© 2023 JETIR May 2023, Volume 10, Issue 5 www.jetir.

org (ISSN-2349-5162)

Critical Evaluation of Chinua Achebe’s novel,

“Things Fall Apart”
Mr. Rabichandan Kumar
M.A. in English
(UGC NET- JRF)

Abstract : This study has been undertaken to evaluate the postcolonial novel, “Things Fall Apart” on various
scales. Chinua Achebe holds a unique place in the domain of English Literature on account of championing
the plight of the marginalized and downtrodden people of Africa. In fact, He is instrumental in exposing the
injustice, atrocities and brutality meted out to the people of Africa by colonial rulers in general and Britishers
in particular. As Chinua Achebe’s upbringing was multicultural so he had knowledge of the Bible as well as
that of the native Igbo Culture. In Fact, the central theme of the novel is the disintegration of African culture
as a result of European Missionaries meddling in the affairs of the native Africa. Disintegration and collapse
in the cultural values of Igbo people was not only on individual level but also on social level. Those who got
converted to Christianity usually developed a kind of superiority complex. They looked at the culture of his
own native people rather contemptuously. They addressed the native people as people of nothing. This
cultural conflict between the natives and the new converts and the Missionaries turns out to be the central
theme of the novel. It does not mean that all African natives approved of their own culture. They found
loopholes in their own cultures. No doubt, the protagonist of the novel, Okhonkwo appears to be hell bent
upon defending and eulogizing African culture but there are natives whose attitudes towards native culture is
quite critical, for example the Elder man advises Okonkwo not to be present or take part in the killing of
Ikemefuna so it is not the fault of the native culture. It is the fault of an individual who out of sheer disgust of
any kind of weakness in himself. Hence, the Disintegration of Cultural Values is no doubt central to the main
theme of the novel. This clash is not only on an individual level but also on social level. The image of the
Disintegration of Cultural Values is no doubt central to the main theme of the novel. As it contributes
handsomely to the title of the novel.
Key Terms -Atrocities, Colonial rulers, Disintegration, Igbo Culture, Missionaries Multicultural,
Postcolonial

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I. INTRODUCTION
“Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.”
-W.B. Yeats, “The Second Coming”
The title of the novel, “Things Fall Apart” is actually based on an extract from W.B. Yeats’ poem ‘The Second
Coming” as mentioned previously. The story of the novel revolves around its main character, Okonkwo. In
fact, it is concerned quite well with his rise as well as his fall. His well-cherished cultural values known as
Igbo culture which is so dear to the natives and the hero of the novel, crumble into pieces one by one after the
arrival of the White Christian Missionaries. Coming under their impact, their cultural values undergo
transformation. So disintegration of cultural values of Igbo society is also central to the theme of the novel.
As it is evident after going through the entire novel that disintegration in the cultural values of the natives
starts with the arrival of the Christian Missionaries. First of all, they resort to persuasive methods to change
the mind of the natives. Success comes to them quite soon. One of the victims of their persuasive methods is
the family of Okonkwo. It plays a vital role in the disintegration of the family. The new faith which Christian
Missionaries preach isolates the son (Nwoye) from his father (Okonkwo). The Missionaries attack the wrong
beliefs of the people. Some of the native feels quite convinced and so embrace the new faith. They find a
kind of solace in it. Christian Missionaries strive hard to eradicate the evils rooted in Igbo Culture. They
succeed in exposing the anarchic tendencies in Igbo society whose best embodiment is Okonkwo.
The novel is not only concerned with the collapse of cultural values of the Igbo with society
but also is concerned with the rise and fall of an individual who represents that culture rather staunchly and
assiduously. He adheres to the cultural values of his banishment without any murmur of complaint. The initials
chapters of the novel are concerned with the growth and rise of this man. Even at a tender age of eighteen ,
he brings great honor to the village by defeating a wrestler of high repute, undefeated for many years. No
doubt, he is a man of few words but a man of action. His quality of courage and bravery is not limited to his
physique alone, his courage of mind is equally praiseworthy. At the time od drought he exhibits signs of
courage and good understanding by borrowing hundred yams from Nwakibie, a wealthy farmer and by making
good use of them. So the beginning of the novel centers around the rise and achievements of Okonkwo but
the same man gradually becomes the symbol of anarchy. No doubt, he along with his cultural values is in a
position of making boastful claims at the outset of the novel but with the arrival of Christian Missionaries,
there is decline and devaluation of the cultural values. Achebe by presenting such a picture not only holds
Okonkwo and some of the evils of Igbo culture responsible for the disintegration and collapse but also tries
to communicate the message that the White Missionaries were also responsible for destruction of the
indigenous culture of Africa.

