colonial powers. In essence, the fight against colonialism within these two novels reflects a nationalistic identity for Africans to overcome their European oppressors. In the novel God's Bits of Wood Ousmane reflects the different colonial forms of oppression during a railway strike by the people of Senegal. The hope that is provided by Sembene is reflected through the leaders of strike, and how they must create a new revolutionary identity to thwart French exploitation of their work."
Abstract An examination of how Nigerian author Chinua Achebe was influenced by his experiences and how that is reflected in his novel, "Anthills of the Savannah".
From the Paper " 'We . . . are committed to reclaiming the rich heritage of Africa, every inch of it, and redrawing the contours of African history which in the hands of others had been drawn . . . with great malice and lurid falsehood' (Achebe, Colonial Criticism, Hopes and Impediments, 85). Upon examination of Anthills of the Savannah and Achebe's earlier works, this quotation from a 1974 essay proves to be a mission statement for the author. Achebe writes out of an African experience and of a commitment to an African destiny (Achebe, Colonial Criticism, Hopes and Impediments, 74). While his earlier themes concern a clashing of cultures between European colonists and African traditionalists and the emergence of national independence from Western regimes, Anthills of the Savannah deals with Africa's post-colonial political and cultural turmoil. His greatest endeavor is to tell Africa=s story from the point of view of the African; he aims to set the record straight, for prior to his literature most African tales were told from a Western perspective, (Wren, p.77)."
Abstract The paper provides a discussion of the use and effect of characterization in Chinua Achebe's novel, "Things Fall Apart." The paper explains how the author creates round and dynamic characters to support his themes.
From the Paper "In "Things Fall Apart" Chinua Achebe creates round dynamic characters in order to support the major themes and philosophical goals of the novel. Even though the characters exist in a world far removed from Achebe's intended audience, he has created them such that any audience can read the characters, understand their motivations and ultimately relate to them. This works especially well with the major characters that drive the story as they seem real to us and make real human mistakes."
Tags: chinua achebe, things fall apart, characters
Abstract This paper applies the sociological theories of symbolic interaction, social action, structuralism, functionalism and humanist Marxism to analyze the novel "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. The author points out that the protagonist Okonkwo, who is a native of the Ibo tribe within Nigeria, represents the archetype of the tribal warrior for his culture. The paper relates that, by presenting different perspectives within the Ibo tribe and within the main character Okonkwo, one can understand the different forces that invent and affect the way of life of these oppressed peoples.
From the Paper "This literary analysis will evaluate five sociological theories that apply to the problem of Nigerian colonialism within the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. By discussing how Symbolic Interaction, Social Action, Structuralism, Functionalism, and Humanist Marxism form the central core of Chinua's evaluation of British Imperialism and the behaviors of his main character, Okonkwo. By learning how colonialism changes the social construct of Ibo culture, Okonkwo maintains his loyalty to his tribe and resistance to the British that seek to 'westernize' his way of life. The micro-sociological perspective of Symbolic Interaction that resides within Achebe's novel is based around Okonkwo's resistance to British Imperialist values. Okonkwo is a native of the Ibo tribe within Nigeria, and he represents the archetype of the tribal warrior for his culture."
This paper focuses on Nigerian author Albert Chinualumogu Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart" which details the culture and history of the Igbo society.
Abstract This paper supplies a brief yet concise background of Nigerian born writer Albert Chinualumogu Achebe and the influences that his strict religious training had on his unique writing style. This delves into the Igbo (pronounced Ibo) society, that is at times considered primitive by western occidental standards, as depicted in Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart." This paper explores the plot and characters in the novel as well as Achebe's obvious sexist attitude which is unabashed and without apology. The narrative novel format fulfills Achebe's need for African context which is demonstrated throughout the book. The format of the novel allows the author the freedom to establish his goal of pointing out the detrimental effects of occidental and colonial influences upon the Igbo tribe. Throughout part one of the novel, the author clearly describes the male dominated Igbo society. However, in the latter stages of the narrative, the author allows the seeds of doubt concerning true control to seep into the plot and story line. Achebe sums up the futility of the Igbo society in the face of the dreaded white man and his religions and politics very clearly in chapters 24 and 25.
