1. This document provides biographical information about the author Binita M. Solanki and her paper submitted to Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University on the psychological study of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. 2. It analyzes the Igbo culture and cosmology through the lens of Jungian psychology, focusing on how the Igbo strived for individual wholeness. 3. The character of Okonkwo is discussed, including his rise to wealth and status, his tragic flaws of pride and inability to adapt to change, and how his relationship with his father and unconscious desires ultimately led to his tragic demise and suicide at the end

1. Name : Solanki Binita M.
Roll No : 04
Paper No : 14
Subject : The African Literature.
Course: M.A., Semester: 4.
P.G. Enrollment No : PG13101031.
Year :2014-2015.
Email ID: solankibinita84@gmail.com.
Submitted to : Maharaja
Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.
(Department of English).
Topic: Psychological Study of Things Fall Apart.

2. Chinua Achebe

3.  Igbo Philosophy of Life and psychological Parameters of
Individual Wholeness
 In Things Fall Apart, Achebe presents a vivid
picture of Igbo and its culture
 understanding of the Igbo way of life, this study is
going to analyze Igbo culture and cosmology in the
light of Jungian psychology, investigating how the
Igbo conducted a well-balanced life based upon
Jung's theories for a healthy life
 Igbo are a very religious people. They don’t
separate their religious life from their
secular life.
 The Igbo firmly believe that whatever exists,
something else exists beside it.

4. Okonkwo
 Okonkwo is a self-made, well-respected
member of the Umuofia clan.
 Okonkwo becomes successful in many ways –
he becomes very wealthy, holds a high-ranked
position in the community
 Okonkwo tries to follow the laws of the clan.

5. THE TRAGIC FAULTS OF OKONKWO
 His greatest fault, or hamartia, as seen
in the protagonist of a typical Greek
tragedy, is his pride.
 Okonkwo considers many of his father’s
characteristics to be feminine.
 There is a clash between showing true
emotion and maintaining the show of
his strength.
 Okonkwo problem – his inability to
adapt or compromise his ethics to
changing situations that call for more
tolerance or compassion.

6. A Psychological Analysis of Okonkwo's
Personality and his Ultimate Demise
The ego’s inability to repress the infantile
demands of the unconscious, the preconscious
and the conscious self, ever more compulsive,
repetitive and neurotic behavior's are displayed.
Okonkwo’s relationship to his mother
plays a significant role in explaining the
tense relationship with his own father
and sons
Okonkwo returned to his fatherland but
he disappointed to see the change in the
village. Okonkwo was deeply hurt to see
the clan breaking up and falling apart.

7. Okonkwo, whose sense of pride and
dignity continues until the end, chooses
to live and die on his own terms rather
than submit to the white man.
The novel has a tragic end because
Okonkwo committed suicide.