II. SOCIAL & CULTURAL ASPECT OF THE NOVEL

While narrating the story of Okonkwo and other characters of the novel, Achebe mirrors their social and
cultural condition as well. The first scene indicates their deep interest in sportive events. A wrestling match
whose hero is Okafo is watched by Umuofians with deep interest. In fact, Ekwefi, the second wife of Okonkwo
gets attracted towards Okonkwo whom the had rejected earlier due to his poor connection. Being impressed
by the heroic deed of Okonkwo, she bids farewell to her husband and comes to the Obi (cottage) of Okonkwo
to be his life partner. When visitors come, they are welcomed with kola a stimulant like tea or coffee. When
Okoye, a friend of Unoka comes to him to get his money back, he is first greeted with Kola. We also come to
know that Umofians were music lover. Both Okoye and Unoka are lovers of music. A study of the novel gives

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us hint that the agriculture was the main source of income and livelihood. They used to keep wooden symbols
of God and Goddess in shrine who, they used to worship by making offering of Kola nut and food and palm
wine. We see Okonkwo doing all those things. He also offers prayer on behalf of himself, his three wives and
eight children. Even his father Unoka used to consult the Oracle of Hills and caves to know the reasons of
miseries and failures in life. He says his offerings go in vain. He is informed by the priestess that the reasons
for his constant failures is his idleness and his laziness. The poor man dies as a result of swelling which is
considered to be abomination to the Earth Goddess. A man suffering from such disease was not allowed to
die in his house. So, he is carried to the evil forest and deserted to die there. Umuofian society is also depicted
as reposing great faith in the Oracle of the hills and caves. Before doing anything of great importance like
going to war , they were in the habit of consulting Oracles of the Hills and Caves.
During the week of peace, Umuofians do nothing but drink palm wine. Ojiugo, the
youngest wife of Okonkwo goes to her friend’s house to get her hair interlaced without
preparing food. When she returns back she is severely beaten by Okonkwo. As in the eyes of the goddess of
Earth named, Ezeani was an unpardonable offence so Okonkwo is scolded. Okonkwo has to make sacrifices
of one she she-goat, one hen, a length of cloth and a hundred cowries also to pacify deity. To die during the
week of peace was considered to be a coarse, a man who died during such week was not only disowned but
also thrown into the evil forest. The festival of the New Yam was an occasion of feast and enjoyment. It was
also an occasion of thanks giving to Ani, the Earth Goddess. Nothing was consumed before making offering
of the same to her. It was an occasion of great festivity and celebration. Houses were decorated and wrestling
matches were organized. Not only men but also women were extremely fond of watching wrestling matches.
Ikemefuna lived in the house of Okonkwo for three years. During that time he became the darling
of the whole family. Especially Okonkwo’s son Nwoye developed fascination for him. In the company
Ikemefuna, he underwent some healthy transformation. He became manly. One day Ogbuefi Ezeugo informs
Oknkwo that according to the wish Oracle of the Hills and Caves Ikemefuna must be killed Nwoye and his
mother are shocked . Even Okonkwo is reminded not to take part in killing of Ikemefuna. Ikemefuna and
some of the Umuofians set out for a journey next day. Ikemefuna is asked to carry the pot of wine. Okonkwo
also accompanies him. One of the Umuofians directs Ikemefuna not to look back seeing a man coming towards
him with a sword in his hand with intention to kill him, Ikemefuna cries for help and runs towards Okonkwo.
To his utter surprise, it is Okonkwo who cuts the boy down with his matchet. He does so to save himself from
being called weak hearted and womanly.
Okonkwo gets so depressed after killing Ikemefuna that he does not taste food for two days.
Ezinma, the daughter of his second wife comes to his rescue she makes him eat something. Okonkwo feels
forced to to his friend’s house for solace and relief. Even Obierika does not approve of his role in Ikemefuna’s
assassination. He says that his act must have caused pain to Goddess Earth. In fact, this heinous act of
Okonkwo considered to be as bad as killing of a kinsman. It is a grave sin in Igbo culture. His violation of
tribal law sullies his reputation tarnishes his crime. It also damages his relationship with his son. His son’s
allegiance to the Igbo society and its culture gets all the more damaged. He starts questioning some practices
of Igbo society. After meeting his friend Obierika, Okonkwo feels relieved and is able to sleep.
A public trial is held to decide the case of a husband and his estranged wife. It is
attended by nine clan leader including Okonkwo. They represent the nine villages. They are known as
‘egwugwu’. There was a quarrel between the husband and his wife. The wife was mercilessly beaten. In sheer
anger, she left her husband’s house and started in the house of her brother. Her husband wants her back. It is
decided by the ‘egwugwu’ that the husband should go to his in-laws with wine and beg his wife to come to
live with him. One of the members of the committee opines that such a meeting for such a trivial thing should
not be called.
Chielo informs Ekwefi that Agbala (Oracle of the hills and
caves) wants to see her daughter Ezinma. Both Ekwefi and Okonkwo protest but without any positive
result.Even Okonkwo does not like to disobey Chielo so, Ezinma who is quite terrified is taken by Chielo
on on her back to the shrine of th Oracle. As Ezinma’s safety is involved , so Ekwefi, follows Chielo rather
secretly. Because she has been advised not to follow them. So, she waits at the entrance gate where Okonkwo

