Editor's Choice
How is Things Fall Apart relevant to today's world?
Quick answer:
Things Fall Apart remains relevant today by teaching the importance of following one's own conscience rather than succumbing to societal pressures, as demonstrated by Okonkwo's tragic decision to kill Ikemefuna. Additionally, the novel revolutionized literature by presenting African culture from an African perspective, challenging the Eurocentric depictions of Africans and influencing future black writers to tell their stories authentically.
Many relevant lessons can be drawn from Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. One lesson is seen when Okonkwo follows the crowd rather than following his own conscience and moral beliefs. Because of this, he ends up facing great guilt and other consequences.
Okonkwo ends up adopting a young child, Ikemefuna, from a neighboring village. This boy is given (along with a young virgin girl) to Okonkwo's village (Umuofia) from the neighboring village to maintain peace. Okonkwo slowly grows to love Ikemefuna and begins to treat him as his own son. In chapter seven, we hear about how much a part of Okonkwo's family Ikemefuna had become:
"For three years Ikemefuna lived in Okonkwo's household and the elders of Umuofia seemed to have forgotten about him. He grew rapidly like a yam tendril in the rainy season, and was full of the sap of life. He had become wholly...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
absorbed into his new family" (ch. 7).
Okonkwo's friends and neighbors see how much a part of the family that Ikemefuna had become. For instance, Ezedu, "the oldest man in this quarter of Umuofia" stops by to talk with Okonkwo. He tells him,
"That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death. . . . Yes, Umuofia has decided to kill him. The Oracle of the Hills and the Caves has pronounced it. They will take him outside Umuofia as is the custom, and kill him there. But I want you to have nothing to do with it. He calls you his father" (ch. 7).
Soon later, some village leaders arrive to kill Ikemefuna. Okonkwo goes along. When they get out of the village, Ikemefuna is told to keep walking and not to look back:
"As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raised his machete, Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow. The pot fell and broke in the sand. He heard Ikemefuna cry, "My father, they have killed me!" as he ran towards him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak" (ch. 7).
Okonkwo attacks Ikemefuna, a boy who is like a son to him, with his machete. He is more worried about "being thought weak" than he is about following his conscience. After, he feels very guilty and is unable to eat or sleep well:
"Okonkwo did not taste any food for two days after the death of Ikemefuna. . . . He did not sleep at night. He tried not to think about Ikemefuna--but the more he tried the more he thought about him."
Okonkwo chose to follow the crowd rather than following his thoughts on right and wrong. He participates in killing Ikemefuna, even though he does not think he should. This shows a relevant lesson for modern readers; instead of following the crowd, we should act according to our beliefs.
One of the most significant messages throughout the novel concerns the dangers of intolerance and prejudice. Unlike Mr. Brown, who seeks to understand the culture of Umuofia by discussing religious differences with Akunna, Mr. Smith is not interested in getting to know the villagers. Achebe writes, "He saw things as black and white. And black was evil" (184). His uncompromising, intolerant attitude towards the villagers of Umuofia motivates Enoch to unmask an egwugwa during an annual ceremony, which leads to further conflict. This concept of viewing situations as "black and white" and developing intolerant attitudes towards foreign cultures is still relevant today. In nearly every society, individuals who practice a different religion, speak a different language, or come from a different culture are ostracized. Without mutual respect for one another's culture, conflict is often inevitable.
Another theme throughout the novel that is still relevant concerns violence. Violence invites serious consequences throughout the story. Okonkwo is punished for accidentally killing Ezeudu's sixteen-year-old son, and the tribe of Abame is wiped out after killing a white man. Achebe suggests that violence is not the answer and only invites destruction. This concept is still relevant in today's societies. Murder and war only seem to beget more destruction, and the loss of life negatively affects families, communities, and countries. Achebe suggests that communication and passive resistance are more effective approaches to conflict.