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Things Fall Apart : Background Notes

Chinua Achebe Nigerian. Born among Ibo (or Igbo) people under British rule. Native language Igbo. Missionary school. College in England. Things Fall Apart 1 st novel. Things Fall Apart : Background Notes. Things Fall Apart. Written 1958. Nigerian independence 1960.

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Things Fall Apart : Background Notes

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  1. Chinua Achebe Nigerian. Born among Ibo (or Igbo) people under British rule. Native language Igbo. Missionary school. College in England. Things Fall Apart 1st novel. Things Fall Apart: Background Notes

  2. Things Fall Apart • Written 1958. • Nigerian independence 1960. • Written in English, but with style of Igbo storyteller. • Achebe writing against colonialism, but not idealizing Ibgo culture.

  3. “Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten.” Things Fall Apart and Language • Written in English, not Igbo. Why? • Form is European: a novel. BUT • Igbo elements. • Storytelling style. • Proverbs. • Words, names.

  4. Things Fall Apart • 1807, Britain bans slave trade. • 1885, Britain begins some occupation of Nigeria. • 1900—1960, British rule of Nigeria. • Contact spreads gradually from coast.

  5. Igbo Culture • Social rituals: • Sharing cola nuts, alligator peppers. • Buying titles. • Warfare, wrestling. • Wealth (crops—yams—and cowries).

  6. Igbo Religion • Importance of ancestors. • Importance of family. • Polygamy. • Patriarchal. • Many gods.

  7. Transition from Heroic to Modern Age Epic Hero: • Larger-than-life • Great adventures • Superhuman strength or abilities • Embodies his culture's ideals of a great man

  8. Elements of Tragedy • End of one way of life. • Tragedy: • A noble hero • Meets his downfall • Tragic flaw.

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