Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart  Most influential African novel (translated into more than 50 languages and has sold over 12 million copies) Depicts the inner struggle and human frailties of a “strong man” within the Igbo culture as he deals with the uninvited changes to his culture.  

Things Fall Apart Set in the late 1800’s-early 1900’s or sometime during the British conquest of Nigeria, which lasted from 1890-1906 Written and published in 1958 while Nigeria was still under colonial rule About the clash b/n the traditional Ibo (native) culture, & the missionaries & colonizers of Britain

Chinua Achebe Born 1930 in Ogidi, Nigeria (Africa). Considered to be the most widely-read and influential African novelist. His father taught at the missionary school where he was educated.

Chinua Achebe Witnessed firsthand the mix of benefit and ills that the Christian religion brought to Igbo people. Educated on European literature that depicted the African people as primitive savages. Achebe's work helped re-shape the perception of African history and culture.

Quote by Chinua Achebe UNTIL THE LIONS HAVE THEIR OWN HISTORIANS, THE HISTORY OF THE HUNT WILL ALWAYS GLORIFY THE HUNTERS.

CHINUA ACHEBE

Nigeria Most populous country in Africa, twice the size of California Large oil supplier to the U.S. Under British rule from 1890 until 1960, when independence was finally achieved From 1966-1999, Nigeria was ruled by a series of military dictators

Nigeria Democracy was finally established in 1999. This history of violence & oppression affected Achebe and telling this story became one of his purposes in writing Things Fall Apart.

Things Fall Apart Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart to create a complex and sympathetic portrait of traditional village culture in Africa   Too many Africans in his time were ready to accept the European judgment that Africa has no history or culture worth preserving.

Things Fall Apart Achebe’s purposes in writing this novel: Inform the outside world about Ibo cultural traditions Remind his own people of their past & declare that it had value Address the Western perception of Africa as “the Dark Continent”

Divergence Divergence is one of his greatest tools! (To deviate is so divert, depart, go away from.) He often digresses from the plot to relate cultural anecdotes. By doing so, he shares Igbo traditions and the richness of the culture. Embrace it—don’t let it confuse you!

The title of book is an allusion. The title of the book comes from a line in a the poem, “The Second Coming,” by the famous English poet, William Butler Yeats (1865-1939). An allusion is a literary device that makes a reference to a famous person, place, or event of literary historical signifigance.

THE IBO PEOPLE AKA: Igbo (the more modern word for the Ibo people)

IBO VILLAGE SCENE

A MUD HOUSE

A NIGERIAN FARM LIKE OKONKWO’S

IBO WARRIORS

IBO WRESTLERS

IBO DANCERS

EGWUGWU

IBO MEN AND BOYS

NIGERIAN DANCE MASK

A CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Open your Mind Experience a new culture- go across the world! Understand an important part or history. See the commonalities in humanity. Look into the mind and heart a great African Warrior. Consider what it means to be “civilized.” Learn one man’s story…and the importance of story.

SOURCES FOR PICTURES http://lindseyfidler.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html   http://www.everyculture.com http://www.unc.edu/~hhalpin/ThingsFallApart/links.html http://www.stfrancis.edu/content/en/student/achebe/chinua/igbo.htm