Things Fall Apart

1. Things Fall Apart • Chinua Achebe • Published in 1994 • Shadricka L. Page

2. Things Fall Apart tells two intertwining stories, both dealing with Okonkwo (Oh-Kawn-Kwoh), a tall and huge man of Nigeria, in the Ibo village. It starts with his conflict within himself. Second, Okonkwo’s life takes a huge turn, having to deal with saving his religion, and taking down the aggressive European missionaries.

3. “As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raised his machete, Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow. He heard Ikemefuna cry, “My father, they have killed me”. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.” Page 61 When I was younger, in elementary, I tried to swim out into the deep water at the beach. My older cousins told me that I could not do it because I was a punk, so to show them, I went all the way out into the water. I knew that I could not swim, but I was to concerned about proving that I was not scared. That may have been the dumbest thing that I have ever done.

4. “The priestess screamed, weather you are man or sprit, may Agbala shave your head with a blunt razor, and may he twist your neck until you see your hells. Woman go home but she could not.”Page 101&105 When my older brother went missing, my mother could barely eat, let alone sleep. She searched and prayed nothing could stop her, even when harm came her way.

5. “Okonkwo was deeply grieved. And it was not just a personal grief. He mourned for the clan, which he saw breaking up and falling apart.Page 183 I can remember as a child crying because my parents was arguing. I could see them breaking apart. It would hurt me because I loved them both, and I knew how strong the family was when then two was

6. “He had a slight stammer and whenever he was angry, and could get his words out quickly enough, he would use his fist”Page 4 Like okonkwo, I tend to get frustrated when I can not get my words out fast enough, so I tend to just blow up.

7. “Fear of failure and weakness. It was fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father.”Page 13 I fear of making the same mistakes that my biological mother had made. For example, having a child at a young age.

8. “Okonwo worked daily on his farms from cock-crow until the chickens went to roost. He was a very strong man rarely felt fatigue. Okonwo’s prosperity was visible in his household.”Page 13 Just like in my house hold, we work hard, when I come in from school, I help my mother with the daycare. I try to show no signs of weakness, nor laziness.

9. “Since I survived that year, he always said, I shall survive anything.” (his father stating), “ you have a proud heart. A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick it’s pride.” Page 24&25 I am strong when it comes to hard times, as a child, I had it rough, I don’t ask for sympathy, I am very strong mentally. My mom says that my pride will someday hurt me, but in my mind, my pride shows people how I am a survivor.