What three messages does Achebe present in Things Fall Apart?

Chinua Achebe depicts and examines the rich traditions and culture of Igbo society in his classic novel Things Fall Apart. He wrote the story in response to Conrad's racist novella Heart of Darkness, which portrayed Africans as uncivilized savages. Throughout Achebe's story, Africans are depicted as civilized, rational beings with a rich culture and complex religion. Readers are intrigued and fascinated by Achebe's portrayal of Igbo society, which significantly contrasts with former narratives written by racist white Europeans. In his story, Achebe destroys the prejudiced concept that white Europeans have a superior, more civilized culture.

Achebe also explores the dangers of ambition and fear. Okonkwo desperately desires to attain titles and gain recognition as a fierce warrior because he is afraid that he will be like his unsuccessful father, Unoka. Okonkwo develops into a callous, hypermasculine man who refuses to show his sensitive side. His fear and ambition lead to violence, which results in his downfall. He is depicted as a tragic hero whose fall from greatness is moving and sad.

Achebe also examines the nature of colonialism and depicts both the positive and negative aspects of a culture clash. While the white Europeans bring education, religion, and economic growth to the region, they purposely undermine the Igbo society and attempt to suppress the traditional culture. Assimilation significantly affects the Igbo village, and the culture clash results in violence. Zealous white Europeans purposely undermine the Igbo culture and attempt to control the entire region as their territory expands. The presence of western culture threatens to destroy the traditional Igbo way of life, which Achebe brilliantly depicts as rich and complex.

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 wrestler and warrior. People of his clan look up to him:

Okonkwo is a man of great personal achievements. After he threw the great wrestler Amalinze the Cat, at the age of 18, his fame spread. He is a wealthy farmer with three wives, many children, two barns full of yams, and two titles. He has also proven his prowess in two intertribal wars.

Indeed, Achebe is sending the message that power is something one can use to prove one's sense of excellence. Okonkwo is just one leader among the many elders in the clan.

Achebe also sends the message that while some traditions are to be valued, other traditions should be disregarded. Traditions that uphold hospitality are to be honored. Showing respect to the leaders is a great tradition. Showing respect and hospitality are great traditions. Throwing twins into the Evil Forest is a tradition that should not be in practice. Achebe is clear that some traditions are worthwhile, but others are preposterous.

A third message that Achebe is sending is that fear can bring one's downfall. Okonkwo, though a great leader, lives in constant fear. Fear of being like his father, Unoka, is constantly on his mind. Okonkwo beats his wives and children out of fear that they will become weak and useless. Okonkwo cannot rest, even during the week of peace, for fear of being thought of as lazy. Okonkwo kills a boy who called him father, Ikemefuna, out of fear of being considered weak. Achebe is definitely clear in his message that fear will paralyze one. Okonkwo does not truly enjoy his existence. He lives in constant fear. Ultimately, Okonkwo dies in fear. When his clan refuses to go to war against the white missionaries and English Bureaucrats, Okonkwo hangs himself. He ends his life with dishonor and is buried without honor, just like his father. His greatest fear came to past. Achebe's message is quite clear. Fear is the enemy.

What message does Chinua Achebe convey in 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 eradicating another complex civilization, which has much in it that ought to be preserved. Achebe emphasizes this by the care with which he records the Igbo customs and the dignity—an austere kind of poetry—with which he invests their speech. This is evident throughout the novel, particularly in the theological debates between Akunna and Mr. Brown:

"You carve a piece of wood—like that one” (he pointed at the rafters from which Akunna’s carved Ikenga hung) “and you call it a god. But it is still a piece of wood.”

“Yes,” said Akunna. “It is indeed a piece of wood. The tree from which it came was made by Chukwu, as indeed all minor gods were. But He made them for His messengers so that we could approach Him through them."

Akunna's perspective makes perfect sense. Although Mr. Brown is vastly better than Mr. Smith, he still does not treat the Igbo as equals. Yet anyone unfamiliar with Christian ritual who saw people in church kneeling before a cross would also think that they were worshipping a piece of wood. Mr. Brown does not quite appreciate this, and Akunna seems more sophisticated than the English pastor in his understanding of religion.