Things fall apart quotes Flashcards
“Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are
eaten.”
Chapter 1
Themes of: Language and Tradition v Change
Proverbs play a significant role in the novel, appearing both in the interactions between characters and in the language of the narrator. They are an important aspect of the “art of conversation” in the novel, and their use is described as “the palm-oil with which words are eaten.” Proverbs function as a way to soften or mitigate potentially harsh or direct statements. They differ from metaphorical or allegorical language because they are tied to a specific shared cultural history, rather than valuing originality and departure from shared history. The use of proverbs in the novel reflects a fusion of local artistic tradition and the form of the novel, which has European heritage.
“Age was respected among his people, but achievement was revered. As the elders said, if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings.”
Chapter 1
Themes - Language, Fate v Free Will & Tradition v Change
In the Igbo society, personal achievement is highly valued and can lead to upward mobility. This is in contrast to a strict hierarchy based on age. The Igbo culture is dynamic and rewards merit, allowing for mobility based on personal achievement. However, the selection of cultural norms and proverbs that allow for this mobility is largely controlled by the elders, who still hold a certain level of power. Okonkwo’s rapid ascent in society is an example of how personal prowess can grant someone a higher status than their age would normally allow.
“Dangerous animals became even more sinister and uncanny in the dark. A snake was never called by its name at night, because it would hear. It was called a string.”
Chapter 2
Themes - **Language **
Okonkwo hears a call summoning the men to the marketplace in Umuofia, and the narrator reflects on the cultural significance of darkness in this society. The people of Umuofia fear the darkness and the wild animals that roam at night. The narrator also notes the way in which language and superstition are intertwined in this society, with proverbs and words believed to have spiritual power and the ability to alter events. The narrator is an outside observer of these cultural beliefs, while the citizens of Umuofia are fully immersed in them.
“[Okonkwo] was not afraid of war. He was a man of action, a man of war. Unlike his father he could stand the look of blood. In Umuofia’s latest war he was the first to bring home a human head.”
Chapter 2
Themes - Masclinity
Okonkwo, the protagonist of the novel, is a strong and aggressive character who is defined by his actions in war. He reflects on his recent successes and confidently predicts success in future battles. However, his tendency to immediately jump to violent conclusions foreshadows his eventual downfall. This passage also reveals that in the society depicted in the novel, warfare includes the taking of trophies to demonstrate military prowess. The passage also contrasts Okonkwo’s strength and aggression with the weakness of his father, suggesting that Okonkwo’s assertive behavior is a way of distancing himself from his father. The mention of a “human head” as a trophy further illustrates the violent nature of this society.
“And in fairness to Umuofia it should be recorded that it never went to war unless its case was clear and just and was accepted as such by its Oracle – the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves. And there were indeed occasions when the Oracle had forbidden Umuofia to wage a war. If the clan had disobeyed the Oracle they would surely have been beaten, because their dreaded agadi-nwayi would never fight what the Ibo call a fight of blame.”
Chapter 2
Themes - Fate v Free Will, Tradition v Change & Religion
In the town of Umuofia, the decision to go to war is made through a complex and mediated process that involves consulting spiritual authorities and gathering the opinions of the town’s members. This process is seen as effective because it has resulted in war being “forbidden” at certain times. The Oracles, who offer their resolution on whether to go to war, are believed to have prophetic and spiritual power. The narrator also notes that unsanctioned battles would be considered a “flight of blame” and would not be based on honor or divine need. This decision-making process is later contrasted with the characters’ inability to predict the actions of the white men.
“Even as a little boy he had resented his father’s failure and weakness, and even now he still remembered how he had suffered when a playmate had told him that his father was agbala. That was how Okonkwo first came to know that agbala was not only another name for a woman, it could also mean a man who had taken no title. And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion – to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved. One of those things was gentleness and another was idleness.”
Chapter 2
Themes - Tradition vs Change, Langauge & Masculinity
the narrator describes Okonkwo as a harsh and strict person who has organized his family in a strict manner. The narrator suggests that Okonkwo’s strict personality is a result of his desire to distance himself from his father, whom he saw as weak. This is due in part to the importance of language in Umuofia society, as the label “agbala” is used to designate a feminine and untitled man, which shapes Okonkwo’s relationship with his father and his own identity. The narrator implies that Okonkwo’s strict personality is not an inherent quality or a reflection of Umuofia society, but rather a reaction to his father. The text also suggests that Okonkwo’s single-mindedness may have left him blind to the potential effectiveness of gentleness in his household.
“Unoka was an ill-fated man. He had a bad chi or personal god, and evil fortune followed him to the grave, or rather to his death, for he had no grave. He died of the swelling which was an abomination to the earth goddess.”
Chapter 3
Themes - Fate vs Free Will & Religion
The narrator reflects on the life of Unoka, the father of the main character Okonkwo, and how his failures and eventual death impacted Okonkwo’s development. The narrator suggests that Unoka’s failures were due to his bad fate and personal god, both of which were visible in his death. While earlier in the novel, Unoka’s failures were attributed to his personality, this passage attributes them more to destiny, with external factors such as “ill-fated” and “evil fortune” being to blame. However, the idea of a “bad chi or personal god” is more complex, as it implies that Unoka was born into his circumstances, but also links those circumstances directly to his personality. The passage leaves some ambiguity about where personal accountability fits into the society depicted in the novel. The cause of Unoka’s death is also significant, as he “died of the swelling,” which is seen as an external curse and an offense to the earth goddess. This leads to Unoka being buried in the Evil Forest instead of in a grave, further separating him from the rest of the society.
“But the Ibo people have a proverb that when a man says yes his chi says yes also. Okonkwo said yes very strongly; so his chi agreed.”
