Lecture Notes: "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe

Introduction

• Main Character: Okonkwo
  • Wealthy and respected warrior in the Umuofia clan
  • Haunted by his father's irresponsible past
  • Strives to be the opposite of his father

Key Characters

• Okonkwo

  • Warrior, farmer, and provider
  • Concerned about his son Nwoye's perceived laziness

• Nwoye

  • Okonkwo's 12-year-old son
  • Worries Okonkwo due to his laziness

• Ikemefuna

  • 15-year-old boy sent to live with Okonkwo's family
  • Becomes a son-like figure to Okonkwo
  • Killed by Okonkwo to avoid appearing weak

Major Events

• Week of Peace

  • Okonkwo beats his wife, breaking sacred peace
  • Makes sacrifices, but reputation suffers

• Ikemefuna's Death

  • Oracle orders Ikemefuna's death
  • Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna to show strength
  • Causes depression in Okonkwo and distress in Nwoye

• Okonkwo’s Exile

  • Gun accident kills a clan member’s son
  • Okonkwo exiled for seven years
  • Moves to his mother’s village, Mbanta

The Arrival of the Missionaries

• Mr. Brown

  • Introduces Christianity to the villagers
  • Preaches about one true God

• Reverend James Smith

  • Replaces Mr. Brown
  • Allows more freedom for followers

• Conflict with Traditional Beliefs

  • Enoch unmasks an egwugwu
  • Enoch’s house and church are burned
  • District Commissioner reacts by imprisoning village leaders

Climax and Resolution

• Okonkwo's Final Acts

  • Kills court messenger, expecting uprising
  • Realizes clan is not ready for war
  • Commits suicide

• Commissioner's Perspective

  • Considers Okonkwo’s story for a book
  • Views suicide as a sin

Conclusion

• Themes
  • Clash between traditional Igbo society and new colonial influence
  • Personal struggle against societal changes

Additional Notes

• Okonkwo’s troubled relationship with his father influences his actions.
• Nwoye’s transformation and distancing from Okonkwo.
• Symbolism of locusts and the missionaries' arrival.