Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe

4/19/2005

Okonkwo is a warrior and leader in his village in Africa. His community is part of the Nine Villages, and he is respected among them as well. He has been able to buy two titles. He has three wives and many children. His farm is a good producing farm and he has overcome his poverty as a youth to become quite wealthy.

As a man, Okonkwo does not show his feelings. Even when he is proud of a wife, a son, or a daugher, he cannot tell them that. He may do something that indicates his pleasure. His words, though, instead point out the deficiencies of the action, showing humility for himself or ways to improve for those in his family. His oldest son is a special worry for Onkonkwo.

The village has its traditions, its gods, and its beliefs. If the priestess of one of the goddesses wants your daughter to visit the temple in the middle of the night, you let your daughter be taken off by the priestess. If twins are born, they are abandoned outside the village rather than bringing evil upon the clan. If a wrestler does well in the matches against the neighboring villages, he is honored. No person can be harmed during Peace week, even wives or children who may have done wrong.

Then the missionaries and the white men come. Okonkwo's village, family, and life change. The proud warrior now has to deal with a new government and religious beliefs. The old ways are being driven out. Can a proud man like Okonkwo adjust to the changes?

This novel was written about 50 years ago. Yet its theme is everpresent. When a person's society and beliefs are challenged, how does one react? Although this is fiction, the setting is all too real. A mirror is held up to Christians on how devestating their evangelizing could be. As a Christian myself, I felt ashamed of the methods although I agree with the message. How does a person change from the old to the new?

Achebe brings the African village to life. The book meanders around from present to past and back again. Okonkwo is the macho head man that is now despised. He will beat his wives and children if they disobey. He will protect them from outsiders, keeping them safe. He loves his wives, but is brusque with them. He cannot overtly show that love. Yet he was responsible for his family and his village. He maintains a safe home and comes to friends' aid. Achebe shows how the past lifestyle will no longer work. But he also shows how difficult it is for some people to accept the changes.

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