Chapter 4
Themes - Fate vs Free Will, Language & Religion
In the society depicted in the text, the concept of “chi” encompasses both fate and personal characteristics. It is suggested that individuals can shape their own fate by exhibiting determination and motivation. The narrator’s use of the proverb highlights the importance of both fate and personal qualities in the success of a character like Okonkwo, who is highly respected in the society for both his good “chi” and his strong personality. The text suggests that the interplay between fate and personal qualities is important in understanding an individual’s actions and successes.
“Okonkwo did as the priest said. He also took with him a pot of palm-wine. Inwardly, he was repentant. But he was not the man to go about telling his neighbors that he was in error. And so people said he had no respect for the gods of the clan.”
Chapter 4
Themes - **Tradition vs Change, Language, Masculinity & Religion **
In the story, Okonkwo beats his wife during the Week of Peace, a time when violence is forbidden. Despite feeling repentant, Okonkwo’s pride prevents him from publicly showing his remorse, which causes him to be socially admonished. The importance of external performance in the society is emphasized, as religion is seen as both a private and public act and remorse must be externalized. This moment also marks a shift in the society’s perception of Okonkwo, as his aggression and desire to maintain a strong image in front of his neighbors causes him to violate social norms and be seen as lacking respect for the clan’s gods. Okonkwo’s personal prowess conflicts with spiritual and social norms in the society.
“Okonkwo did as the priest said. He also took with him a pot of palm-wine. Inwardly, he was repentant. But he was not the man to go about telling his neighbors that he was in error. And so people said he had no respect for the gods of the clan.”
Chapter 4
Themes - Tradition vs Change, Langauge, Masculinity & Language
Okonkwo beats his wife during the Week of Peace and then repents before the priest of Ani. However, he is unable to show his repentance publicly due to his pride, which is seen as a problem in Umuofia society where external performance is valued. The incident reveals that religion in the society is both a private and public act and that remorse must be shown to the entire society. Okonkwo’s actions in this instance also lead to a shift in the society’s view of him as his aggressive and rigid personality causes him to break social norms and be perceived as lacking respect for the gods of the clan. Okonkwo’s personal strength may align with certain masculine values in the society, but it also causes conflict with other spiritual and social values.
“Nwoye knew that it was right to be masculine and to be violent, but somehow he still preferred the stories that his mother used to tell”
Chapter 7
Themes - Masculinty & Langauge
Nwoye, a character in the novel, is a boy but prefers “feminine” activities such as storytelling, which is seen as negative by Okonkwo. This passage highlights the strict divide between masculine and feminine in the society depicted in the novel and the way characters are categorized based on their actions. However, we should be cautious not to view storytelling as inherently negative or inappropriate for Nwoye. The value of language and storytelling is emphasized throughout the novel and it ultimately has a lasting impact, surpassing temporary displays of masculine power.
“And at last the locusts did descend. They settled on every tree and on every blade of grass; they settled on the roofs and covered the bare ground. Mighty tree branches broke away under them, and the whole country became the brown-earth color of the vast, hungry swarm.”
Chapter 7
Themes - Traditon vs Change
The arrival of locusts in Achebe’s text brings both welcome food and a nuanced omen for the society of Umuofia. While locusts may symbolize sin and plague in a Judeo-Christian context, they are welcomed as nourishment in Umuofia. The culture becomes closely identified with the locusts, which represent a widespread shift in society and foreshadow a significant event. The locusts’ arrival serves as a contrast to the later introduction of Christianity through missionaries in the novel, as Umuofia exists independently of the missionaries and has not adopted the Christian meaning of locusts into its symbolic system.
“Ezinma took the dish in one hand and the empty water bowl in the other and went back to her mother’s hut. “She should have been a boy,” Okonkwo said to himself again. His mind went back to Ikemefuna and he shivered.”
Chapter 8
Themes - Fate vs Free Will & Masculinity
In the passage, Enzima gives Okonkwo a dish of plantains and assertively tells him to finish them. Okonkwo follows her command and even praises her for being assertive. However, Okonkwo wishes that Enzima had been born a boy because of her masculine qualities. This passage highlights the gender roles in Umuofia society, as masculine behaviors are respected, but they are only acceptable if they are performed by a man. The text challenges traditional gender roles by showing a woman performing masculine actions, but it ultimately reaffirms them by having Okonkwo wish that Enzima was a man.
” “The world is large,” said Okonkwo. “I have even heard that in some tribes a man’s children belong to his wife and her family.”
“That cannot be,” said Machi. “You might as well say that the woman lies on top of the man when they are making the children.” “
Chapter 8
Themes - Tradition vs Change & Masculinity
During a conversation about the bride-price for Obierika’s daughter, the characters discuss different gender roles and customs in other cultures. Okonkwo describes a matriarchal society, which shocks Machi and causes him to compare familial ownership to sexual positions. This exchange highlights the highly patriarchal nature of Umuofia society and the characters’ difficulty in understanding and accepting other cultural practices. It also suggests the importance of being able to negotiate with different norms.
“It was a crime against the earth goddess to kill a clansman, and a man who committed it must flee from the land. The crime was of two kinds, male and female. Okonkwo had committed the female, because it had been inadvertent. He could return to the clan after seven years”
Chapter 13
Themes - Tradition vs Change, Fate vs Free Will, Masculinity & Religion
Okonkwo accidentally kills Ezeudu’s son, which is considered a crime against the earth goddess. The punishment for this crime is determined by its gendered nature, with male crimes being treated differently from female crimes. Okonkwo’s act is deemed “female” due to its accidental nature, but it is also considered “male” due to its violent nature. This passage reveals that Okonkwo’s obsession with violence and strength has caused him to act rashly and has brought out his fears of femininity. It also shows that all actions in Umuofia society are coded based on gender.
