Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart"

Paper Summary:

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."

More papers on Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" :

• Analytical Essay # 54834 : "Things Fall Apart: An Analysis"
• Book Review # 73851 : "Setting in Achebe's "Things Fall Apart"
• Book Review # 73875 : "Characterization in Achebe's "Things Fall Apart"
• Book Review # 71173 : "Things Fall Apart"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: