Masculinity definition in Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart takes place with the Igbo tribe during the 19th century in Nigeria, Africa. A major theme in the story is the definition of masculinity. What is masculinity? “The possession of the qualities traditionally associated with men.” This theme is conveyed many ways throughout the story. It is shown by the roles of men and women, the way Okonkwo expects his sons to act, how Okonkwo acts himself, and the way the men of the tribe act/ treat women. The roles of the women and men are extremely different in the Igbo tribe. The men run the tribe and are expected to do the hard labor. One time, Ezinma, a daughter of Okonkwo, asked to carry his chair to the wrestling