Table of Contents:
Thesis Statement
Author's Background
The Reasons for the "Narrative Novel," Format
The Results of the Subtle Changes of Parts II and III
Bibliography
From the Paper "The narrative novel format of Things Fall Apart fulfills the need for African context and this demonstrates itself throughout the work. The novel format in addition allows the author the freedom to establish his purpose (the detrimental effects of occidental and colonial influences upon the Ibo tribe). This carries out his story line in a logical and chronological manner maintaining his point of view. It has also brought upon him many detractors particularly among feminist, politicians (particularly the despotic ones), and even among other tribesmen from other nations of Sub-Saharan Africa. These facts and others support well the thesis that "primitive," as the ways of his tribesmen were, they form the Ibo point of view far superior to the influences of the occidental and colonial rules being forced upon them."
Tags: literature, africa, nigeria, culture, history
Abstract This paper discusses Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," exploring its metaphors and themes. The paper explains that the book embodies both the cultural components of the author's own Africa and the scholarly technique of British literature. While the book contains a variety of symbols, the symbol of locusts is directly comparable to the white colonists, and Achebe develops this symbolism by developing a societal response variant to both the locusts and the colonists. The paper concludes that Achebe uses many important literary elements in this work to manifest the destructive effect on a clan of polytheistic, highly religious Africans when a group of British colonists come to spread the gospel of Christianity.
From the Paper "The irony of the happiness associated with the locusts' arrival is somewhat mirrored in the arrival of the colonists. While most of the Umuofians detest the whites and feel that their tradition is threatened by them, they don't really consider that the whites will annihilate them the way they did the Abame village. They think, instead, that they can live together with them, hating them. They think that they can go on putting up with them because they are in no direct danger and that they are prepared to handle them. They will not be foolish like the Abames were; they are tough, Umuofian men, and they will stick to their traditions and values."
Abstract This paper discusses 'Things Fall Apart' by the Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe. It is informed by a sense of history and how it reflects on the process of colonisation. It explores Achebe's motivations behind 'Things Fall Apart' and evaluates the ways in which the novel acts to reclaim Africa's genuine past. It describes the novel's plot and analyzes the use of tragic irony.
From the Paper "The Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe is one of the most prominent figures in post-colonial literature and he actively seeks to reclaim African heritage. Western colonisation of Africa destroyed native religions, languages and forcibly replaced African heritage with the European culture. In this sense, people of post-colonial countries feel they have been denied their true history and seek to rediscover their past. Achebe strongly disagreed with the existing portrayal of his homeland and it is through his novel Things Fall Apart (1958) that Achebe realises his desire to expose the Western view of African history as false and repossess Nigeria's genuine past."
This is no ordinary book review. It is a very detailed and very comprehensive review of two Books, "A Man of the People" and "Things Fall Apart", by Chinua Achebe with application to the Caribbean's social and political characteristics, as well as Nigeria
Abstract This paper reviews two of the the works of Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe: "A Man of the People" and "Things Fall Apart". The review speaks in detail about the symbolic language used and what it all means for politics in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Political culture and behavior as well as the emotions brought out in the political aspects of life are analyzed in an applicable and comprehensive way allows one to understand exactly what the two books are essentially about. There are also predictions about how the books can be used to analyze contemporary Nigerian and Anglo-Caribbean societies and their socio-political culture and attitudes to politics. Other authors are also explored as to how they compare with Achebe's two books.
From the Paper "The Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe has no doubt written two illustrious books, being Things Fall Apart and A Man of The People, that not only give memorable, accurate and useful accounts of socio-political relations in Nigeria, but also accounts which are widely applicable to other societies. In the Caribbean for example, both books may be analysed in terms of gaining a greater and more sophisticated appreciation of power and authority relations, leadership qualities and personality traits, as well as the consequent impacts of such phenomena on systems governance. For purposes of the ensuing review of both novels, those sections of the book that reflect the political realities within these latter contexts, that are more often than not accompanied by or intertwined with socio-cultural and socio-historical conditions or circumstances will be particularly emphasized when examining the Anglophone Caribbean. In this respect therefore, the nature of certain aspects of political culture will be analysed in so far as the novels help to supply some fundamental insights and possible explanations of similar experiences distilled about Nigeria, by Achebe, as compared with the realities that are faced, especially within parts of the Anglophone Caribbean where special politico-cultural practices seem deeply ingrained. Things Fall Apart will first be examined and A Man of the People, second."
Abstract This paper is an introduction and discussion of two stories, both set in Africa. "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe and "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. It compares the two stories as a reader response criticism. It explores the themes of darkness and language. The writer argues that Conrad's work is harder to grasp but is haunting and vivid. Achebe's work is perceived as simpler to comprehend. In conclusion, the discussion highlights that whilst "Heart of Darkness" is a disturbing read, it illustrates well how the natives suffered in Africa and causes the reader to think. In contrast, "Things Fall Apart" is an easier read but fails to make its mark in the same way.
