Things Fall Apart by Chinua-Achebe

 

Hello Friends, 

Warmly welcome to my blog post on the Things Fall Apart by Chinua-Achebe. Here I will discuss the issue, connection and questions related to the bridge of text. I hope you will get some new insight from this post. 

Things Fall Apart 

“A true classic of world literature . . . A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.” —Barack Obama 

This sentence was asserted for Chinua-Achebe's literary works. Things Fall Apart is the debut novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, first published in 1958. It depicts pre-colonial life in the southeastern part of Nigeria and the arrival of Europeans during the late 19th century. It is seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English, and one of the first to receive global critical acclaim. It is a staple book in schools throughout Africa and is widely read and studied in English-speaking countries around the world. The novel was first published in the UK in 1962 by William Heinemann Ltd, and became the first work published in Heinemann's African Writers Series. Now in this blog we will discuss the various aspects of the novel,  having some questions related to the text as it was pondered below. Click on the question to perceive an answer. 

1. What is the historical context of Things Fall Apart?

2. What is the significance of the title?

3. Write a brief note on the concept of 'Chi' in Things Fall Apart?

4. What do you think about the incident of Ikemefuna? How does it help to understand the Ibo culture in more specific ways?

Okonkwo disobeys the authority and advice of a clan elder in killing Ikemefuna. His actions are too close to killing a kinsman, which is a grave sin in Igbo culture. Okonkwo is so afraid of looking weak that he is willing to come close to violating tribal law in order to prove otherwise. No one would have thought that Okonkwo was weak if he had stayed in the village. In fact, Obierika’s opinion on the matter suggests that doing so would have been considered the more appropriate action. Instead, Okonkwo’s actions seriously damaged both his relationship with Nwoye and Nwoye’s allegiance to Igbo society.

Nwoye shows promise because he voices chauvinist opinions, but his comments are really aimed at Okonkwo. In fact, Nwoye loves women’s stories and is pleased when his mother or Okonkwo’s other wives ask him to do things for them. He also seeks comfort in his mother’s hut after Ikemefuna’s death. Nwoye’s questioning of Ikemefuna’s death and of the practice of throwing away newborn twins is understandable: Obierika, too, frequently questions tradition. In fact, Obierika refused to accompany the other men to kill Ikemefuna, and Okonkwo points out that Obierika seems to question the Oracle. Obierika also has reservations about the village’s practice of tapping trees. Okonkwo, on the other hand, accepts all of his clan’s laws and traditions unquestioningly.

5. Write a brief note on Ibo people's belief in the world of spirits.

6. How is the difference between the father land and the mother land is described in Things Fall Apart?

7. Write a brief note on the concept of Nativism and Native identity in Things Fall Apart.

8. Point out the important points of Things Fall Apart which can be compared with Kanthapura by Raja Rao.

“African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe.” —Toni Morrison

Thank you.......😊