What To Do When Things Fall Apart

What To Do When ‘Things Fall Apart’ Just as the title of the novel suggests Okonkwo's downfall is caused by his inability to follow the morals of his culture and to adapt to colonization. Things Fall Apart , a historical fiction novel by Chinua Achebe, takes place in Nigeria around the turn of the 19th century which, is extremely important; it means Okonkwo’s life is in both, the pre- and post-European era. This allows Achebe to give Okonkwo a more complex, old fashioned, and unique personality that the reader is typically not used to. Okonkwo has an excessive fear of being like his father, so as a result, he begins at an early age to prove to his tribe that he is strong and brave. This causes him to make many controversial, and in some cases, idiotic choices for the sake of his manliness. Okonkwo’s strong reputation and respect in the community has made him a bit cocky. He has a feeling of arrogance and has little pity for those less fortunate or competent than himself. This is due to his pride and manly image. Okonkwo’s memory of his father ultimately shaped him into the man selfish man that he was in the story. His father was unmotivated and a poor provider for his family. Okonkwo's determination to not be like his dad helps him succeed, but it also is responsible for his sad downfall. His anger and violence causes …show more content…
Unfortunately, in his eyes, the world around him was falling apart. Chinua Achebe does a good job of making the reader feel the pain Okonkwo experienced during his final moments. Finally, as the novel starts coming to an end, Okonkwo's suicide exemplifies the selfish image he gave himself while trying to be the man his father wasn’t. Things Fall Apart’s tragic ending shows the reader just how deadly excessive pride can be and how it can make your world ‘fall