Things Fall Apart Intentions & exam technique Flashcards
intentions for things fall apart : (8)
To offer a complex picture of life in pre-colonial Igbo communities
To celebrate, respect or explore traditional Igbo customs and beliefs
To show the grandeur and the weakness of pre-colonial Igbo society
To redress the balance of (and satirise) colonial accounts of Igbo culture
To criticise the ideas behind colonialism
To provide a nuanced portrait of the arrival of Christian religion
To show the tragic effects of religious intolerance
To show the personal consequences of political / national conflict
Colonialism and Cultural Disruption
Achebe critiques the devastating impact of European colonialism on Igbo society, highlighting the erasure of indigenous traditions and autonomy.
Tradition vs Change
He explores the tension between upholding ancestral customs and adapting to new influences, showing how rigid adherence to tradition can lead to downfall.
Masculinity and Power
Through Okonkwo’s character, Achebe examines toxic masculinity, revealing how fear of weakness leads to destructive choices.
Fate vs Free Will
The novel questions the extent to which individuals control their destinies versus being shaped by societal expectations and external forces.
Language and storytelling
Achebe emphasizes the importance of African voices in literature, using proverbs and oral traditions to challenge Western narratives about Africa being uncivilized
Justice and retribution
He critiques the harsh and often contradictory nature of both Igbo justice and colonial legal systems, showing how both can fail individuals.
Fragility of civilization
Achebe warns that no society, no matter how strong, is immune to collapse when faced with internal divisions and external pressures.
how does he portray his intentions throughout the book
by describing Igbo society as static and lifeless in the beginning of the book, and ending it by voicing oppressive narratives, and indentifying the colonial powers as an oppressor.
omniscient narrator
what does telling the story from a human perspective do
it humanizes the people and their culture, showing their complex traditions, governance and belief
how does the novel avoid idealization
by showing bot the strengths and the flaws of pre-colonial Igbo life
what will you say in the introduction
- mention the intentions
- key ideas you will discuss
- summary
- tone
NO DEVICES
What will you say in your conclusion
- summarise argument
- overall effect Achebe creates
- readers response
- tone
when analyzing language and structure, what do you focus on ? (4)
Diction & Imagery – How does Achebe’s word choice evoke emotion or meaning?
Symbolism – What do key symbols (e.g., fire, yams, locusts) represent?
Foreshadowing – How does Achebe hint at later events (e.g., Okonkwo’s downfall)?
Contrast – How does Achebe contrast traditional Igbo life with colonial rule?
what are the steps to approaching the extract
- read the question
- highlight the key words
- read the extract
- make 3 mini summaries
- find 2 quotations for each summary
- make a point
