Set in the 1890's, Things Fall Apart is the story of Okonkwo, the people of Umoufia and their neighbours before and after the arrival of Christianity, Western commerce and civilisation.
About Igbo Customs
The story is told in simple but rich language packed with Ibgo proverbs. The reader is left in no doubt about the author's intention to show that the 'primitive tribes of the lower Niger,' as the smug District Commissioner puts it, had a rich and varied culture.
It is mainly Okonwo's story but several characters take centre stage throughout the plot to put a spotlight on one or other aspect of Igbo tradition.
Ezinma, Ikemefuma, Chielo and Ezeudu
Okonkow's wife Ekwefi illustrates the life of a woman who looses all but one of her children to the grave.
Ezinma, her only child, introduces the concept of ogbanje, wicked children who re-enter their mother's womb and get born again.
Through the stories her mother tells her the Igbo story telling tradition is demonstrated.
Chielo, the high priestess of Agbala, is thrown in to shed light on the varied spirituality of the clan.
Ikemefuna shows how the people of Umoufia deal with provocation from another village. A daughter of Umoufia had gone to a market in Mbaino and was killed. The clan sends Okonkwo as emissary of war. Due to the neighbouring villages' fear of the Oracle of the Hills and Caves, who guards and guides Umoufia, Okonkwo is treated with respect and returns home with the fifteen year old lad Ikemefuna and a virgin. Thus war is averted.
Ikemefuna is killed three years later as ordained by the Oracle.
Ezeudu, a great warrior, dies and is buried with full military honours and gun salute. The respect that the Igbo accorded to their elders is without doubt. A tragic incident occurs here that mars Okonkwo's life.
Many customs are mentioned but not described; others are described but not explained.
The author writes with raw honesty and neither romanticizes nor judges the people of Umoufia.
Okonkwo's Fear
Okonkwo's hard exterior hides a deep seated fear of failure. The memory of his late father, Nwoye, who died poor and without taking a title, haunts him.
However, Okonkwo has earned his high place in the hierarchy of the clan. He is having the best time of his life when he is sent to exile for accidentally killing a clansmen during Ezeudu's funeral. For seven sad years he lives in Mbanta, his mother's homeland.
The Missionaries Come to Mbanta
During Okonkwo's exile the missionaries first come to Mbanta. Worthless men, women and outcasts join them.
A poignant moment is when Nneka the wife of Amadi, who had borne four sets of twins, all thrown away after birth, joins the new faith during her fifth pregnancy. For her and many others who were not having it good, Christianity meant deliverance and hope. The missionaries rescued twins from the forest and cared for them.
Nwoye joins the new faith
For Nwoye the white man's religion sheds light where there is darkness. Questions that torment his young soul are answered. He finally lays the ghost of Ikemefuna to rest.
Okonkwo learns about his son's conversion and pounces on him. Nwoye flees and never comes back.
Okonkwo still hopes. He has three other sons and would be returning to Umoufia soon. The small village of Mbanta had allowed the mad religion to establish itself, he reasons, but surely Umoufia, the land of warriors,would not allow such a thing.
Plans for the Future
As the years of exile draw to a close, Okonkwo puts his plans for the future in motion. He wants to be bigger than before. He aims to rebuild his compound on a grander scale, erect a bigger barn and marry two new wives. In fact, Okonkwo had started planning from the first year of exile.
But alas the missionaries had firmly established themselves in Umoufia. And with them is the government headed by the District Commissioner.
Umoufia had changed. Okonkwo advocates war to drive out the intruders. Many agree with him that the white man's religion is 'lunatic' but appreciate the commerce he brings.
Clashes between traditionalist on one hand and converts to the new faith, the missionary and the government on the other ensue with tragic consenquences for Okonkwo.
About Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe is a Nigerian novelist, essayist and poet.
In addition to receiving numerous literary prizes, Achebe has been awarded more than twenty honourary doctorates from around the world. Things Fall Apart ishis first novel and was published in 1958. It has been translated into 40 languages. Achebe is the author of four other novels , four published essays and works of poetry.
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Sources
bbc.co.uk, Chinua Achebe: Profile
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