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also arrives . He assures his wife that no harm will be done to their daughter. Chielo will bring her back to
them. The next morning Chielo comes with Ezinma and hands her over to her mother Ekwefi.
Ogbuefi Ezeudu is one of the elders of Umuofia with three covetous titles dies As he belongs
to a highly respectable famity. So his funeral is solemnized with great fanfare by the Umuofians. At his
funeral, Okonkwo’s gun misfires and the son of the departed soul is accidently killed. As this accidental killing
of a sixteen year old boy is regarded as a crime against Goddess of the Earth. So, Okonkwo, along with his
other family members exiled for seven tears. After his departure from Umuofia, some Umuofians destroy
Okonkwo’s compound and kill his animals. Okonkwo along with his three wives and eleven children reach
Mabanta, the native village of Okonkwo,’ mother. His maternal uncle whose name is Uchendu welcomes him
and his family members wholeheartedly. Okonkwo is given a piece of land to build his farm and compound
for himself and his family. In this respect, he is also helped by his cousins. Okonkwo blames his Chi
(Individual ‘s luck) for his failure in his life.
He rues his present status considering his dignified past. He works along with his family on the new Farm but
without earlier vigor and enthusiasm. He feels like a fish out of water. Uchendu tries his best to effect a healthy
and positive change in Okonkwo’s thinking.
There takes place a marriage ceremony in the house of Uchendu. The youngest son of
Uchendu’s five sons whose name is, Amikwu is going to marry a new wife. The bride price has already been
paid. The final ceremony of confession is likely to take place. The daughters of the family and kiths and kins
of Uchendu are present. The bride I given a place in the center holding a hen in her right hand. Uchendu’
eldest daughter asks the birde whether she has slept with any man before her brother proposed her. When the
bride answer negatively Amikwu takes her inside his hut and she becomes his wife. Marriages were
considered to be pompous affairs and the status of the groom’s family was judged by the number of wine-
pots they brought. It also provided an occasion of joy. Dishes were served. The musicians sang the latest
popular songs. On the second day of the marriage Uchendo calls not only his sons and daughter but also
Okonkwo. He advises Okonkwo not to feel so sorrowful and melancholic for being cast out of the clan. He
further tells him to feel comfortable there because he in his mother land. He also speaks few words of wisdom
that a man belongs to his father’s land when things are good to him but when there is sorrow and bitterness
in his life he likes to come to his mother who provides him protection. He talks about his suffering of the past .
He says once he had six wives and had buried twenty two oh his children. He actually asks Okonkwo to
endure his present sufferings with a cheerful heart.
In the second year of Okonkwo ‘s exile Obierika comes to Okonkwo to provide him
timely relief by giving him bags full of cowries. He also informs him about the arrival of the White people .
When the people of the village consulted the Oracle, they were told that their arrival would lead to their
destruction, so, the White man and their followers surrounded the market and wipe out the whole clan of that
locality. The far-sighted Uchendo is also of the view that the intrusion of the White man will cause immense
harm to them.
Two years later Obierika revisits Okonkwo and acquaints him with all that was
happening in Umofia, He tells him about the church being built and people’s attraction towards Christianity.
He also tells him about young generation’s leaning towards the new religion. The missionaries also reach
Mbanta to preach Christianity. They do that with the help of an interpreter. Whenever a Whiteman fails to
provide a convincing answer
To the question posed by the natives, he starts singing hymns. These hymns have a soothing impact on the
minds of youngsters. Some of them like Nwoye express desire to get rid of some of the loathsome traditional
practices of their ancestors. Definitely, there is no rationality in throwing twins to evil forest to die there. And
There is no logic in discarding people having swelling in their bodies to evil forest to die there.
The Head of Mbanta is asked by the missionaries to give them a piece of land in the evil forest
under the impression that they will get killed within 28 days. But when nothing of the sort happens even after
twenty eight days, the missionaries succeed in winning some new converts to their fold, such as Okonkwo’s
son Nwoye and Nneka, the wife of Amadi. Hearing all these things from his friend Obierika, Okonkwo loses
his temper and takes vow to teach the missionaries a lesson. When Nwoye confronts his father, he has to face

