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Things Fall Apart
When writing a deconstructive analysis of any character in Things Fall Apart, the first thing to do is review the apparent inconsistencies in the character being described. In this case, the...
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Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo has a terrible relationship with his father, Unoka, who is a lazy, effeminate man. Unoka is a known debtor with no titles, who enjoys playing his flute and drinking alcohol. He dies from an...
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Things Fall Apart
This novel is full of examples of power and oppression, both from the colonial incomers to the power of tribal chiefs trying to maintain their position. However, one theme of the book which will...
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Things Fall Apart
The uri or betrothal ceremony for Obierika’s daughter takes place in Chapter 12 of Things Fall Apart. This ceremony begins with the potential bridegroom bringing large quantities of palm wine for...
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Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo and his father Unoka have very little in common. Although both are tall men, Unoka walks with a stoop, burdened by the scorn of his tribe. The Igbo people value power and ferocity in...
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Things Fall Apart
In chapter 25 of Things Fall Apart, the District Commissioner comes in search of Okonkwo and is told that "He is not here." When he insists on being taken to him, Obierika and the other men lead...
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Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo's life is a direct result of his past experience as a child and adolescent. When Okonkwo was young, he feared becoming like his inept father, Unoka, who was effeminate and title-less....
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Things Fall Apart
The ekwe is used primarily as a method of long-distance communication, capable of reaching all nine villages at once. Chapter 13 opens with its distinctive sound, carrying a message from Okonkwo's...
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Things Fall Apart
The depth and beauty of the Igbo culture in Things Fall Apart is particularly evident in the descriptions of tribal customs and rituals, including musical performances, dances, and religious...
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Things Fall Apart
Enoch is depicted as a zealous Christian convert who is antagonistic and hostile toward others. Enoch's father was a snake-priest, and there were rumors that Enoch killed the sacred python. Under...
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Things Fall Apart
Although Okonkwo is a successful, proud leader of Umuofia, he is afraid of being viewed as weak or becoming like his effeminate father, Unoka. Okonkwo's hypermasculinity and fear of being viewed as...
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Things Fall Apart
In Things Fall Apart, the traditional way of life for the Igbo society is changing due to the coming of the European missionary Christians. The European Christians are bringing their beliefs to...
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Things Fall Apart
Simile: Figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words "like" or "as." "Okonkwo's fame had grown like a bush-fire in the harmattan" (Achebe, 1). "Okonkwo was as...
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Things Fall Apart
Things fall apart for both the protagonist of the story and the Igbo village of Umuofia in Achebe's classic novel. Okonkwo is depicted as an aggressive, violent man, who fears being viewed as weak...
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Things Fall Apart
In chapter eight, Okonkwo visits Obierika and discusses his role in Ikemefuna's death. Obierika does not conceal his feelings and criticizes Okonkwo for his actions. After their discussion,...
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Things Fall Apart
Just as the title of this novel suggests, Okonkwo's downfall is caused by his inability to follow the mores of his culture and to adapt to colonization. His pride aids him breaking the mores of the...
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Things Fall Apart
Obierika thinks that the clan is falling apart because of the demoralizing influence of the white man and particularly the new religion he has brought. When Okonkwo says they should fight the white...
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Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, is a novel about Nigeria in the 19th century before colonialism. It is a tale about a great westler and elder. Itis not until the novel's end that the reader...
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Things Fall Apart
In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo's father Unoka has a tremendous impact on the trajectory of Okonkwo's life. Unoka never obtains titles or any level of success within the clan. Indeed,...
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Things Fall Apart
Nigerian author Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is a novel first published in 1958. It is set in the south-eastern part of Nigeria, from pre-colonial times to the arrival of the Europeans in...
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Things Fall Apart
One way that a flashback reveals an aspect of Okonkwo's life is in Chapter One as the history of Okonkwo's father is revealed. When he was young, Unoka, the grown up was a failure. He was...
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Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is a novel set in the south-eastern part of Nigeria, from pre-colonial times to the arrival of the Europeans in the late nineteenth century. It was published in...
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Things Fall Apart
Two of the contrasting father figures that are presented in Things Fall Apart are those if Okonkwo and his father, Unoka. Many of Okonkwos specific actions and, it might be argued, his entire adult...
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Things Fall Apart
In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo clearly does not have respect for women. He beats his wives as he does his children. He treats his wives as his children. He is violent and extremely aggressive....
