Assignment topic:

Subject: post colonial literature

Submitted by: Rida
BS English 8th semester
Roll no 16001
Submitted to: Ma’am Anila
Introduction:
Chinua Achebe's novel, "Things Fall Apart" is a soft manifestation of how imperial forces
recklessly penetrated into the wilderness of native Africa.
Background:
Things Fall Apart takes place in the 1890s in Igbo villages in Nigeria. At this time, the British
are colonizing Nigeria. Missionaries arrive as part of the takeover, and Britain imposes a legal
system to assist them in converting villagers to Christianity. The Igbo are the last group to be
converted because their culture is both prosperous and democratic. Achebe highlights the nature
of a well-functioning culture and the loss that occurs in the inevitable progress of colonialism.
Brief Summary
THINGS FALL APART tells two overlapping, intertwining stories, both of which center around
Okonkwo, a “strong man” of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first of these stories traces
Okonkwo's fall from grace with the tribal world in which he lives, and in its classical purity of
line and economical beauty it provides us with a powerful fable about the immemorial conflict
between the individual and society. The second story, which is as modern as the first is ancient,
and which elevates the book to a tragic plane, concerns the clash of cultures and the destruction
of Okonkwo's world through the arrival of aggressive, proselytizing European missionaries.
These twin dramas are perfectly harmonized, and they are modulated by awareness capable of
encompassing at once the life of nature, human history, and the mysterious compulsions of the
soul. THINGS FALL APART is the most illuminating and permanent monument we have to the
modern African experience as seen from within. "
Overview:
Okonkwo's Rise to Fame
Okonkwo, the protagonist. Okonkwo is well respected in his village, Umuofia, one of nine
villages of his clan. He gained that respect by winning a wrestling match against the undefeated
champion. Since then, Okonkwo has become wealthy, marrying three wives and fathering
several children. His success contrasts with the failures of his father, a musician and fun-loving
gentle man but also an alcoholic slacker in debt to his entire community. Okonkwo is ashamed of
his father and is driven to be fierce and masculine, unlike his parent.
Okonkwo's Exile to Mbanta
Okonkwo moves to his mother’s native village after he is exiled for an accidental murder. During
this period, he learns about the attack of the white missionaries and conversion of some of his
people to Christianity. His son also converts and as a result, Okonkwo disowns him. The
Europeans came and penetrated in the social, religious, economic and political life of the natives.
They preached openly against the native faith and beliefs. Okonkwo felt like a caged tiger.
Okonkwo's Return to Umuofia
Okonkwo returns from exile with hopes of reclaiming a position of power in Umuofia, but
Umuofia has changed drastically since the arrival of the Europeans. He calls a meeting to discuss
war against the white men. A man who sacrificed his own family for dignity would never bow
before the enemy. During the meeting, court messengers approach to disperse the crowd. In
reaction, Okonkwo kills one of them. The most unexpected thing happens at this time when his
fellow men do nothing and let the other messengers run away. Now he realizes that his people
are never going for a war.
Soon the District Commissioner and an armed band arrive at Okonkwo's compound to arrest
him. Obierika solemnly informs them that Okonkwo is not there and leads the group to where
Okonkwo has hanged himself. Suicide is an abomination in their religion, and Okonkwo's friends
cannot touch his body. They must rely on the soldiers to bury him. Furiously, Obierika rebukes
the District Commissioner for destroying "one of the greatest men in Umuofia." As he walks
away, the District Commissioner reflects that Okonkwo's story might be worth including in a
book he is writing, which will be called The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower
Niger.

The end