Things fall apart Flashcards
Theme of tradition versus change between Okonkwo and his feelings about the current state of the clan
Colonisers bring new government and new culture
“Okonkwo was deeply grieved. …He mourned for the clan … for the warlike men.”
Theme of fate and free will (chi)
“When a man says yes, his chi says yes also.”
In the Igbo religion, an individual’s chi, or personal god, is said to determine a person’s fate.
Thus, a person’s failure and success are both attributed to that person’s chi.
This indicates that the chi predetermines the good and bad that happens to an individual (fate).
However the above quote shows a theme of free will
Theme of respect and reputation (Okonkwo)
‘when a child washes his hand, he eats with kings’
Theme of religion within the clan ‘eguwugwus’
The nine egwugwu are ‘the most important and most secret of the clan’
Egwugus fulfil and important function within the clan-act as judge and jury-belies view that Igbo people as a primitive group who believes might means right
Theme of language in Ekwefi’s folktale
Story told by Ekwefi
Tortoise, a cunning creature that outwits birds
Moral is clear-don’t be greedy
Power of language resounds within the folktale as Turtle uses power of language to outwit the birds.
The birds are gullible and lose out because of their honesty and decency
Theme of family between Okonkwo and Ekwefi
‘Go home and sleep, I shall wait here’
First display of love between husband and wife in the book
Theme of language and communication and foreshadowing (1)
Men discussing the white missionaries
One jokingly compares white men to lepers, as the Igbo term for leprosy translates to ‘white skin’
The white men will destroy the villagers’ culture just as leprosy destroys its victims
Context (Achebe as a talented writer)
Tragic hero-originates from Ancient Greek tragedies
Western canon of literature
Achebe is able to draw on both Western and African literature and traditions
Context (Heart of Darkness)
‘black shapes’
‘creatures’
‘dark things’
Theme of fear shown in Okonkwo’s fear of becoming like his father
‘It was fear of himself lest he should be found to resemble his father’
Igbo people and their relationship with religion
Different superstitions
- Twins abandoned in the Evil Forest
- Consult the oracle before making political decisions
Fear of God keeps society in its place and w/o major conflicts
Igbo people and their relationship with religion
Different superstitions
- Twins abandoned in the Evil Forest
- Consult the oracle before making political decisions
Fear of God keeps society in its place and w/o major conflicts
Unmasking of the Egwugwu-links to fall of society due to removal of fear and respect
The theme of fear shown in Ekwefi and her fear of losing Ezinma
Onuwumbiko ‘Death, I implore you’
Ozoemena ‘May it not happen again’
Ekwefi had nine other children who all died-Ezinma is the only one to survive
Ezinma is thought to be an obanje (wicked child) and causes parents repetitive cycles of grief-bouts of sickness.
Okonkwos personality
Whenever he was angry and could not get his words out quickly enough, he would use his fists.
Okonkwo and how he views Nwoye
“Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.”
