Things Fall Apart

1. Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

2. Chinua Achebe is one of the most well-known contemporary African writers. Born 1930

3. Many of his novels and short stories are based in Nigeria, Africa. Many of his characters are members of the Igbo (Ibo) tribe.

4. Written in English; Translated into more than 50 languages

5. Map of Africa

6. Nigeria

8. . Things Fall Apart (written in 1958)deals with the clash of cultures and the violent transitions in life and values brought about by British colonialism in Nigeria in late 1800s.

9. Colonialism • A system by which a country (like Great Britain) maintains foreign colonies (like Nigeria) in order to exploit them economically. • The domineering country usually feels superior to the “natives” in all ways and often forces its customs and religion upon them.

10. The novel recounts the life of the village hero Okonkwo and describes the arrival of white missionaries in Nigeria and their impact on traditional Igbo society during the late 1800s.

11. Things Fall Apart includes Western linguistic forms and literary traditions with Igbo words and phrases, proverbs, fables, tales, and other elements of African oral and communal storytelling traditions.

12. Significance of TFA • Shows rich, positive view of African culture • Gives Africans a vision of their past • Different from typical African novel told from European point of view • Precursor to pluralism • Affirmation and acceptance of diversity • Title implies cultural breakdown is not limited to Ibo society; it is universal • To refuse to accept change is to be destroyed by it

13. Significance of TFA • Shows rich, positive view of African culture • Gives Africans a vision of their past • Different from typical African novel told from European point of view • Precursor to pluralism • Affirmation and acceptance of diversity • Title implies cultural breakdown is not limited to Ibo society; it is universal • To refuse to accept change is to be destroyed by it

14. Plot Summary • The main character, Okonkwo, is a great man who has achieved much in his life. • He is a champion wrestler, a wealthy farmer, a husband to three wives, a title-holder among his people. • His success is driven by the fear of becoming like his father (poor and cowardly)

15. The society’s order is disrupted, however, with the appearance of the white man in Africa and with the introduction of his religion (Christianity).

16. "The conflict of the novel, shown in Okonkwo, derives from the series of crushing blows which are leveled at traditional valuesby an alien and more powerfulculture causing, in the end, the traditional society to fall apart," (G.D. Killam).

17. Key Terms Brideprice Obi Kola Manslaughter Cowrie shells Palm oil Polygamy Chi Yams Foo foo Evil Forest Umuofia Ibo Oracle Ilo Alligator pepper Harmattan Priestess

18. Quotations • Okonkwo knew how to kill a man's spirit." •  "Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength.“ • "No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and children (and especially his women) he was not really a man.“ • "A man could not rise above the destiny of his chi. The saying of the elders was not true - that if a man said yea his chi was also affirmed. Here was a man whose chi said nay despite his own affirmation."

19. Ibo or Igbo • The name of a tribe of people in Nigeria

20.  "I am Evil Forest. I kill a man on the day that his life is sweetest to him.

21. Alligator pepper • It is a common ingredient in West African cuisine where it imparts both 'heat', 'pungency' and a spicy aroma to classic West African 'soups' (stews). • Ground and blended with kola nut in a ritual to welcome visitors

23. White chalk • Symbol of peace. Also used to signify personal honors and status.

24. Chinua Achebe akaAlbert Chínụ̀álụmọ̀gụ̀ Àchèbé) • Achebe is a social novelist who believed in the social potency of literature • Ibo childhood but university educated • Taught at several universities in Nigeria, Massachusetts, and Connecticut • Paralyzed from auto accident • Since 2009, he has been the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

25. Nigerian Politics • 1914 Nigeria is created as a political entity • 1861: Official British control • 1866: Nigeria becomes separate British colony • British traded in palm oil; missionaries converted • Colonialism was ending when TFA was published • Nigeria gained independence in 1960

26. "Every day I tell you that jigida and fire are not friends. But you will never hear. You grew your ears for decoration, not for hearing. One of these days your jigida will catch fire on your waist, and then you will know." (Akueke's mother) Jigida beads: worn around the waist

27. Bride Price Common in many African cultures; the bridegroom’s family pays in cash or goods for the privilege of marrying a young woman. Dowry (a European custom) – opposite – woman’s family pays for man to marry her.

29. Obi Large living quarters for the man.

30. Umuofia A village of the Ibo

31. Kola A bean, a stimulant like tea or coffee. Served on most social occasions.

32. Manslaughter Unlawful killing without the intent to kill (accidental). A Female Crime

33. Cowrie shells A sea shell, used as a form of money. The village’s distance from the sea makes them rare enough to use as money.

34. Palm oil Rich yellow oil pressed from fruit of palm trees. Used for fuel & cooking.

35. Palm oil comes from palm nuts which are harvested by climbing high up in palm trees.   Palm wine is also tapped in the same area on the tree.  Palm wine tappers make holes in the tree at the base of the male flower.   Using funnels made of palm leaves the tappers collect the palm wine as it drips from the tree into gourds that they hang from the palm fronds.

37. Polygamy The practice or condition of having more than one spouse, esp. wife, at one time.

38. Chi A person’s personal spirit (usually in the form of a wooden idol) Like a guardian angel

39. Yam sweet potato-- In some African cultures it was used as currency

40. Storage of yams

41. foo foo a dough-like West African dish of boiled and ground plantain, yam, or cassava, made into balls to go with soups or stews.

42. cassava

43. Evil Forest Superstitious natives believe that evil spirits lurk in the mysterious forest Twins are left to die in the Evil Forest. Uchendu is taken here to die after he gets the “swelling sickness.”

44. harmattan Dust-laden winds originating in the desert. Usually last 3-5 days. Dusty haze usually blocks out the sun, reduces temperatures and visibility.

46. oracle • A person believed to be in communication with a deity (god or gods)

47. The oracle of the cave

48. ilo • The village green, where assemblies for sports, discussions, etc., take place

49. ekwe • Ekwe - Two-pitch Ibo log drum. Available in two types of hardwood (yellow or red). Played with either a plain straight wood stick or a rubber-tipped short beater similar to a large balafon or Alo (long gong-bell) mallet. These log drums are found in the eastern part of Nigeria. Larger Ekwes are usually played with two sticks, while smaller ones are usually played with only one stick.