From the Paper "The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the two stories "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe and "Heart of Darkness," by Joseph Conrad. Specifically, it will compare the two papers as a reader response criticism. Conrad's work is difficult to grasp at first reading, while Achebe's is simpler to comprehend. Yet, it is Conrad's work that haunts the reader and stays with him, because of the forceful descriptions and vivid language Conrad uses to describe the dark and deep African jungle, and ultimately, because it makes the reader think".
Abstract This paper presents a study showing Chinua Achebe's appropriation of the English language in his novel, "Things Falls Apart", as a way of educating the world of the perils of imperialism. The paper also examines the effects of Chinua Achebe's use of English rather than his native Igbo language on the anti-colonial efforts of African writers like him.
From the Paper "The past fifty years or so since the beginning of the so-called decolonization of the world, literature written by people from formerly colonized states have surfaced and captured the world wide audience. However, not all of these works are read worldwide. Literature is filtered and what comes out of these post colonial nations are those written in languages widely spoken and understood around the world, such as French, Spanish and English. In Africa, a continent ravaged by colonialism, where hundreds of native languages are still in use, the colonial languages of French and English have instead become a sort of standard due primarily to the deep rooted influence of the French and the British. For African literature to be given a chance of a world wide audience, the writer is left with no choice but to write in French or English, or write in a native language and get translated into either French or English. Probably why Nigeria, Chinua Achebe's home land, speaks about "half dozen or so languages" and yet "English gave them a language with which to talk to one another (Achebe 58)." Working on this belief, Achebe chose to tell his African stories, write his African novels in English, a language that would be able to bridge the barrier, both within the African continent and outside; a language that was part and parcel of the colonization process. That is why, for an African, writing in English also creates a problem on "how to express the African experience in a language that was originally evolved to embody a different kind of experience and to convey a different kind of sensibility (Obiechina 53).""
Abstract This paper studies the book 'A Man of the People' by Chinua Achebe. A brief biography of the author Chinua Achebe, is provided. The writer of this article examines the book's impact as a political commentary. The writer also discusses the book's analysis of the early post-colonial period in Nigeria.
From the Paper "Chinua Achebe was born in the village of Ogidi in eastern Nigeria and at the time of his birth, Nigeria was a British Colony. He was educated at the local Church Missionary Society primary school. He studied medicine and literature at the University of Ibadan and later went to work for the Nigerian broadcasting company in Lagos where he became talks producer. He remained there until the massacre of Igbos in Western and Northern Nigeria and after the Nigeria-Biafra war served ... "
Tags: A Man of the people, Nigeria, post-colonialism
Abstract This paper reviews and compares Achebe's work, 'Things Fall Apart' with 'Medea' by Euripides. The paper focuses primarily on how these two authors explore gender roles. According to the paper, Achebe and Euripides do this in very different ways, but result in the same conclusion.
From the Paper "Both in Medea and in TFA, women are hardly significant in their societies. Medea lives in a "male-dominated" world (in Greece at the time, women had no political rights and were confined in the gynaeceum). For instance, the Ibo tribe rejects everything that refers to women ("the men of Umofia laughed about the locust, about their woman, and about some effeminate men who had refused to come with them" p.41) and parents were much more satisfied to have a boy than a girl ("Ezinma should have been a boy" p.47). It is also very surprising that the sign of women's exclusion is also visible in some terms : the African word for woman, "agbala" is also used to define "a man who had taken no title" (p.10). It even became an offense: "[Okonkwo] had called him a woman. Okonkwo knew how to kill a man's spirit" (p.19)."
Tags: men, submission, dominance, women, gender, value, sex
Abstract This paper looks at Chinua Achebe's novels "Things Fall Apart" and "No Longer at Ease". It briefly details the life of the author, then breaks down the numerous subplots in both novels, both pre-colonial and colonial, in order to show the damaging effects of trying to find a balance with two totally opposite belief systems and relate this to America today. It concludes with the author's own view on what is like to be an African-American today.
From the Paper "Things Fall Apart is the story of a man, Okonkwo, who rises from obscurity to greatness and, because of faults mainly of his own, he falls back down to obscurity. Things Fall Apart precedes No Longer at Ease, which continues the story of Okonkwo by describing the life of his grandson, Obi Okonkwo, and his largely identical path with his grandfather. The power of these books, though, lie in the numerous subplots that each presents. These subplots present the Igbo tribes, and Nigeria as a whole, with structure and stability within their government and themselves in Pre Colonial times and confusion and chaos during Colonialism..."
