"Things Fall Apart"

Paper Summary:

This paper relates the plot of "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, focusing on the main character, Okonkwo, his character flaws and Achebe's exclusive emphasis on masculine behavior and male characters. The writer suggests that, just as Okonkwo lived under gender influences, so did Achebe. The writer explains that Okonkwo obsesses on his masculinity and represses any femininity in himself and that this emphasis on manliness is what drives Okonkwo toward trouble. The paper further describes the consequences of this imbalance between Okonkwo's masculine and feminine self and relates that it is what ultimately caused his death.

From the Paper:

"During Ezeudu's funeral Okonkwo accidentally shot Ezeudu's son and was sent into exile. Many claim that this misfortune occurred in order to punish Okonkwo for all the harsh things he did to his wives and sons in the past. From this point on Okonkwo's life goes downward. Now, Okonkwo faces his fear directly as he realizes that his dreams of becoming one of the lords of his clan was now destroyed. During Okonkwo's absence, many things happened to his clan that he would have never have expected. During the seven years of exile, many of Okonkwo's clan members, including his own son, Nwoye converted and followed after the missionaries who came. Because he was so far away, he was not able to make any masculine decisions and take charge of his clan. When Okonkwo returned to his land, obviously, he had every intention of fixing everything to make it as if the missionaries had never come. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• BOOKRAGS STAFF. "Okonkwo's Self-Destructive Masculinity in "Things Fall Apart"". 2000. April 7 2008. <http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/10/9/12494/9724>.
• BOOKRAGS STAFF. "Things Fall Apart: Masculinity". 2000. April 7 2008. <http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/4/5/20254/01707>.

More papers on "Things Fall Apart":

• Essay # 137720 : "The End of Clan Unity – Things Fall Apart"
• Book Review # 73875 : "Characterization in Achebe's "Things Fall Apart"
• Book Review # 73851 : "Setting in Achebe's "Things Fall Apart"
• Book Review # 71173 : "Things Fall Apart"

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