The novel “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe tells the story of the decline of the Igbo society in Nigeria. The quotes below demonstrate the theme of the novel.
1. “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements. As a young man of eighteen he had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat. Amalinze was the great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten…”
2. “Okonkwo was not the man to go about saying ‘I have eaten so many men.’ That would not only be boasting, it would also be foolish because it might come to the ears of one greater than he. Yet he was as fearless as a man could be.”
3. “If a man like Okonkwo was at the bottom of the ladder, then it was a sure sign that the ladder itself was rotten. He had risen from nothing to great heights. He was a wealthy man, a man of title, and a great warrior. It was true he had been penalized for killing a clansman, but that was only a compound interest on the debt he had paid to the goddess…”
4. “Dwell on the past and you lose an eye. The present is only given to us to live. Afterward comes the night.”
5. “Living fire begets cold
What are some quotes from Okonkwo?
In “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe, the character Okonkwo makes a statement about how he believes people should handle situations where they are wronged. He says that people should not reason like cowards, but instead should take action. This is seen as a very brave and honorable way of thinking, and it is something that Okonkwo is known for.
Okonkwo was a man who was afraid of failure and weakness. He was a man who was dominated by fear. He was a man who was not a cruel man.
What are some proverbs in Things Fall Apart
1. Proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten:
This means that proverbs are useful in adding meaning to words and making them more understandable.
2. If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings:
This means that if a person is clean and presentable, they will be respected and treated well by others.
3. When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for walk:
This means that when someone is feeling good, they may be more inclined to take risks or do things they normally wouldn’t do.
4. A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness:
This means that by showing respect to those who are successful, one can create opportunities for themselves.
Things Fall Apart is one of the most popular and enduring poems of the 20th century. Written by WB Yeats in 1919, the poem has been referenced and adapted by artists across all mediums, from literature to film to television.
The poem’s apocalyptic imagery and themes of chaos and destruction have particular resonance in our current political and social climate. The poem speaks to our fears of an uncertain future, and its message of hope in the midst of darkness is one that we all need to hear right now.
What is Okonkwo’s tragic flaw quotes?
The tragic flaw that eventually leads to his downfall is his lack of patience. Whenever he gets angry, he would use his fists instead of waiting for his words to come out. This leads to him making mistakes and eventually downfall.
Tragic irony is when the reader has many hints that something bad might happen, but the character is unaware of the danger. In Things Fall Apart, the tragic irony is that Okonkwo, a proud and successful man, ends up hanging himself. The reader sees on multiple occasions that Okonkwo doesn’t deal well with change, which is a hint that he might not be able to handle the changes happening in his tribe.
What was Okonkwo’s fatal flaw?
Okonkwo’s tragic flaw is his fear of weakness and failure. In his thirties, Okonkwo is a leader of the Igbo community of Umuofia. He is a decorated warrior and has achieved much in his life. However, he is haunted by his fear of weakness and failure. This fear leads him to make rash decisions, such as kill his own son, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
Okonkwo’s tragic flaw is his obsession with manliness, which leads him to commit acts of violence that ultimately undermine his nobleness. This fear of looking weak like his father drives Okonkwo to behave in irrational and sometimes brutal ways. As a result, his honorable intentions are often overshadowed by his actions.
Was Okonkwo a coward or brave
Unoka was a man who was the complete opposite of what Okonkwo strove to be. He was idle, poor, and profligate with his money. He was also cowardly, gentle, and interested in music and conversation. Okonkwo consciously adopted the opposite ideals and became a productive, wealthy, thrifty, and brave man. He was also violent and adamantly opposed to anything that he saw as being “soft,” such as music, conversation, and emotion.
Okonkwo is often associated with fire, burning, and flames throughout the novel, which alludes to his intense and dangerous anger. This is the only emotion that he allows himself to display, and it can be incredibly destructive.
Is Things Fall Apart a metaphor?
Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, is a masterful work that uses multiple literary devices to develop themes of colonialism, masculinity, and cultural identity. The novel includes symbolism, imagery, metaphor, simile, allusion, and personification. These devices are used expertly to paint a picture of a culture that is struggling to maintain its identity in the face of intense pressure from outside forces. The novel is a moving and powerful look at a people who are fighting to keep their culture alive.
Yeats’ poem reflects the despair and disillusionment felt by many people in the early 20th century. The world was undergoing dramatic changes, and traditional values and institutions were being challenged. In this poem, Yeats insightfully captures the feeling that the world is coming apart at the seams. The poem also highlights the notion that humanity is its own worst enemy, and that we are capable of causing our own downfall.
What is the main message of Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart is a story about the decline of a great man and the decline of his culture. Okonkwo is a man of great strength and integrity, but his tragic flaws lead to his undoing. At the same time, the Igbo way of life is under assault from outside forces, and the people are unprepared to deal with these new challenges. The story is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and on the fragility of civilization.
One of the main reasons that Things Fall Apart was so successful is its detailed descriptiveness of Igbo culture. The author, raised in a Christian household, was able to provide an insider’s perspective of the culture despite not being allowed to fully participate in it. This gave the novel a unique perspective that readers found intriguing.
How old is ikemefuna?
Ikemefuna is a fifteen-year-old boy who is taken in by Okonkwo and his family. The boy is given to Umuofia in exchange for the Umuofian woman Ikemefuna’s father murdered.
Okonkwo’s death comes because he realizes that he has failed both the people and their goddess, Ani. Though he has the spirit to endure misfortunes such as the loss of his yams during the drought that hit Umuofia, the traumas of exile, and the humiliation of imprisonment, he does so with others.
Final Words
1. “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements.”
2. “But man, who is the creature of an hour, cannot live except through his myths.”
3. “I have brought you a gift of great value… I want you to have it because it will make you a great warrior.”
4. “It is well that a man should praise himself for his strong sons and his beautiful daughters. But it is better still if he praises his ancestors for having begotten him.”
5. “The bramble grew so tall and thick that it choked the life out of the sun and the rain. And things began to fall apart.”
6. “All men are afraid in battle. That is what it is to be a man.”
7. “Men from afar came to buy his yams, and his fame as a wrestler spread even wider.”
8. “But a man who had killed had to cap his deed with something more, or he would be looked upon as a coward.”
9. “Love, which was to so many a matter for furtive glances and muffled laughter, was
While there are many sad and tragic quotes in Things Fall Apart, there are also many uplifting and hopeful ones. Ultimately, the quotes in the book show that life is full of both good and bad experiences, and that it is how we deal with them that matters.