Introduction TFA

Introduction TFA


Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe is the story of Okonkwo, a proud Igbo man which represents the history of Achebe and his culture. Okonkwo represents the very extreme of values of the Igbo culture. Okonkwo’s struggle, both within his community, and with the colonial missionaries who arrive to “civilize” the people of Africa represents Achebe’s own struggle and desire to highlight and celebrate the complexities of Igbo culture but refrain readers from having a romantic nostalgia of life before colonization. 
The personal history of an author has significant influence on the way meaning in constructed in his/her writing as seen by Achebe. Achebe being both a devoted Christian and an Igbo. This has created internal conflict in Achebe as this is shown through his secondary characters such as Mr. Brown, Mr. Smith, Obierika, and Nwoye.


Religion in the book, Things fall apart, is an important aspect as it is the cause of all the conflicts in the book.


Achebe wrote the book in 1958, 2 years before Nigeria got its independence. (Social and historical context)

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