This document is a paper submitted by Parmar Shubhda A. on the topic "Things Fall Apart Why? How?" about the novel by Chinua Achebe. The paper discusses how Achebe presents the Igbo culture and traditions in Nigeria to build cultural pride. It focuses on the main character Okonkwo, a wealthy farmer who is proud of Igbo traditions but struggles as missionaries arrive and convert his village, destroying their way of life. Unable to accept this change, Okonkwo's grasp on his own life and community falls apart, ultimately leading to his defeat.

1. Name – Parmar Shubhda A.
 Paper - The African Literature
Roll no – 30
 Topic – Things Fall Apart Why? How ?
 Submitted to – S.B Gardi
Department of English
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinghji
Bhavnagar University
MA Sem - 4

2.  Chinu Achebe in” Thing Fall
Apart” presents a different
idea of Africans. They have
families, religions, honors,
music, laws and farming
Techniques .
 He represents the cultural
roots of the Igbo in order to
provide self confidence.
 He presents people’s dignity
that they lost during the
colonial period .

3.  The actual title is taken from W.B Yeat’s poem
“The Second Coming”
“ Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.
 This line from the poem reflects Okonkwo’s grasp
on his own life, family and power in his community
.

4.  Introduction :
 Okonkwo is a member of the Igbo
people in the African Country of Nigeria .
 Okonkwo is a wealthy farmer and is
well respected in his clan.

5. Okonkwo has a big family that follows the traditions of
the Igbo people

6.  Okonkwo believes in the Igbo traditions.
 He values strength and hard work and
looks down on gentleness and compassion.
 Okonkwo will do anything to be different
from his father, who was considered weak
and died in disgrace .
 About Okonkwo :

7.  The beginning of the novel shows
Okonkwo’s masculine attributes.
 “He had no patience with
unsuccessful men, he had no
patience with his father” (Achebe 3).
 Okonkwo’s distaste with his father
and son.
 This distaste motivates him to
overcome his father Unoka’s legacy.

8.  Okonkwo ‘s primary goal in life is to avoid failure
and prove to his family .
 One day a senseless act changes Okonkwo life .
 He and his family are sent away from the village .

9.  While Okonkwo and
his family are away
changes begin to take
place in their village.
 Christian missionaries
arrive – determined to
change the Igbo way
of life .

10.  Okonkwo is defeated :
 He struggle to see his fellow villagers
convert to the white Men’s religion .
 Okonkwo cannot accept the destruction of
traditions .
 He slowly begins to lose his mind cannot
live longer .

11. Thank you…