Thematic analysis of Things Fall Apart

A detailed Summary of Thematic analysis of Things Fall Apart

Achbe in the novel "Things fall apart" conveys a flavor of traditional African culture in the 1800`s. But despite this, it seems to be the tragedy of okonkwo that embodies the theme of the novel. Many of Achebe`s themes are not limited to the events in his novel, but relate to any situation in which traditional values are questioned and people from different cultures meet. My focus in this presentation will be on the theme of religion and theme of justice.

Like any good religion the Igbo religion comes with many superstitions. Personal chi is one of the superstitions in the Igbo tribe. Chi can be said to be a personal fragment of the Supreme Being unique for each individual. It determines much of a person's success and character.

"When a man says yes his chi says yes also." Pg 19

but at the same time a man does not challenge his chi.

"The evil you have done can ruin the whole clan. The earth goddess whom you have insulted may refuse to give us her increase, and we shall all perish." Pg 22

Ezeani said this to okonkwo in response to his challenge against his chi, by beating his wife during the week of peace.

Okonkwo can be an example for a person challenging his own chi since his desperate desire to succeed his chi, doe

I find that the invasion of the Europeans into umofia deprived the Igbo people of their freedom and religion.

The court proceedings seem to be similar to a normal court session, despite the way in which they are carried out. For e.g. the way in which the members are addressed like bodies and "our father". and uzowlu touching the ground to salute the judge.

When the justice system of the Igbo tribe was overtaken by the European justice system there was still doubt that whether proper justice will be served in the society of umofia. No longer did the court depend on the spirits for a decision. Anyone who went against the white man's law was held prisoner. Although this court system was highly organized, there was no justice. When the eruwugu was unmasked by Enoch there was no action taken by the court considering it to be a crime in the Igbo culture. But when the churches were burned down, the district commissioner makes a sly approach to arrest the men involved in the violence, considering it to be crime.

Many times throughout the novel, when a person commits a crime the court is disregarded for e.g. when the umofian woman was killed by a neighboring village man. Umofia called upon the oracle of the hills and caves to seek permission on starting the war. Instead mbiano offered to sacrifice a lad of theirs for their fault. This shows that the problem of a villager was the problem of the whole village.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Christianity Nwoye`s, , Feast Yam, igbo religion, igbo people, igbo tribe, week peace, hills caves, earth goddess, oracle hills caves, goddess earth, mixture religions, oracle hills, challenge chi, novel fall apart, wife week peace, beating wife week, umofian woman killed,

Approximate Word count = 1207
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels