Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo frequently wishes his daughter Ezinwa was born a boy, because she is the child most able to understand him and his desires for the family. None of his sons have as much desire and ambition to obtain the high level of standing in the village.

Mbanta is less war like. Umuofia is a proud tribe with many strong fighters. Mbanta is much more moderate, and especially respectful of the earth mother.
Umuofia and Mbanta represent the fatherland and the motherland respectively to Okonkwo. Umuofia is a place where he places his ambitions and dreams, and Mbanta is where he runs to when things go disasterously wrong.

Western culture had a significant impact on Nwoye in "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, as he became disillusioned with his father's traditions and converted to Christianity. The arrival of missionaries introduced Nwoye to a new set of beliefs and values that resonated with him, leading to his rejection of his Igbo heritage and eventual estrangement from his family and community. The influence of Western culture on Nwoye ultimately resulted in his transformation and redefinition of his identity.

There are exactly 6 chapters in part 2 of Things Fall Apart.

The tone in "Things Fall Apart" is primarily serious and somber, reflecting the tragic events that unfold in the story. It also conveys a sense of cultural tension and the clash between traditional customs and colonial influences. Additionally, there are moments of nostalgia and introspection throughout the novel.

Both "Jane Eyre" and "Things Fall Apart" explore the impact of religion on society, with "Jane Eyre" focusing on Christianity and "Things Fall Apart" centered on traditional African beliefs. In terms of class-status, both novels depict characters struggling against societal norms and expectations based on their social standing, with Jane Eyre challenging the limitations imposed by her lower class status, while characters in "Things Fall Apart" negotiate their roles within a hierarchical tribal structure.

The tone is that of gradual ascension, but momentary calm. After a large event, it leads you to believe that something big may be coming, but there must be a momentary calm in order to prepare for it.

Some examples of irony in "Things Fall Apart" include the initial description of Okonkwo as a successful and respected warrior who later faces tragedy, as well as the clash between traditional Igbo beliefs and the arrival of European colonizers. Another example is Okonkwo's fear of being perceived as weak like his father, which ultimately leads to his downfall.

In "Things Fall Apart," masculinity is defined by traits such as courage, physical strength, dominance, and the ability to provide for the family. The protagonist, Okonkwo, embodies these qualities and views them as essential to being a respected man in his society. This traditional definition of masculinity is challenged as the story unfolds and Okonkwo's rigid adherence to these values leads to his downfall.

Achebe intends for the audience to have a complex view of Okonkwo. While he is a strong and resilient character, Achebe also showcases his flaws and shortcomings. The aim is to prompt readers to critically analyze Okonkwo's actions and decisions rather than simply like or dislike him.

A counter argument in "Things Fall Apart" could be that the novel presents a one-sided narrative of African culture and fails to fully explore the complexities and diversity of pre-colonial Igbo society. It could also be argued that the depiction of the missionary characters in the novel lacks depth and nuance, portraying them primarily as antagonists without fully exploring their motivations or perspectives.

Some consequences in "Things Fall Apart" include Okonkwo's exile from his village after accidentally killing a clansman, the colonization and introduction of Christianity leading to societal and cultural changes in Igbo society, and Okonkwo's ultimate downfall and suicide due to his inability to adapt to these changes.

Things Fall Apart is not legally available for general use online. However, there may be some libraries and such that offer it online (through Adobe Versions or similar software), but you would need to be a member of said library.

The title "Things Fall Apart" reflects the central theme of the novel by Chinua Achebe, which explores the breakdown of Igbo society due to colonization and the clash of cultures. The title symbolizes the disintegration of traditional values, beliefs, and social structures, especially the protagonist Okonkwo's personal downfall as he grapples with changing times. It also signifies the unraveling of the community's way of life and the loss of cultural identity.

Okonkwo sent 200 cowries (shells used as currency) to Obierika in his last year of exile as a token of his appreciation. Obierika had been a loyal friend to Okonkwo and was supporting him during his exile.

Nwoye's new name symbolizes not only his conversion to Christianity, but also his role as the first son of many who will eventually convert. Isaac was Abraham's first son, with Abraham being the ancestral father of a great nation of Israelites; Nwoye was Okonkwo's first son.

Further, the famous story of Abraham and Isaac called upon Abraham to sacrifice his son to god. Isaac's brush with death, was much like Nwoye being cast out of his family, and being treated as dead by his father. Nwoye is reborn as a Christian with a new name.

Obierika tells Okonkwo that the Ibo could not regain control over Abame because the white men had a powerful "medicine" called the Maxim gun, which had the ability to kill multiple people at once from a great distance. This made it virtually impossible for the Ibo to defeat the white men in battle.

In "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, abusive behaviors include physically beating one's wives, displaying excessive anger and aggression towards family members, neglecting one's responsibilities as a parent or spouse, and showing a lack of empathy or respect towards others. Additionally, imposing one's will forcefully on others and denying their agency can also be seen as abusive behaviors in the context of the novel.

Akunna is a clan leader of Umuofia who argues religion with Mr. Brown. In doing so, the two men learn from each other. Akunna develops parallels between his religion and the Christian religion, formulating an articulate defense of the Igbo's religion. He influences Mr. Brown to not attack their religion directly, but instead to appeal to the two religions' common aspects when converting.

Nothing awakens Okonkwo at the beginning of chapter 2.

Okonkwo has not yet gone to sleep at the beginning of chapter 2. However, Okonkwo is alerted by the ogene of the town crier, alerting him of a town meeting the next day, and informing him of some tragedy, by the crier's tone of voice.

The land case is a court case which is taken to the white court by two tribesman. The white court is corrupt and rules in favour of the tribesman who has bribed them; the decision is against clan rules.

The last musing is meant to show the callousness of the commissioner about the culture of the Igbo. It shows that the white men in power do not understand or even care for the Igbo culture; they only care about how to subdue and subvert the Igbo to their own goals.

Okonkwo was upset with his son Nwoye for not meeting his expectations of being strong, masculine, and ambitious like himself. He viewed Nwoye as weak and unmanly, which was a source of great disappointment for him.

During the second year of exile, Okonkwo's friend Obierika came to visit him. Obierika came to inform Okonkwo about the destruction of their village, Abame, by a white man's messenger. He also brought news about the hardships faced by the clan due to the presence of missionaries in their land.