"The modern tragedy of Okonkwo, an Igbo farmer who has risen out of a disreputable family by his atheltic talents and hard work. His entire life is motivated by a fear of failure, failing like his poor father. Tragic events mount one upon another, culminating in the arrival of white men and the irreversible change of Okonkwo's world."
Daniel, Resident Scholar
" This story is about the life of Okonkwo, an up and comming leader of an Igbo village in Africa. He is willing to do anything to maintain his social status, no matter the suffering that it causes himself and those around him.
Everything that Okonkwo holds dear becomes threatened after an accidental shooting. Okonkwo must flee with his family from his beloved village for seven years, losing the life that he worked so hard to gain.
He gets through his seven years of exile only to go back home and discover that everything has changed. White missionaries have come to convert Africa to their ways."
Jess , Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of Things Fall Apart
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- thoughtful
Time/era of story
- 19th century
Inside culture (main char)
- Black
Internal struggle/realization?
Yes
Struggle over
- vague finding self/purpose in life (i.e. no plot to book)
Culture clash?
- Being oppressed by outside culture
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Outside culture (society)
- African Black
If story of urban/rural...
- Small town life
Coping with loss of loved one(s)
Yes
Loss of...
- child/children
Ethnic/regional/gender life
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- farmer
Age:
- 40's-50's
Eccentric/Mental
Yes
Eccentric:
- emotionally unstable
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Black
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- an organization
Profession/status:
- religious figure
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 4 (a fair amount)
Africa
Yes
Kind of Africa:
- Black Africa
Forest?
Yes
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Unusual Style:
- a lot of play on words
- a lot of flashback and forwards
- a lot of stream of consciousness
Amount of dialog
- little dialog
