Things Fall Apart Foreshadowing Analysis

In his novel, “Things Fall Apart”, Chinua Achebe includes a passage about a boy being led unknowingly to his death. In this passage, Achebe builds tension by using foreshadowing, as well as language and diction. He uses this tension to show how traumatic this event was, especially because of the terror of a child who felt betrayed by his family, because of another characters importance of self-image over family. Achebe first builds tension by the use of foreshadowing, in order to show the father-son relationship between Ikemefuna, the boy who is led to his death, and Okonkwo, the man who kills him. When Ogbuefi Ezeudu tells Okonkwo about the plans for Ikemefuna’s murder, he advises him “That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death” (lines 12-13). This foreshadowing …show more content…
Before he is murdered, Achebe describes Ikemefuna’s feelings by saying things similar to “it sent cold fear down Ikemefuna’s back… his hands trembled” (lines 139-140). As the passage draws to a close, the tension is driven up to an insatiable level, and Ikemefuna becomes very nervous, despite Okonkwo’s nearby presence. This shows that he was truly terrified in his final moments, with heavily armed men all around him. It also reveals that, despite his maturity, he is still just a child, and can express fear just as anyone else. Achebe also describes the betrayal committed by Okonkwo, by saying that he had “withdrawn to the rear” (lines 141-142). By using the word “withdrawn”, he emphasizes that the betrayal by Okonkwo was recognized by Ikemefuna before he was dealt his fate, and he was alienated in his time of judgment. Because Okonkwo does not want to be seen as weak, he values his appearance more than he values his son. He wanted to be as far away from the event as possible, while at the same time maintaining his image of insurmountable strength and