How things come together in Things Fall Apart

  Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, is the story of an Igbo village in Nigeria and the arrival of European missionaries into Africa. The book revolves around Okonkwo, a controversial figure who, surprisingly, does not play the role of a protagonist. Nonetheless Achebe tells his tale through a series of entertaining stories that allow the reader to learn about Okonkwo's village and culture.

    "Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond..." Achebe begins his novel by describing Okonkwo, the central character throughout the book, as a legendary and almost mythical figure. "He was tall and huge, and his bushy eyebrows and wide nose gave him a very severe look... When he walked, his heels hardly touched the ground and he seemed to walk on springs, as if he was going to pounce on somebody... He had a slight stammer and whenever he was angry enough and could not get his words out quickly enough he would use his fists. He had no patience with unsuccessful men" (Achebe, 1-2). In the very beginning of the book, Achebe intentionally describes Okonkwo by his looks and achievements. This initial description is important in understanding Okonkwo since it gives readers an idea of his values. As the readers learn, Okonkwo chooses to present qualities he believes are associated with power and success, such as violence or insensitivity. However, Achebe's characters are much more complex than they appear.

    It is obvious that gender roles and stereotypes have a huge influence on how Okonkwo chooses to present himself. But as the book goes on, certain situations reveal a 'softer', more sensitive version of Okonkwo that was not present in the first pages. On occasion he betrays his masculine persona and expresses emotions he associates with weakness or failure. One example of this was when a priestess suddenly takes one of Okonkwo's children in the night for a ceremony. The author writes, "Okonkwo was also feeling tired, and sleepy, for although nobody else knew it, he had not slept at all last night. He had felt very anxious but did not show it. When Ekwefi had followed the priestess, he had allowed what he regarded as a reasonable and manly interval to pass and then gone... to the shrine" (Achebe, 112). It is in passages such as these where the readers understand just how complex Okonkwo is. Though I find the plot engaging, it is really Okonkwo that demonstrates Achebe's talent in creating such dynamic and interesting characters.

    I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in realistic or historical fiction. The novel takes place in a setting very different from where we live today, and I found the lifestyles and cultural differences fascinating. Coincidentally, the book also takes place in Nigeria, so the novel provides useful context for the book we are reading in class. But most of all, I enjoyed Achebe's writing style and how he effectively and efficiently gives the reader 3rd person glimpses into Okonkwo's life and the story of a village in Nigeria. 

- Amelie