Things Fall Apart is not a true story. It is based on the real European colonization of Nigeria during the late nineteenth century, but the protagonist, Okonkwo, is not a real historical figure.
What is the overall meaning of Things Fall Apart?
The Struggle Between Change and Tradition As a story about a culture on the verge of change, Things Fall Apart deals with how the prospect and reality of change affect various characters. … His sense of self-worth is dependent upon the traditional standards by which society judges him.
What is the main lesson of Things Fall Apart?
One of the most important moral lessons of Things Fall Apart is the danger of what we would now call toxic masculinity. Okonkwo epitomizes this attitude, even though it damages those around him, including members of his own family.
Who is Okonkwo’s favorite child?
Ezinma
Ezinma is also Okonkwo’s favorite child, for she understands him better than any of his other children and reminds him of Ekwefi when Ekwefi was the village beauty. Okonkwo rarely demonstrates his affection, however, because he fears that doing so would make him look weak.
What violent acts did Okonkwo commit?
During the Week of Peace, Okonkwo commits the crime of beating his wife. This is his first crime against the earth. As punishment, he is told to make a ritual sacrifice, which he does. A few days before the new year, Okonkwo threatens his second wife Ekwefi with a gun.
What does Okonkwo symbolize?
In ‘Things Fall Apart’, the main character, Okonkwo, is often described in terms of fire and flames – his nickname is even ‘Roaring Flame’ – so, to him, fire symbolizes potential, masculinity, and life. Okonkwo is a lot like a fire, really.
What are the three parts of Things Fall Apart?
The novel Things Fall Apart is divided into three parts, the first is the longest, and the third, the shortest. The first part deals with the vindication of tribal life in Africa and the rise in power and authority of Okonkwo.
What is the conclusion of Things Fall Apart?
At the end of the novel, Okonkwo kills two British messengers and realizes that Umuofia will not go to war. In the last chapter, the District Commissioner arrives at Okonkwo’s compound to discover that Okonkwo has hanged himself.
What is the mood of Things Fall Apart?
Throughout the novel, the mood is usually somber and tragic although there are moments of great celebration and joy during village ceremonies such as weddings and the Week of Peace. The villagers have strong faith and deep beliefs and do not allow any kind of laxness with their customs.
Who is Okonkwo’s favorite wife?
Ekwefi
Though not explicitly stated, we think Ekwefi might be Okonkwo’s favorite wife, just like Ezinma is his favorite daughter.
Why is Ezinma so special to Okonkwo?
Ezinma is the only child of Okonkwo’s second wife, Ekwefi, and she is also Okonkwo’s favorite daughter. Okonkwo feels drawn to Ezinma for her precocious intelligence and her strong will. … In other words, she is the most masculine of Okonkwo’s children, and Okonkwo frequently laments that she was not born a boy.
Why is Okonkwo a bad person?
He beats his wives and doesn’t have a good handle on his emotions. He is driven by fear, and that leads to destructive behavior, like killing Ikemefuna and disowning his oldest son. Okonkwo holds his children to high standards.
What Okonkwo fears most?
Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness. … Instead, Okonkwo suffers from the existential fear that he will not succeed in life and thus end up like his unremarkable father.
What does nwoye symbolize?
Nwoye’s personality was a symbol of Christianity. His father always fought against feminine behavior. His conversion to Christianity was to strengthen the symbol created by Achebe. Okonkwo’s family was his joy and pride, while Nwoye’s conversion to Christianity was the last pain he would endure.
What does ikemefuna symbolize?
In Things Fall Apart, Ikemefuna symbolizes the innocent victims who are unjustly treated by traditional Igbo society before it falls apart. This demonstrates that, while the Igbo culture is rich and complex, it is also brutal and arbitrary.
What is Egwugwu?
According to tradition, any village ancestor who has been buried in the earth returns during an annual ceremony as an egwugwu. In reality, an egwugwu is a clansman wearing a mask representing an ancestor who has come back from the dead.
Who is to blame for Okonkwo’s death?
Okonkwo is responsible for his death because he has remained stagnant while his village and family are changing. His entire life was measured against his father so he never established his own sense of identity — he just wanted to be opposite of his father. With the modernization and evolution…
What are the 4 types of tone in Things Fall Apart?
Clear, Descriptive, Sympathetic toward the Umuofia.
What is Ekwefi’s story?
Ekwefi is Okonkwo’s second wife. Once a village beauty, she ran away from her home and husband to marry Okonkwo. She was smitten with Okonkwo when he beat the notorious Cat in a legendary wrestling match. … Regardless, Ekwefi is the most spirited of Okonkwo’s wives and frequently stands up to him and talks back.
What does Ezinma symbolize?
Ezinma is the main bridge that connects the reader to Okonkwos compassion throughout the story and by doing so she becomes a symbol of hope.