Albert Glenn Hudson-Things Fall Apart

Author of Book: Chinua Achebe
Date Read: February 17, 2024

Book Report

Things Fall Apart has sold more than 20 million copies and translated into 57 languages. “A TRUE CLASSIC OF WORLD LITERATURE. A MASTERPIECE THAT HAS INSPIRED GENERATIONS OF WRITERS IN NIGERIA, ACROSS AFRICA, AND AROUND THE WORLD.” -BARACK OBAMA

Why I read this book?
My roommate is from Nigeria. After him seeing me do a delve into the Native American lineage, he tasked me with reading about a similar colonization that took place in his country of Nigeria. I am forever grateful.

Things Fall Apart unfolds in a remote village of Umofia, introducing readers to Okonkwo, a man determined to distinguish himself from his father, who was considered timid and unsuccessful. Okonkwo’s relentless pursuit of strength and success from external powers drives the narrative, showcasing the complexities of his character that even I can relate to in my life.

Set behind the scenes of pre-colonial Nigeria, the author intricately paints a vivid picture of the villages customs and traditions. The novel navigates through Okonkwo’s life, exploring his rise to the top within the community through wrestling victories, hard work, grace, and favor. However, his strength is both his greatest asset and tragic flaw, as it leads to a stiff, unforgiving nature that handicaps his relationships, particularly with his son.

The arrival of European missionaries disrupts the delicate balance of the villages society, exposing fault lines that lead to internal conflicts. The author masterfully captures the clash between tradition and change, portraying the destructive consequences of colonialism on indigenous cultures.

One of the novels thought provoking aspects is Okonkwo’s eventual downfall. As the village world disintegrates under the influence of colonial powers introduction of Christianity, his resistance becomes futile, cultivating a tragic end of suicide due to his unwillingness to submit to change. He felt the European “has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” The author skillfully uses Okonkwo’s fate to prompt readers to ponder the consequences of cultural collision and the erosion of self and cultural identity.

The character of Okonkwo serves as a nucleus for larger themes of cultural resilience and adaptation. This book made me ponder questions about my beliefs, existence, and purpose. How does his internal struggle mirror the broader conflict between tradition and modernity? For me, this is a tough place to be in simply due to the programming that we’ve all been wired to believe since birth. Who is to say that the new way is the better way? Or, if the new way is rooted in truth, and leads to a demise of my former thinking, am I open minded, and do I have a willingness to change?

Can we draw parallels between this villages fate and historical instances of cultural disruption due to colonization? I feel we can because very similar infiltration came by way of Spanish and white settlers when they embarked upon the Native Americans in our country. They used religion, missionaries, and schools to slowly infiltrate, but then used these tools as a controlling manipulating force to obtain power and wealth.

In the end, Things Fall Apart is a rich novel of storytelling that not only captures the essence of pre-colonial village life in Nigeria, but also serves as a profound exploration of the human mindset in the face of cultural change. The author’s narrative encourages readers to dive into the crevices of the characters and themes, leaving a lasting impact on those who journey through the pages of this classic novel.