Summary of 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe:

'Things Fall Apart' was written by Chinua Achebe in 1958, it is considered to be one of the foremost stories told in English by an African voice. Set in a fictional village called Umuofia, the 'Things Fall Apart' talks of Okonkwo, an ambitious man determined to be the leader of his village.

Okonkwo believed earnestly and followed to a fault, in the ways and tradition of the land. This would later cost him his relationship with his son.

When Okonkwo returns from exile, he finds that the white missionaries and colonial masters have not only arrived his village but have dominated their tradition and practices.

They have enforced their laws on his people. Unable to deal with the humiliation by watching everything he believed in became void, Okonkwo takes to a tragic end that claims his life.

His constant need to appear combative and his inability to deal with change left him with no other option.

What are the lessons learnt from ‘Things Fall Apart’?

One of the major lessons learnt from ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe is that colonialism is a process that literally makes things fall apart.

After white missionaries appear in Umuofia, a part of Nigeria, the community is torn apart by people who follow them and find haven in their message, and by those who resist.

Even families are torn apart, as Okonkwo is opposed to any change, and his son, Nwoye, turns to Christianity and even changes his name.

Another lesson learnt is that the religion of Christianity, if not properly examined, serves to deepen rifts that already exist; such as between Okonkwo and his son, and also to create new divisions.

Again, it was made clear to understand that  the progress to a capitalist future is no future at all.

Equally, there are also other philosophical, inspirational and humanitarian lessons taught in the book- 'Things Fall Apart.' For clarity and precision, we shall highlight some of them as quotes.

Quotes from ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe:

What are the manifestation of 'Things Fall Apart' in today's Nigeria?

Chinua Achebe, in 'Things Fall Apart,' did not necessarily preach but told his story in a way that makes you question how different things are in today's Nigeria.

Since independence, westernization has continually laid claim to our culture even though we pretend to be in control; trying desperately to preserve what we deem acceptable of our culture to the rest of the world.

Once upon a time, the white man came in with their schools in other to bring education to us. Education is a good thing, no doubt.

Indeed, it is a thing of pride for one to be learnned. But if it is true that education was their primary intention, why then did they not take it upon themselves to teach us that which we should know instead of teaching us what they wanted us to know?

Why was it a prohibited act, for an indigenous child to speak an indigenous language, in a school built on an indigenous soil? Why?

The mother tongue is a gift form Nature. It is an expression of originality. The processed lifestyle of the white man made him uncomfortable with our rawness.

And in other to make comfort his discomfort, he deceived us to believe that it was an act of wrongfulness to make use of our gift.

In addition, you would agree with me that there is no such thing as togetherness among civilized Nigerians anymore.

Fences have apparently turned brothers into street neighbours; as it has become obvious that we have succeeded in trading our beautiful sense of unification for that which they explained to us as privacy.

Who will educate the children with moonlight tales that they may grow up with consciousness and wisdom? Before dawn they are compelled to leave home for school, only to return at dusk with burdened knowledge void of understang.

Furthermore, a nursing mother leaves with a stranger her suckling, for the purpose of attending to office duties; a thing she will not dare to try with her jewelries.

But then a feminist is what she says she is, and for her actions, I am not surprise.

Consequently, their civilization made comfort a thing of paramount importance. And to keep up with comfort’s demand, father has known nothing but work.

Father has worked and worked and worked and worked until it has now become obvious that father has forgotten how to live.

Should we talk about the catastrophes rendered to us by their religion? How about the corruption introduced to us by their given system of government?

Let us try not to remember the plague of immorality, which now seems to have corroded the silvery surface of our value system; the pestilence of homosexuality and lesbiansm.

For to remember, is to bring to mind the curse that comes with renouncing the glory of one's heritage.

In truth, "the white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers and our clan can no longer act like one. He has out a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart." – Obierika, Okonkwo’s friend. (Excerpt from Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe)

Obviously, this is the deplorable state of present day Nigeria. This is the reason why everything seems to have fallen apart!

ALSO READ: Why Did «Things Fall Apart»? Remembering The Greatest Nigerian Story Ever Told

Review Rating

I rate 'Things Fall Apart' by Chnua Achebe 9/10. It is more than just a book. The book presented Nigeria of today as if the author saw from way back.