Notes on "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe

Overview

• Main Character: Okonkwo
  • Wealthy and respected warrior among the Umuofia clan
  • Haunted by his father's cowardly and irresponsible behavior
  • Motivated to become a clan leader, warrior, farmer, and family provider

Family Dynamics

• Okonkwo's Concerns:
  • Worried about the laziness of his 12-year-old son, Nwoye
• Ikemefuna:
  • 15-year-old boy from another tribe, comes to live with Okonkwo's family
  • Okonkwo sees him as an ideal son
  • After three years, Nwoye looks up to Ikemefuna as an older brother

Key Events

• Week of Peace:
  • Okonkwo beats his youngest wife, Ojiugo, for negligence; breaks peace tradition
  • Makes sacrifices for repentance but damages his reputation
• Ikemefuna's Death:
  • Oracle demands Ikemefuna be killed; Okonkwo told not to partake, but he kills him to avoid looking weak
• Okonkwo's Exile:
  • Accidentally kills a clan member's son at a funeral
  • Family exiled for seven years

Life in Exile

• Settlement in Mbanta:
  • Welcomed by his mother's family
  • Builds a new life with their help
• Obierika's Support:
  • Sells Okonkwo's yams and brings him the currency

Arrival of Missionaries

• Mr. Brown: Leader of missionaries, preaches one true God
• Reverend Smith: Takes over after Mr. Brown, more lenient
• Conflicts:
  • Enoch unmasks an egwugwu, leading to the burning of the church

Conflict with Colonial Authorities

• Arrest of Village Leaders:
  • Leaders of Umuofia arrested by the District Commissioner
  • Released eventually
• Final Tragedy:
  • Okonkwo kills a court messenger
  • Realizes clan won't support a war
  • Commits suicide

Epilogue

• District Commissioner's View:
  • Regards Okonkwo's story as a topic for a book titled "The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes"

Conclusion

• The novel explores themes of colonialism, tradition vs. change, and personal vs. societal identity.