Paper Summary:

This paper examines the novel "Thing Fall Apart" which details the lives of the Umuofia tribe in Nigeria during the British expansion in the area. It tells of their young leader Okonkwo and his struggle to make up for his father's wrongdoings. It describes Okonkwo's childhood and tells of how he grows up into a masculine man. Finally, it concludes that even though Okonkwo was a very strong and masculine man, he died a cowardly death.

From the Paper:

"The novel, Things Fall Apart, takes place in the late 1800's. It is set in a small tribal community called Umuofia, which is located in southeastern Nigeria. During this time, there was a major thrust from the British to expand their power economically, politically, and culturally. The Umuofia tribe has the reputation of being a wealthy and powerful tribe. A young leader of this tribe, Okonkwo, has to overcome the failures of his father's past ventures to feel like a worthy member. His father, Unoka, had been known for his lack of responsibility and laziness, which is a serious claim to a tribe with such a solid reputation. Unoka dies a shameful death and leaves his family nothing but his debts. Okonkwo strives to overcome this shame by being a fierce warrior and a successful farmer. His attempts to right the wrongs of his father affect his entire tribe and ultimately contribute to his early death."

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