"Things Fall Apart"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that one of the main themes within Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart' is the conversion of indigenous Africans to Christianity. The paper focuses on the character of Okonkwo, who is a symbol of the plight of the colonized Africa. The paper reports that Okonkwo is exiled to his matrilineal village when the Christian missionaries arrive.

From the Paper:

"Okonkwo was somehow innately aware that his world would never be the same, especially after the conversion of his son to the white man's faith and the loss of his home, both in his village and in the village of his mother. Okonkwo defied those who would have accepted a slow transition into a European holding by blindly acting, without thought and so he is therefore painted as a villain to his people and even in our modern culture that stresses anger management and social control. Yet, Achebe paints the hopelessness of the situation as he demonstrates the existence of those who would eventually help the Europeans forever change the values that these people held dear. Okonkwo is then at once very human in his failings, before and after his dealings with the white man and his ways but also a hero for having the insight to resist change, in even the most "progressive" appearing manner."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor Books, 1994.
• Iyasere, Solomon O., ed. Understanding Things Fall Apart: Selected Essays and Criticism. Troy, NY: Whitston Publishing, 1998.
• Mccarthy, B. Eugene. "Rhythm and Narrative Method in Achebe's Things Fall Apart." Understanding Things Fall Apart: Selected Essays and Criticism. Ed. Solomon O. Iyasere. Troy, NY: Whitston Publishing, 1998. 40-54.
• Ogbaa, Kalu. A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999.
• Smith, Angela. "The Mouth with Which to Tell of Their Suffering: The Role of Narrator and Reader in Achebe's Things Fall Apart." Understanding Things Fall Apart: Selected Essays and Criticism. Ed. Solomon O. Iyasere. Troy, NY: Whitston Publishing, 1998. 8-24.

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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