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Early years: • Chinua Achebe was born in 1930, in Eastern Nigeria. His family belonged to the Igbo tribe. British representatives that controlledNigeria convinced his parents to abandon their traditional religion and follow Christianity. Achebe was brought up as a Christian, but he remained curious about the more traditional Nigerian faiths. He graduated from the University College at Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1954.
Dissatisfaction with western writers • Achebe was unhappy with books about Africa written by British authors such as Joseph Conrad because he felt the descriptions of African people were inaccurate and insulting. He composed his first novel, Things Fall Apart(1959), the story of a traditional warrior hero who is unable to adapt to changing conditions in the early days of British rule.
Biafra • 1966: numerous Igbos killed in N Nigeria, where they had migrated in order to engage in commerce • Biafra existed from 1967 to 1970 • Established by Igbos who felt they could not survive within Nigeria. • Fighting between Nigeria and Biafra broke out in July, 1967. • One million Biafrans died as a result of severe malnutrition.
Achebe: Political activist • During the years when Biafra attempted to break itself off as a separate state from Nigeria (1967–70) Achebe served as an ambassador to Biafra. He traveled to different countries discussing the problems of his people, especially the starving and slaughtering of Igbo children. He wrote articles for newspapers and magazines about the Biafran struggle.
Pre-colonial Igbo Political Organization: • Clan members held titles they earned • Respected because of their accomplishments • They were not revered as kings or chiefs. • Performed special functions given to them by their assemblies, not to make laws.
Without a judicial authority the Igbo settled matters of law by taking an oath to a god. If the accused died within a certain amount of time, he was guilty.
The Igbo are a religious people who believe in a benevolent creator usually known as Chukwu.
The Igbo believe in the concept of Ofo and Ogu, which is a governing law of retributive justice. So that if you are innocent you will be protected. In addition, each person is considered to have their own personal god or Chi which is credited for both good and bad luck.
There is a strong belief that the spirits of one’s ancestors keep a constant watch over the living, and must be placated through prayer
Setting: The novel is set during the late 1800s/early 1900s in a small village, Umuofia. Umuofia is an Igbo village with very well defined traditions. It is a village that is respected by those around it as being powerful and rich.
Each person has a hut or obi that is located in the center of a compound. Each of the wives has a separate obi with a shed for goats and an attached chicken coop.
The main occupation of the men is sowing and growing yams since yams are considered the most important crop. The women grew less significant crops like coco-yams, beans and cassava.
Main Characters in Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo • An ambitious leader of the Igbo clan. • Farmer as well as a wrestler. • Still only in his thirties, he has three wives and several children who all live in their own homes in his village compound. • Resolved to erase the stigma left on him by his father’s laziness and is very successful growing yams. • Treated with admiration and respect. • Okonkwo is a man of action.
Obierika Okonkwo’s close friend, he helps him with the crops during his period of exile, and keeps him informed of the radical changes taking place in the village. He is a thoughtful man, who questions the traditions of society. He is also Madukaand Ekuke’sfather.
Ekwefi Okonkwo’s second wife, she is the mother of Ezinma, her only living child, whom she will do anything for even if that means defying tradition
Ezinma Ekwefi and Okonkwo’s daughter, she is born after many miscarriages and is loved and pampered by her mother. She has a special relationship with Chielo, the woman who acts as the voice of Agbala, the Oracle. Okonkwo is fond of her and often wishes that ‘she were a boy.
Nwoye Okonkwo’s son from his first wife. He is a sensitive young man who, much to his father’s dismay, joins the Christian missionaries.
IkemIefuna A boy who is bought as hostage from Mbaino, and who lives with Okonkwo for three years. He is a clever and resourceful young man yet comes to an unfortunate end.
Chielo The priestess of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and Caves, who carries Ezinma on her back to the caves, saying that Agbala wants to see her.
Uchendu Okonkwo’s maternal uncle with whom he spends seven years of his exile, along with his family.
What is ethnocentrism? Ethnocentrism is the belief that your culture is superior to other cultures.