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Things Fall Apart
After killing Ikemefuna, Okonkwo is very upset. He doesn't eat for two days and has difficulty sleeping. He was very fond of Ikemefuna and he knew that this boy had been a positive influence on...
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Things Fall Apart
The first people to convert to Christianity in Umuofia are those of the lowest status, who were not permitted any part in the tribe's traditional religion. The church permits anyone to join,...
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Things Fall Apart
In Things Fall Apart, Achebe's message is that power is something to be desired. Okonkwo desires power. He seeks titles to present himself as an honorable leader. He proves himself to be a great...
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Things Fall Apart
There are several messages in Things Fall Apart, but perhaps the most important is that the Englishmen who destroy the tribe are not, as they believe, imposing civilization on savages. They are...
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Things Fall Apart
In chapter 2 of Things Fall Apart, the reader is introduced to Ikemefuna, a young boy who is to be sacrificed as a blood debt to the Umuofia. The chapter sets up the conflict that a young woman...
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Things Fall Apart
In Things Fall Apart, the white man comes in without restraint. The white man brings a new religion, but he does not have any consideration for the tribe's religious beliefs. The white man insists...
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Things Fall Apart
Reverend Brown leads the mission with a cool head, calmness, and patience. He does not try to foist his religion on the tribe but leads by living example. When Brown becomes ill and must leave,...
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Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart tells the tragic story of Okonkwo, an Igbo man who comes into conflict with the changing landscape of colonial Nigeria. At the story’s start, Okonkwo fits well into the...
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Things Fall Apart
Unoka is Okonkwo's father, who is a notorious alcoholic and debtor. Unlike Okonkwo, Unoka is depicted as feminine and lazy. He enjoys spending his time indulging in palm wine and playing the flute....
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Things Fall Apart
In chapter 7 of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna. Ikemefuna was given to Okonkwo's village to be sacrificed. Sacrificing ikemefuna would prevent war between these two neighboring clans....
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Things Fall Apart
Static characters end with the same inner traits and world view as they begin the story with. In other words, whatever they go through or experience, whatever tragedies or adventures they have, the...
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Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo was ashamed of his father. He was determined to be nothing like his father. His father was called agabala--the term that translated into woman. He was considered womanish or effeminate...
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Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart has three primary themes. The first theme is the conflict between evolution and tradition. Many of the villagers are looking forward to new opportunities but are also afraid of...
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Things Fall Apart
In Things Fall Apart, the world the story is set in displays elements of patriarchal control and oppression as the men of the village are able to extend a massive amount of control over the women....
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Things Fall Apart
Published in 1958, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart came at a critical time. In the United States, the civil rights movement had come into full swing: people were protesting, demanding...
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Things Fall Apart
Thanks for the question! It is easy to argue that miscommunication led to some of the conflicts between the citizens of Umuofia and the British colonizers in Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall...
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Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe, the author of Things Fall Apart, was raised in an Igbo village himself. In this novel, he utilizes the Igbo language for several different reasons. First of all, the function of...
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Things Fall Apart
In the early chapters of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo largely moves beyond his preoccupation with his youthful successes, such as in wrestling, and his self-identification as a warrior. He...
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Things Fall Apart
In Things Fall Apart, there are many complex traditions in the Igbo clans. Some traditions are hard to understand. One tradition involves the murdering of innocent twins at birth. The birth of...
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Things Fall Apart
In chapter 15, Obierika tells Okonkwo that the village of Abame has been destroyed. He tells Okonkwo that "three white men and a very large number of other men surrounded the market" and began...
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Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo is a good father in that he provides for his family and protects them when necessary. He is also a successful man who demonstrates to his children the importance of hard work and...
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Things Fall Apart
Your second reference to chi is actually on part of the quote, and this is a very important quote that includes another reference to chi. Note what the narrator tells us about the character of...
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Things Fall Apart
The problem of infant death is explored in chapter 9 of Things Fall Apart. While there are many possible causes for death at a young age, the concept of the ogbanje figures into one common Igbo...
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Things Fall Apart
Unoka and Okonkwo represent reactions to the traditional ways of life. Unoka did not meet the village's expectations of what a man should be, as he was considered weak. He disliked fighting and...
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Things Fall Apart
The Ibo have a complex justice system, that involves all members of the community. The role of judges are played by the egwugwu, who are prominent citizens of the village wearing masks. The masks...
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Things Fall Apart
Thanks for the question! Ultimately, the response to this prompt on Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart is a matter of opinion. It is important to consider the arguments on both sides as you...