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the wrath of his father, He gives his son a shabby treatment . Nwoye leaves his house forever . Okonkwo
becomes all the more furious . He decides to wipe out the whole gang of these missionaries. The natives of
Mbanata and other villages never expected that the missionaries and their church would survive there for long.
But that did not happen. They went on becoming stronger and stronger. So, there ensued conflicts and clashes
between the church people and the natives. Some converts were beaten mercilessly, To protect their followers
as wel as themselves , the Whtites set up a government of their own. Those who got converted to Christianity
mostly wee the outcasts of Mbanta. This was opposed by the earlier converts. They were pacified. By Mr.
Kiaga, a convert by saying that all are children of God, there is no slave nor any master. With this increase in
number of converts, the native got so disgusted that they decide to ostracize and outlaw all of them. Okonkwo
wanted to chase them out of the village with whips but could not gain much support.
When seven year’s exile of Okonkwo was dragging to a close, he arranged a feast to pay due respect and
show good gesture of gratitude to his kinsmen. On this occasion the old man of the village while thanking
Okonkwo also made a reference to the increasing power of the missionaries and their religion. He made a
prediction that it would affect the younger generation very badly. After seven years’ exile in Mbanta when
Okonkwo returns back to Umuofia he realizes that a great change has occurred there. A kind of respect which
he once enjoyed is no longer there. He feels frustrated. Even Ogbuefi Ugonna who possessed two titles , gets
converted. He finds lack of unity among his own people. The White men not only build a court they also
construct prison houses Whoever is faund guilty of breaking White man’s law is harshly punished. When
Okonkwo asks Obierika to help him drive the White men out of Umuofia, He gets a reply from his friend that
it is too late. He frankly admits that Umuofia is no longer united. So, when Okonkwo makes his return back
to Umuofia he feels isolated and alienated from his own people. Hios own people do no feel so strongly
against the white people as he does. The White men have built a trading a trading store, hospital, schools for
benefit of all. Some of the natives likes such developmental work. Mr. Brown, the white missionary was quite
practical and a man of liberal attitude. First of all, he tried to get closer to the natives. He paid visit to one of
the influential persons of the village named, Akunna and took him in confidence. He agreed to send his son
to his school. Some others also did exactly the same. Through Akunna he came to know a lot of the beliefs
and practices of Igbo culture. He convinced him that his religion was devoid of such evil practices as found
in Igbo culture. Other people also started taking advantage of the facilities provided by the missionaries. The
number of Church goers., churches, also increases. Mr. Brown also tried to meet Okonkwo but was driven
out with warnings of graver kind if he did try to meet again. Okonkwo could do nothing but grieve at the
losses he suffered. The conversion of his own son and the idea of cultural loss of the clan proved to be quite
heart- rendering for him. He mourned for his clan which was falling apart.
Mr. Brown’s replacement by James Smith added fuel to the fire. He was very strict and a man of
un compromising nature. He openly condemned the lenient policies of Mr. Brown. In his opinion, God’s
kingdom was no open to all. It was meant for the meritorious and truly devoted. He suspended a woman from
the church service for a minor mistake. He was truly a colonialist. He quite often incited his own people
especially the converts against the natives. Enoch, the son of the snake priest and an overenthusiastic covert
helped him quite a lot, in making his plan a success. Mr. Smith’s intolerant activities made him quite
unpopular. He insisted on complete adherence to Biblical precepts and commandments. Being influenced by
his words and statement, some of the over enthusiastic converts started casting aspersion on Igbo culture. This
resulted in clashes between them and the natives. Enoch was beaten. His compound was destroyed. The village
elders had earlier restrained from any confrontation even if the were provoked. For example when Enoch
killed the royal python they left the matter between him (killer) and the God. But when their ancestral spirit
was unmasked and killed they realized themselves for any kind of eventuality. They asked Mr. Smith to leave
the place immediately . They were so furious that they burnt the church. Okonkwo was quite happy with this
change in the attitude of his clan. All this took place in absence of Mr. Smith.
When the District Commissioner, came back from his tour, he asked the leaders of Umuofia to come to him
to discuss the case of burning of the church “As Friends”. To their utter surprise, no sooner had they put their
matchets on the floor than a group of soldiers came forward and arrested them. They were handcuffed and
thrown into jail. There they had to face a great deal of inconvenience and insults. They were to be released on

