better than a lot of lower-class families. But why had they committed suicide? Many prisoners who have been institutionalized for thirty or forty years have been known to commit suicide not long after they are released. Why? Isn't freedom a better alternative

than imprisonment? The answer to both these questions is the same: CHANGE. Even if the change is for the better, a good number of people can't handle it. In the novel Things fall Apart, the main character Okonkwo is driven to suicide by change he can't handle.

The book is written by Cinua Achebe, a twentieth century author. Born in Nigeria, Achebe grew up in a transitional culture much like the one described in the book. He is currently a professor of literature at the University of Nigeria. Many factors can be

attributed to the cause of Okonkwo's demise, But the three most drastic ones are: hisson's conversion to Christianity, the change in daily life the new religion brings, and his frustration

to take matters into his own hands. In a fit of rage "Okonkwo [draws] his machete. The [head messenger who had come to order the meeting to be broken up crouches] to avoid the blow. It [is] useless. Okonkwo's machete descend[s] twice and the man's head [is

nonsense like twins couldn't be properly disposed of and dead infants couldn't be mutilated. Now, if the evil ogbanje wasn't taught a lesson, what was going to prevent it from coming back and dying again? And what was this deal with hangings for minor crimes? Beforehand, even if you murdered someone you were only banished from the village, certainly not put to death! "Okonkwo [is] deeply grieved. And it [isn't] just a personal grief. He mourn[s] for the clan, which he [sees] breaking up and falling apart"(183) right before his very eyes. But the thing that really gets to Okonkwo is the

soft like women."(183) Change, and the frustration brought by change killed Okonkwo. Mabe things would have been completely different if only a war had been declared. In my opinion, the absence of war to prevent this shifting of lifestyles was the straw that broke the camel's back. Or you could say the rope that broke Okonkwo's neck.

caused by his apathetic clansmen. Nwoye's conversion to Christianity was a sharp blow to Okonkwo because the Christians are looked down upon as being insane. The missionary tells them that all of the Ibo's gods are false images of wood and stone, and can d

Some common words found in the essay are:
Trinity Okonkwo, Umuofia178 Thiswould, , University Nigeria, Okonkwo Christians, Okonkwo Mabe, Nigeria Achebe, Idemili Ogwugwo, Cinua Achebe, Ani Amadiora, religion brings, frustration caused, conversion christianity, can't handle,
Approximate Word count = 974
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)