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The African Trilogy #1

Things Fall Apart

chinua achebe

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Spark Publishing’s Literature Guides are celebrating their 5th Anniversary!  To celebrate this, we’re giving our TOP 50 a revamp by adding some exciting new features.

There will be sixteen pages devoted to writing a literary essay including:

Glossary of literary terms, Step by step tutoring on how to write a literary essay Feature on how not to plagiarized.

Each book will also include an A+ Essay; an actual literary essay written about the Spark-ed book, to show students how an essay should be written.

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1958
Series
The African Trilogy
Places
africa, nigeria, 

This edition

Format
72 pages, Paperback
Published
January 10, 2002 by SparkNotes
ISBN
9781586634070
ASIN
1586634070
Language
English
Characters More characters

More editions

About the author

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chinua achebe

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Works, including the novel Things Fall Apart (1958), of Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe describe traditional African life in conflict with colonial rule and westernization.

This poet and critic served as professor at Brown University. People best know and most widely read his first book in modern African literature.

Christian parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria reared Achebe, who excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies. World religions and traditional African cultures fascinated him, who began stories as a university student. After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian broadcasting service and quickly moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He gained worldwide attention in the late 1950s; his later novels include No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). Achebe defended the use of English, a "language of colonizers," in African literature. In 1975, controversy focused on his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" for its criticism of Joseph Conrad as "a bloody racist."

When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Achebe, a devoted supporter of independence, served as ambassador for the people of the new nation. The war ravaged the populace, and as starvation and violence took its toll, he appealed to the people of Europe and the Americas for aid. When the Nigerian government retook the region in 1970, he involved in political parties but witnessed the corruption and elitism that duly frustration him, who quickly resigned. He lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and after a car accident left him partially disabled, he returned to the United States in 1990.

Novels of Achebe focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era. His style relied heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory. He also published a number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections. He served as the David and Marianna Fisher university professor of Africana studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

ollowing a brief illness, Achebe died.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 96 votes)
5 stars
34(35%)
4 stars
25(26%)
3 stars
37(39%)
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96 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
nyanzure
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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1 star

I read this book for school, and I have to say that I am extremely grateful to have finished it. The ending was just awful! It completely ruined the entire experience for me.

This book was definitely not to my taste. I found it boring and unengaging from start to finish. The characters were not well-developed, and the plot was predictable. I just couldn't get into it at all.

I would not recommend this book to anyone. There are so many other great books out there that are much more interesting and enjoyable to read. Save your time and find something else to read instead.

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Awesoma
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The sun will rise on those who stand before it rises on those who prostrate themselves beneath their feet.

This simple yet profound statement holds a certain truth. Those who are upright and ready to face the new day with determination and courage are the ones who will be the first to witness the beauty and warmth of the rising sun.

Standing represents a posture of strength and preparedness. It shows that one is not afraid to confront the challenges that come with a new day. On the other hand, prostrating oneself beneath the feet can imply submission or a lack of initiative.

However, it is important to note that this does not mean that those who prostrate themselves are any less worthy. Each person has their own way of approaching life and dealing with its difficulties.

In conclusion, whether one chooses to stand or prostrate, the important thing is to be true to oneself and to face each day with a positive attitude.
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M1lluk1
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Tyrants have a strange allure that seems to attract even greater tyrants. It's a phenomenon that is both fascinating and disturbing.

For me, it's completely impossible to care about a bunch of self-aggrandizing assholes who engage in such heinous acts as selling their daughters and beating their wives.

These individuals have no regard for the basic rights and dignity of others, and their actions are a blight on society.

Rather than wasting my time and energy on them, I choose to focus on those who are working towards positive change and making a difference in the world.

Only by standing up against tyranny and injustice can we hope to create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.
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subdee
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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In this article, we explore the captivating story that unfolds in a Nigerian setting. The title "Things Fall Apart" is a precise and vivid description of a society's downfall. The protagonist, Okonkwo, is a strong and determined young man who builds his reputation based on strength, perseverance, and hard work, in contrast to the laziness and drunkenness of his father. However, this is just the surface. The author delves deeper into the details of an entire community, its rituals, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life, values, and enforced laws, all centered around the myths they believe in. The author presents this in a smooth language, enriched with vivid examples and engaging stories, allowing us to see many aspects of that culture. Then, things start to fall apart.

One of the interesting aspects of this novel is the arrival of the white man and the introduction of Christianity into the region. The cultural comparisons and contrasts that the author presents are remarkable, and the narrative that follows this arrival is both enjoyable and rich.

The structure of the novel is solid, and the development of the plot and characters is excellent, especially with that precise ending. The author successfully weaves a story that gives the reader an almost complete picture of the society/tribe, its culture, its shock due to civilization, and the effects of that shock.

However, the translation could have been much better. The use of footnotes for explanations instead of referring to the last pages for understanding the translated word would have been more beneficial. Also, the writing could have been improved.
\n  
The living fire begets cold, impotent ash\n
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Calcature
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Chinua Achebe's work is a significant tome that essentially shows the world how Europe has managed to export a rather shallow perception of manhood. Written in 1958, the definitions of what makes a strong and successful leader or man in a tribe are distressingly familiar.

Surprisingly for me, this turned out to be a novel about colonization, albeit perhaps not in the way one might initially expect. I view it like this: What did I think Achebe intended to convey with this novel, and what did he actually say in terms of my interpretation? Because what I got from reading it was the idea of assimilation.

This is a novel filled with negatives. Achebe creates images of tribal life as being backward. There are large numbers of people who are depicted as lazy, ignorant, weak, greedy, superstitious, cruel, brutal, inhumane, supine, and entitled. Okonkwo, the anti-hero, has serious psychopathic tendencies. He is a narcissist with an exaggerated sense of self and his standing within his community. He is the worst kind of misogynist, a casual one. To me, he seems more like a misanthrope, with his anger directed at his wives whom he views as his property. The misogyny is more of a tribal culture and part of the entitlement mentioned earlier. But his hatred extends to all people, not just women. He is a bully. He craves respect yet has none for anyone else. He believes himself to be a leader, but his realization of his place in the world comes to a sudden end, and I imagine no one mourns his passing. His one redeeming quality is his drive and determination. I found myself wondering if Achebe had read "Native Son" written almost 20 years earlier, as Okonkwo is like Bigger Thomas with a work ethic.

Overall, classics for me are like time capsules. I try to approach them while keeping in mind the time they were written and the environment, culture, and mood that influenced the author. I'm not sure. To be honest, I didn't particularly like this novel. Assimilation. Nigerian culture is represented in ways that I envision the British would understand (although, to be fair, my culture is neither Nigerian nor British, so I have no personal experience to base my judgment on). There is the successful implantation of patriarchy, religion, misogyny, envy, Christian values (strangely, the tribe seems to be full of them even though the British haven't arrived yet), drug use (intoxication), envy, mental health issues (depression, narcissism), and the list goes on. For me, this was both slightly disappointing and fascinating. It's a very interesting classic that left me with many questions about representation.

3.5 Stars rounded up

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Ignatia
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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There is nothing better than going to a writer whose name you have never heard before and when you read his first book, you see a masterpiece!

It's like stumbling upon a hidden treasure. You have no preconceived notions or expectations, and yet, as you turn the pages, you are completely captivated by the story, the characters, and the writing style.

The unknown writer has the ability to surprise you, to take you on a journey you never thought possible. Their fresh perspective and unique voice can breathe new life into the literary world.

Discovering such a writer is a truly magical experience, one that can change your perception of literature and leave you eagerly anticipating their next work.
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Strymoon
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold” is a profound line from Yeats's poem "The Second Coming". Fifty years after Chinua Achebe penned this seemingly simple Nigerian tragedy, "Things Fall Apart" has remained continuously in print. It is widely regarded as Africa's most renowned work of literature, and it's not hard to understand why.

At the core of the story is the powerful Okonkwo, driven by an intense need to prove himself, both to himself and his tribe. He must rise above the disreputable reputation of his drunkard and irresponsible father. While Okonkwo can easily conquer enemies through wrestling, chopping, or killing, his stubborn pride and anger clash with and ultimately fail to overcome those aspects of life that are not so easily dealt with: providence, family, and tribal laws.

The allure of "Things" for me lies in watching Okonkwo's encounters with a traditional village. I was both fascinated and repulsed by its customs, mores, and the overall precarious harmony. The title's appropriateness is evident in the extreme delicacy of that tribal balance, which is shaken to its very core by the arrival of the English missionaries. Everything that Okonkwo understood the world to be changes with the introduction of Christianity and Western civilization. It is a clash not only of one individual against his own society and a foreign power but also of two completely opposed cultures. You rarely find so much carefully contained conflict in a book of this size. It's truly remarkable!

Chinua Achebe wrote this masterpiece before most African nations declared their independence. Since then, the Dark Continent has witnessed rivers of bloodshed. One wonders when all the suffering will end and prays for an end to it. Such a sacred place with beautiful people, in many ways like the Garden of Eden. Long live Africa!

Thanks to Ginnie for the link from The Economist about the Golden Jubilee of "Things Fall Apart".

23 November 2008: I'm nearly done, and I'm so eager to start writing my review of this incredible book. But at the same time, I know I need to let it "gel". I want to write about "Things Fall Apart" because it awakens and stirs up so many thoughts and feelings within me. It reminds me of every other book I've read about Africa, yet it is unique.

Ah well... self-control, booklady!
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otakuweek
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Africa, the enchanting, neglected beautiful continent, a land pulsating with life and filled with events. It is the mysterious continent, the cradle of humanity and the origin of its civilization, preserving its customs and traditions in a fascinating way. It is a crucial source for the original human being, with its nature and unique way of life.

African literature is one of the most important (neglected) literatures in the world for very many reasons. This continent only recently gained its freedom after being imprisoned by injustice, occupation, and tyranny. But once you look at the nature of this literature, you will find pure magic in it.

Importantly, we have a Nigerian novel (and my previous experience with this literature was very fruitful, especially with the novel "Half of a Yellow Sun"). This novel was the favorite of the leader Nelson Mandela, and rightfully so. In it, there is a noble human sense, that original sense, where the pure human being confronts without any taint from civilization or the artifice of modern civic actions.

The novel is about tribes and customs, about primitive wars, and above all, it is a novel about the society of the mother nature, that society where you must protect yourself and build yourself with all the talents and strength you have.

The novel is about a tribe called (Oby) and its hero is a character named (Okonkwo): the heroic fighter and the just and tough husband. In other words, it is a portrayal of a complete primitive life. The author depicts the development of the hero's life, using it as a reflection on the life of an entire people.

In my opinion, this is a very important novel. It truly deserves its place in the history of world literature. It has a brilliant portrayal and a noble national sense. The author not only presented specific literary events but also presented his society with all its brilliance and succeeded in conveying that brilliance completely and in a way that is enviable.

The translation was good in my opinion, indicating the greatness of the original text. The author's skill is clear in presenting the human being and all the emotions and feelings that occur within him.
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