Things fall apart

Things Fall Apart

What falls apart and why?

The title of Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart refers mainly to the integrity of the Nigerian tribal cultures: to their customs, traditions, and ways of life, all of which fall apart as the result of internal and external conflicts. In Okonkwo's personal life, a series of unfortunate events lead to his loss of personal integrity and his eventual psychological destruction. The gradual yet dramatic falling apart of Okonkwo parallels the falling apart of his community. Okonkwo's beating his wife during the Week of Peace denoted a clear violation of sacred tradition. Okonkwo's respect for tradition diminishes further throughout the novel and culminates in his killing Ikemefuna. The murder of his foster son was not an ordinary moral transgression, but also an affront to the wisdom of the tribal elders and their spiritual oracles. Things really fall apart for Okonkwo and his family when, in a darkly ironic accident, Okonkwo accidentally kills tribal elder Ogbuefi Ezeudu's son, who was around the same age as Ikemefuna. Okonkwo's exile signifies the falling apart of the Umuofia clan, which had lost one its most respected warriors and whose traditions were being threatened by encroaching modernity.

Especially as he lives his life in exile, the personal demise of Okonkwo closely parallels that of Nigerian tribal culture in general. White missionaries deride the tribal customs and cultures of Nigeria, which leads to internal strife. When Reverend James Smith takes Mr. Brown's place, things fall apart at the seams for Mbanta. Converts take up the Christian cause, angering those committed to tradition. In a last attempt to assert his individuality and his culture, Okonkwo falls into a trap. His suicide is the ultimate symbol of things falling apart: of individual and collective demise.

2. How does fear play a part in the novel?

Fear, a universal human constant, drives the motives and actions of many of the novel's characters and therefore affects the outcome of events. Okonkwo's concern for his son is largely promoted by a lingering fear for Nwoye's masculinity. Okonkwo's concern for his son actually stems from his fearing for his own virility, illustrated in the encounter between him and Ekwefi. Okonkwo's personal fears of his own masculinity resurface with his relationship with Ikemefuna. One of the motives for Okonkwo's killing the boy was a fear of being emasculated. Okonkwo's fears, which he keeps hidden from view, also cause him to withhold genuine love and affection for his family. Ironically, Okonkwo's actions create a loss of self-respect that causes his innate masculinity to diminish anyway.

Fear occasionally serves more constructive purposes, as when Ekwefi fears for her children's well-being. Fear can also create social cohesion and the conformity necessary to uphold traditions. For example, if Okonkwo had feared for the repercussions of his killing Ikemefuna rather than fearing his being emasculated in front of a stranger, then he might have avoided the catastrophe. Ascription to social codes, even when done out of fear, can be a constructive measure. On the other hand, the Christian missionaries attempt to attract converts by instilling a sense of fear and inferiority into the Mbanta residents.