Things Fall ApartA Review of a Book by Chinua Achebe

Since there was no specific topic to write about in response to this novel, I am simply going to explain the main points of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. There are two major components that I found compelling in the book. First was the development of the main character, which I think is Okonkwo. I feel that the reader develops a better interpretation of him as he/she goes through the story. In addition, I felt that there was a valuable difference between this novel and any other story about European invasion in a territory occupied by natives: this story is told mostly from the perspective of the villagers instead of the Europeans. These devices play an important role in making this book an interesting piece of literature.

The reader learns early on what drives Okonkwo's character. His harsh actions and brutal beatings are fueled by his fear of weakness, which is what he believes of his father. Okonkwo did not want to follow in his families footsteps, because they lead nowhere. He forges his own path by doing the complete opposite of his father. He became famous when he threw Amalinze the Cat, "the great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten, from Umuofia to Mbaino," (pg.3). At the beginning of the story, I remember feeling proud for Okonkwo and I admired him for his success even though his father was such a failure. I think that my view of him has changed. Okonkwo's father, Unoka, may not have been such a failure. He seemed to find his own enjoyment from life, which was different from that of most people. Okonkwo, in his embarrassment, abandoned that notion. In this way, his life was more of a joke. In the end, we realize that Okonkwo is rather insecure and needs his reputation to be good. He does not fail to be unlike his father, but he is unable to create himself in his own vision. He is afraid that his true character will not be accepted, not to mention respected, in the clan. His whole persona is a trick, and by the last page, his true identity is revealed.

When I read this book, I felt that the villagers were justified in their actions against the Europeans, and that the white men had to right to interfere in their affairs, especially so soon after moving to explore the area. This was somewhat surprising because most films and novels of the past couple of centuries reveal the opposite effect. Authors and screenwriters create plots with heroic explorers and savage cannibalistic Indians with spears and painted faces. Well, maybe not all are like that, but most books and scripts present the natives and undeveloped and in need of assistance from the Europeans. Things Fall Apart was different in this sense. I mostly noticed this feeling when the clansmen confronted the white men. Achebe's use of language to create a vision of how much the Europeans were trespassing was very strong and quite memorable. Achebe writes about the white man: "He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart," (pg. 176). The reader is meant to visualize the white man separating the villagers with a knife, or something of that sort. It develops an emotion of distress and anger towards the white men. It is this point of view that has intrigued me the most.

This book has captured my attention with its irony and simple characterizations of human quality. My views have been steered towards those of Chinua Achebe and this African tale. This story may remain in my memory for some time, but I cannot be sure for how long. Though this book is influential, I it will have little affect my life. The most important thing, however, is the view of the native people when their home has been invaded my outsiders, and the realization of Okonkwo's dilemma, which I hope all of Achebe's readers can share.