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bail. If they fail to pay the fine on time, they had to call an emergency meeting to decide how to pay the fine
by next day.
Although Okonkwo was deeply hurt at this trickery od the district
commissioner and court house agents who carried out his orders, yet he was not in position to launch attack
on the missionaries their goons inside the prison house. It was rumored that the prisoners had already been
taken to Umuru to be hanged there. So, the penalty was paid without much delay. The prisoners returned back
with such brooding looks that their own kiths and kins had no heart to welcome them. Obierika noticed whips
marks on the back of Okonkwo. Next day another meeting comprising the leaders and men of all the nine
villages was held early in the morning. Okonkwo was in war like mood but he failed to gain support. The
comment of the first speaker at the meeting quietened the completely and he said that his own people were no
longer with them. It was foolish to fight against his own people. He further warned them by saying that
fighting the White men would tantamount to committing suicide. While the meeting was going on five court
messengers arrived and asked for the dispersal of the meeting. Out of sheer retaliation Okonkwo killed the
Head of the court messengers with his matchet and asked his own people to join him in his fight against the
Whites. But instead of gaining support he faced criticism at the hands of his own people. Okonkwo was now
completely isolated. He was in fact, so helpless and dejected that he committed suicide.
At the very end of the novel, we find the District
Commissioner in compound of Okonkwo with armed band of soldiers. He asks for Okonkwo finding the
people there reluctant, he warns them of dire consequences. Then Obierika brings him to the spot where
Okonkwo had committed suicide. They find Okonkwo’s dead body dangling with a tree. Obierika asks the
District Commissioner and his men to bring the dead body of Okonkwo down and bury him . He also says
that they can not touch his body because it has become untouchable. Committing suicide in Igbo society
according to him is an offence against the Earth Goddess. So, no Can’s man will ever touch his body, he also
admits that Okonkwo was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. He also complains that Whites drove him to
such a state (pathetic) that he felt forced to commit suicide. The commissioner is not at all moved he orders
for the burial of the dead body and ponders over the whole episode and concludes that Okonkwo’s death will
make an interesting paragraph or two if not an entire chapter of his next book with its title as ‘The Pacification
of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger’.

