things fall apart
TRANSCRIPT
Things Fall ApartThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebeby Chinua AchebeThings Fall ApartThings Fall Apart
by Chinua Achebeby Chinua Achebe
historical background notes of African Ibo culture as historical background notes of African Ibo culture as
well as themes, setting, characters of the novelwell as themes, setting, characters of the novelhistorical background notes of African Ibo culture as historical background notes of African Ibo culture as
well as themes, setting, characters of the novelwell as themes, setting, characters of the novel
Chinua AchebeChinua AchebeChinua AchebeChinua Achebe
born Nov. 16, 1930born Nov. 16, 1930
Father was Christian minister but other family members Father was Christian minister but other family members
followed traditional Ibo religionfollowed traditional Ibo religion
Things Fall Apart was published in 1958 Things Fall Apart was published in 1958
the novel reflected the post-WWII idea that just as the the novel reflected the post-WWII idea that just as the
Europeans fought against racism in Germany, the British Europeans fought against racism in Germany, the British
colonies in Africa ought to oppose it as wellcolonies in Africa ought to oppose it as well
Achebe was also convinced that only an African could tell the Achebe was also convinced that only an African could tell the
story of Africa, after reading many offensive European novelsstory of Africa, after reading many offensive European novels
Cultural BackgroundCultural BackgroundCultural BackgroundCultural Background
Ibo (Igbo)- Third most populous group in NigeriaIbo (Igbo)- Third most populous group in Nigeria
subsistant farmers - raise crops for their own subsistant farmers - raise crops for their own
consumption - yams traditionally grown by menconsumption - yams traditionally grown by men
traditionally live in villages according to father’s traditionally live in villages according to father’s
fatherfather
prosperous men have 2 or 3 wivesprosperous men have 2 or 3 wives
each wife has her own hut within a family each wife has her own hut within a family
compoundcompound
Ibo cultureIbo cultureIbo cultureIbo cultureancestors are buried in the ancestors are buried in the
land and become spirits who land and become spirits who
participate in the village affairsparticipate in the village affairs
kinship - the support structure kinship - the support structure
within the village built on within the village built on
respect and titlesrespect and titles
Setting of the novelSetting of the novelSetting of the novelSetting of the novelNigeria just after it became a British colony in 1886, there Nigeria just after it became a British colony in 1886, there
was a struggle between traditional beliefs and Christianitywas a struggle between traditional beliefs and Christianity
Umofia and Mbanta - small Umofia and Mbanta - small
Ibo villages located on the Ibo villages located on the
coast of Nigeriacoast of NigeriaThe cultural structure changes as the white man and his The cultural structure changes as the white man and his
ways become more accepted by the villagersways become more accepted by the villagers
Nigeria became independent from Britain in 1960Nigeria became independent from Britain in 1960
CharactersCharactersCharactersCharactersOkonkwo-prosperous farmer, village leader, has three wivesOkonkwo-prosperous farmer, village leader, has three wives
Unoka - Okonkwo’s fatherUnoka - Okonkwo’s father
Nwoye- eldest son of Okonkwo, questions Ibo traditionsNwoye- eldest son of Okonkwo, questions Ibo traditions
Ikemefuna- ‘adopted’ son of OkonkwoIkemefuna- ‘adopted’ son of Okonkwo
Obierika - Okonkwo’s Obierika - Okonkwo’s
closest friendclosest friendEzinma - only surviving daughter of 2nd wife, thought to be ‘evil’ spiritEzinma - only surviving daughter of 2nd wife, thought to be ‘evil’ spirit
Chielo - priestess of Agbala the Oracle for ChuckwuChielo - priestess of Agbala the Oracle for Chuckwu
Uchendu - Okonkwo’s uncleUchendu - Okonkwo’s uncle
District Commisioner - British government representativeDistrict Commisioner - British government representative
Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown - missionariesMr. Smith and Mr. Brown - missionaries
Point of ViewPoint of ViewPoint of ViewPoint of View
Third person omniscient - Third person omniscient -
the narrator shares the the narrator shares the
thoughts and feelings of thoughts and feelings of
many characters, but many characters, but
primarily focuses on primarily focuses on
OkonkwoOkonkwo
ThemesThemesThemesThemesAny culture can benefit from understanding another oneAny culture can benefit from understanding another one
The price of manliness is highThe price of manliness is high
Change is continual and necessaryChange is continual and necessary
Any social value can be destructive if it becomes too importantAny social value can be destructive if it becomes too important
Despite cultural Despite cultural
differences, people must differences, people must
communicatecommunicate
house/drumhouse/drumhouse/drumhouse/drum
masksmasksmasksmasks
Images of Ibo Images of Ibo CultureCulture
Images of Ibo Images of Ibo CultureCulture
photographs from :photographs from :
http://mccoy.lib.siu.edu/jmccall/jones/misc.http://mccoy.lib.siu.edu/jmccall/jones/misc.htmlhtml
ancestral shrineancestral shrine