The novel chronicles the life of Okonkwo, the leader of an Igbo community, from the events leading up to his banishment from the community for accidentally killing a clansman, through the seven years of his exile, to his return, and it addresses a particular problem of emergent Africa—the intrusion in the 1890s of ...
What is the summary of the story Things Fall Apart?
The novel chronicles the life of Okonkwo, the leader of an Igbo community, from the events leading up to his banishment from the community for accidentally killing a clansman, through the seven years of his exile, to his return, and it addresses a particular problem of emergent Africa—the intrusion in the 1890s of ...
What is the main idea of Things Fall Apart?
The Struggle Between Change and Tradition
As a story about a culture on the verge of change, Things Fall Apart deals with how the prospect and reality of change affect various characters . The tension about whether change should be privileged over tradition often involves questions of personal status.
Who died in Things Fall Apart?
Things Fall Apart ends with two related tragedies. The first tragedy is Okonkwo’s death. Following an outburst of unsanctioned violence in which he kills a European messenger who tries to stop a meeting among clan elders, Okonkwo realizes that he is no longer in sync with his society.
Why was ikemefuna killed?
He tells Okonkwo that the Oracle has decreed that Ikemefuna must be killed as part of the retribution for the woman killed three years before in Mbaino. He tells Okonkwo to take no part in the killing since the boy calls him “father.” ... Afraid to appear weak, Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna with his machete.
What is the climax of Things Fall Apart?
The climax of Things Fall Apart, without a doubt is Okonkwo’s return from exile, and when he sees how much Umuofia has changed . The end and resolution is the death of Okonkwo which ended the struggle between the white man and the Ibo culture.
What is the conclusion of Things Fall Apart?
The conclusion to Things Fall Apart is that a final confrontation between Igbo religious and cultural life and the new religion of Western missionaries occurs at a traditional ceremony lamenting the suffering of Igbo ancestors, the ancient gods .
Is Things Fall Apart a true story?
Things Fall Apart is not a true story . It is based on the real European colonization of Nigeria during the late nineteenth century, but the protagonist, Okonkwo, is not a real historical figure.
What is the final message of Things Fall Apart?
Achebe’s message throughout the novel is that change can be devastating . Truly, the novel “depicts conflicts and tensions within Igbo society as well as changes introduced by colonial rule and Christianity.” With a feeling of hopelessness, Okonkwo gives up and hangs himself.
What does the death of Okonkwo symbolize?
Okonkwo’s death symbolizes the death of the entire Ibo culture as he knew it . ... His death is symbolic of the damage that prejudice and disrespect for individual freedoms and beliefs can have upon society and the world.
What Okonkwo fears most?
Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness . ... It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father.
How does Okonkwo Act Two days after ikemefuna’s death?
For two days after Ikemefuna’s death, Okonkwo cannot eat or sleep ; his thoughts return again and again to the boy who was like a son to him. On the third day, when his favorite daughter Ezinma brings him the food he finally requested, he wishes to himself that she was a boy.
Does Okonkwo regret killing Ikemefuna?
The truth is that Okonkwo feels close to the boy and his emotions make him feel weak. To combat that weakness, which he intensely fears and hates, he acts violently. No one can then accuse him of having tender feelings or being regretful about the loss of Ikemefuna.
Why does Okonkwo beat his wife?
During the Week of Peace, Okonkwo notices that his youngest wife, Ojiugo, has left her hut to have her hair braided without having cooked dinner. He beats her for her negligence , shamefully breaking the peace of the sacred week in a transgression known as nso-ani.
What does Ikemefuna symbolize?
Ikemefuna symbolizes the innocent victims of this traditional society before it fell apart . Okonkwo, the novel’s protagonist, sometimes falls foul of the laws in his society. He is punished for breaking the Week of Peace and is sent into exile when he accidentally kills Ezeudu’s son.
What is the main conflict of Things Fall Apart?
Major conflict On one level, the conflict is between the traditional society of Umuofia and the new customs brought by the whites, which are in turn adopted by many of the villagers . Okonkwo also struggles to be as different from his deceased father as possible.