III. CLASH OF CUNTURE IN THE NOVEL

No doubt, “Things Fall Apart” is approached in terms of clash between the two ideologies, one traditional and
the other modern and racial. Leading to the systematic crumbling of values of the native. African culture and
replacement of it by European culture. The best example of this impact were the parents of Chinua Achebe
and Achebe himself who also embraced Christianity. So, the arrival of Europeans sounded a death knell to
the traditional cultural values of Africa. As the natives were not so well equipped with arms and weapons, so,
they were not in position to face the onslaught of the White Europeans. In fact they were persuaded to embrace
Christianity and were also forced to submit and surrender. Mr. Brown who were benevolent if not always
beneficent, persuaded them to embrace Christianity. He succeeded in winning a large number of converts
because of his gentle and friendly approach. He did not reject their cultural values outrightly. Mr. Smith who
succeeded him was jealous, vengeful and manipulative and demanded from the natives the utmost kind of
obedience to letters of the Bible. He rejected the cultural values of the Africans outrightly. His hatred and
reactionary actions caused conflict between the upholder (supporters) of church and the champions of native
African cultural values. Okonkwo happened to be the champion of old African cultural values. They were
quite dear to him as well as to most of natives of Africa.
Europeans entered Africa not only motivated by establishing their supremacy as
colonizers but also As propagators of Christianity. They wanted not only to reap economic benefits but also
to get the native converted to their religious faith. Some of them like Mr. Smith tried to impose their culture
and religion on natives of Africa, But some of them like Mr. Brown resorted to persuasive method because
they knew that the manipulative method and forcible conversion will not be durable. No Doubt, they

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pinpointed the weakness of the native cultures and religion. They clearly stated that their wooded gods and
goddess were not true gods. They play no role in changing the fate of a person. They also resorted to poetic
songs and hymns which appealed to the natives quite a lot but natives could not understand the mad logic of
trinity preached by missionaries. They also pinpointed the other defects inherent in their culture and religion.
Then they constructed churches and opened schools to enlighten them and to woo them. The natives offered
them land in the Sinister evil forest to ensure their death and destruction. They do so under the wrong
impression that any one who stays there for more than 28 days meets his end. But even after laps of months
when missionaries remain alive the natives become skeptical about their religious beliefs. The loopholes of
their religion come to light. So, there are a large number of conversion.
There were other reasons as well which made them skeptical
about their religion. For, example, Nwoye the eldest son of Okonkwo could not be oblivious of the heart
breaking cries of the innocent twins thrown into the forest wrongly believed to be home of evil spirits. He
also could not digest the heinous crime committed against his friend, Ikemefuna who was assassinated as a
result of the pronouncement made by the Oracle of the Hills and Caves. He was killed to please deities. Not
only this much the maltreatment meted out to him by his father isolates him completely from his father , his
tribe, and the religious beliefs of his people. The words of the missionaries regarding education and their
hymns appeal to him quite alot and he gets attracted towards Christianity. He joins the Missionaries and never
returns back to his clan. He finds a new solace in the preaching of the Missionaries.
When the Missionaries arrive to preach their religion, people hear them of curiosity and amusement
but soon get attracted towards their culture and religion. Some of the natives start sending their children to
their schools, The light of education acts like an eye opener . Amadi’s pregnant wife also gets converted to
Christianity because by doing so she gets rid of throwing the twins into the Evil Forest. Four of her twins had
already met the same fate. Okoli and Enoch get converted to Christianity and become staunch supporters of
the Missionaries. But the largest number of converts were Osu, an outcaste quite contemptuously treated.
They were avoided like plague. They were not allowed to participate in the festivities and traditional Activities
such as marriage, and the last rites. The generosity of Christian Missionaries attracted them towards the new
faith proclaiming equality. They could also receive the light of education, Obierika’s words regarding the
White Missionaries reflect the whole scenario quite beautifully, “ The White man has not only brought a
religion but also a government. The White man’s court has already decided about that land dispute that it
should belong to Nnama’s family”. He also says that, “Our own customs are bad; and our own brothers who
have taken up his religion also say that our customs are bad. How do you think we can fight when our own
brothers have turned against us? The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his
religion…….won our brothers and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a KNIFE ON THE THINGS
THAT HELD US TOGETHER AND WE HAVE FALLEN APART,” He rightly sums up the whole situation
by saying that fighting the white man tantamounts to committing suicide. This is what Okonkwo fails to
understand. He acts violently without feeling the pulse of time. He wrongly believes that going for war against
the Europeans will benefit Umoufia. Expecting support from his own people he kills the Head of court
messenger. But he gets no support and so is forced to die a miserable death like a dog by committing suicide.
Cultural values of Umuofia fall apart and they are a divided lot.

