Introductory Blog Post

Link: https://youtu.be/gfoYhG0SpV4

Prompt:  The personal history of an author can have a significant influence on the way meaning is constructed in his/her writing. Comment on specific instances of such influence in Things Fall Apart. Achebe’s cultural cross road of Igbo tradition and the Christian religion has majorly influenced the novel "Things Fall Apart" since Achebe represented both cultures and both religions in a neutral single eye in order to showcase the strengths and limitations of each being present under one strand.  Chinua Achebe wrote the post-colonial novel of ‘Things Fall Apart’ in 1958 in order to teach other Africans that their past was neither so savage nor benighted as the colonisers made then believe it to be.   His purpose by portraying both sides is to persuade a combination of both and show how one can affect the others existence. Achebe also demonstrates the need for flexibility and duality with the Nigerian independence and represents this throughout Okonkwo, the protagonist,...

What is the significance of Okonkwo’s character? What does he represent or is symbolic of?  In the novel Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is portrayed as a respected and determined individual whose fatal flaw eventually works against him. Throughout the novel the readers are shown that Okonkwo has many of these Characteristics because he is obsessed with the idea of not becoming like his father. This becomes his flaw in the novel that puts him into exile and makes it hard for him to adjust to the changes that were made with in his village.  Okonkwo is a leader of the Igbo community of Umuofia. Achebe describes him as "tall and huge" with "bushy eyebrows and a wide nose that gives him a very severe look."   This is reflected towards his stubbornness and inflexibility, for instance, he decides to go with the delegation that is to kill Ikemefuna, despite his emotional instinct and Ezeudu’s advice. This stubbornness with the ultimate purpose of not being shown as weak is ...

When Okonkwo kills the messenger, no one from his community backs him up and eventually, decides to hang himself This is important because it reveals how the Igbo people although resented the colonists. The fact that the villagers do not back Okonkwo in his decision to murder the messenger continues to build onto the theme idea that the village is adapting to the change whilst Okonkwo isn't. This is reflected in how he decides to hang himself. Lastly, this is important in terms of character because it creates a paradox in the characterisation of Okonkwo. Throughout the novel, he strives to not be seen as weak, strives to masculinity and to avoid at all costs resembling his father. Nevertheless, his death shows that internally, Okonkwo is weaker than he seems. This may reveal that Okonkwo is more concerned with what others think of him, of having a polished reputation When Nwoye decides to join the Church, efficiently being persuaded by Mr. Brown This is an important event...