IV. ROLE OF WOMEN/ FEMINISM IN THE NOVEL

The society depicted in the novel, “Things Fall Apart is undoubtedly patriarchal, for it revolves around the
notion man is everything and woman almost nothing. No doubt, patriarchy intrudes rather oppressively into
every sphere of existence as is discernible in the African novels of Achebe’s time. The society that Achebe
depicts is that of the later part of 19th century . So, it is but natural to see women marginalized, oppressed,
and exploited. This is the one side of that but the other side of that reflects an encouraging pictures of women’s
contribution to the society. We know it quite well that African society of the period 1850-1900 was agrarian
in which the crop – the yam was synonymous with virility and manliness. Women played a vital role in the
success of the agrarian system. The farmer had to bank upon the support of women. This becomes crystal
clear from the opinion of a Nigerian critic who says, “Whether it be farming , child-nurturing or animal taming
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the role played by women is extremely vital and indispensable. In fact women constitute (and still do the
same ) the core of rural work-force. From this observation , it becomes apparent that Umuofian society was
totally dependent on women’s contribution. Despite patriarchal nature of African society that Achebe and
other African novelists depict women’s role in the growth And development of that society can never be
overlooked and minimized.
No doubt, women in Africa as is depicted in ‘Things Fall Apart’ have remained neglected and sidelined
for centuries. They were made to feel like outsiders. They had no say in the affairs of the family. Wife beating
was common practice as is crystal clear from the reading of ‘Things Fall Apart’ Although in the Week of
Peace men were prohibited from indulging in such a practice. But Okonkwo beats his wife even in the Week
of Peace. Women bear children, cook food, take care of the household and are the primary educators of
children, through story-telling and other forms of discourse. They educate and socialize their children
inspiring in them intellectual curiosity about social values and human condition like all other women. The
women in ‘Things fall apart are also the progenitors of life. The society expects from them to safe-guard life.
As is crystal clear from the advice of Uchendu to Okonkwo. When Okonkwo reaches his motherland for the
sake of Shelter, Uchendu explains it quite beautifully as to why mother is supreme: “ It is true that a child
belongs to a father , but when a father beats his child, it seeks sympathy in in its mother’s hut. A man belongs
to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds
refuge in hi motherland” He also gives him a piece of mind by advising him to give comforts to his wives and
children because they are his kinsmen. Herein Achebe ‘s approach is quite sympathetic to wards the women.
The female principle within the tribal ethic is quite apparent. It becomes crystal clear from
the advice of the old man of the village, that even if Okonkwo had seen his wife in a compromising position
with a man he should have avoided beating her. So, Okonkwo’s approach towards women may be harsher
and tougher. But it is not the same with all. Okonkwo’s inadvertent crime of shooting a fire is considered to
be a female crime. There isa great respect for earth goddess, so he had to accept his banishment. It in fact, his
denigration of female principle which brings his ruin. Even in his wish that his beloved , Ezinma should have
been a boy there is sense of acrimony discernible for womenfolk in general. But he could not contract hatred
for Ezinma. She remains a source of solace and relief in his days of adversity and melancholy. Her love for
her mother also shades a enormous light on her virtuous traits. She provides her love and companionship.
Although we get a subjugated picture of women in the novel but even in their subjugation they have moments
of joy and relief as well. The ladies of Umuofia are fun loving and fond of adventurous activities. Ekwefi and
Ezinma are full of thrill and excitement to watch the wrestling match with great joy and delight. The daring
and energetic acts of wrestler cause them a great deal of fascination. Being impressed by valour and bravery
of Okonkwo in one wrestling match Ekwefi, whpo had earlier rejected Okonkwo’s proposal for marriage gets
so much fascinated the she leaves her first husband home and hearth to be Okonkwo’s life partner. Even
Ezinma when she comes off age turns out to be the beauty of Umuofia whom every young lad wants to marry.
Even in case of dispute which comes before egwugwu about an estranged couple (wife and husband) the
husband is punished for getting his wife back. He is asked to go to the house of his in-laws with a port of wine
to be offered to them. And Odukwe, the elder brother of Mgbafo should allow his sister to go to the house of
her husband Uzowulu along with her children. No doubt, in the Umuofian society women are a little bit
marginalized but motherhood is regarded as a crowning glory of woman’s life.

V. CONCLUSION
Thus, the novel entitled “Things Fall Apart” presents life of the Ibos in pre-colonial Eastern Nigeria. The
novel speaks of Ibo life, culture and history. Achebe in these novels presents the Ibo life and culture from
within as an Ibo, not as an outsider, dealing with the weaknesses and strengths of the Ibo traditional society
in his works. Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God portray the disintegration of the Ibo society. The natives
became victims of their own weaknesses and disunity among themselves. When the 'new' religion came,
bringing along with it new set of values and beliefs, instead of dealing with it in unification, there was internal
division among the natives themselves allowing the breakdown of the tribal system of the villages which once
believed in the traditional cycle of life. Chaos and confusion was let loose on the native land as they held on
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to their past, while embracing the new culture, thus, things fell apart. One of the major theme in the novel is
the complexity of the Ibo society before the arrival of the Europeans. To support this theme, he includes the
justice codes and social and family rituals, the marriage customs, food production, religious beliefs and
practices and the clan system. Things Fall Apart deals with the Ibo society of the 19th century. Achebe in
Things Fall Apart recreates the sense of the African past by evoking the rituals and traditional customs. For a
better understanding of the Ibo society and its culture, it is important to understand the differences between
the European society and its culture which gives a lot of importance to the individual rather than society,
whereas in African society, emphasis is on the community or fate of the society rather than the individual.
Achebe thus presents the complex Ibo situation that resulted, as a product of the white man's intrusion, making
inroads into African clan. The novel is remarkable for its realistic portrayal of life and society of African
tribes. Nothing is superfluous in the novel. The novel abounds in a variety of ironies. For example ironies of
events , situation, structure dramatic and verbal digging against the colonizers. It is like tragedy where tragic
hero is Okonkwo who meets his end and “buried like a dog.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I was introduced to Post Colonial Literature in my Postgraduate years at Gaya Collage, Gaya and
got somewhat interested in it. It has been an exciting and rewarding experience for me to carry out my
research-paper on the same area under the supervision of Dr. Pandey Om Prakash, Associate Professor in
English, P.G Centre, Department of English, Gaya College, Gaya. I express my heartfelt gratitude to him. Of
course it was a difficult journey and perilous too. But for his inspired guidance, rigorous yet humane, I could
never have come to this hypothesis.. I am infinitely grateful to him. I owe to him more than what can be put
into words.
I also hereby express my heartfelt gratefulness to all my scholar teachers specially
Dr. K.K. Narayan, Head of the Department, P.G. Centre, Department of English, Gaya College, Gaya, Dr.
Md. Imteyaz Uddin Khan, Dr. Arvind Kumar Sunil, and Dr. Atal Kumar and my family members, friends and
classmates whose co-operation and contribution cannot be missed to acknowledge.
I express my deep gratitude to my parents Dr. Suresh Perjapat and Mrs. Sujata Devi for their
goodwill, motivation, supports and grace. My sister, Hemlata, my brother, Raushan and my bosom friend
Aryan Diwakar too deserve an expression of gratitude from me whose inspiration and co-operation aided me
in completion of this paper.
Last but not the least, I am thankful to all my family members and one related to this work up to any
extent in the due course of time.

REFERENCES
1. Achebe, Chinua. Things fall apart. Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers, 1996. Print.
2. Yeats, Butler William. “The second coming.” PotW Org. (1921). Web. 24 Nov. 2012
3. Sickels, Amy. Critical insights: things fall apart (Kindle Edition). Critical Reception of Things Fall
Apart. Salem Press. Web. 15 Jun. 2012.
4. Owomoyela, Oyekan. A history of twentieth-century African literatures. Lincoln: Univ. of Nebraska
Press, cop. 1993. Print.

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