Analysis of Things Fall Apart

In the novel Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe includes a fable about a tortoise and his fatal demise. I feel that Achebe included this tale in order to foreshadow the fate of the novel's main character Okonkow. This fable is also used as a tool in order to display Okonkow's character to the reader, showing his tragic flaws which will eventually lead to his demise. Although Okonkow is seen as a "superman" among his tribe, his fear of failure becomes his driving force behind his tragic heroicness.

I feel that there are many similarities between the tortoise in the fable and Okonkow. "Tortoise saw all these preparations and soon discovered what it all meant…he was full of cunning" (Achebe, 96). This shows how the tortoise, like Okonkow, noticed that there was great importance to accomplishment, that the praise of others and inclusion in their activities was one of the most important achievements to strive for during his life.

Another display of Okonkow's character comes when Achebe states: "I am a changed man. I have learned that a man who makes trouble for others is also making it for himself" (97). This statement, made by the tortoise, is a direct reflection of the character of Okonkow, and also, in many ways, a direct reflection of the fear he holds with in him. Okonkow is haunted by the idleness and irresponsibility of his father. He dreads becoming what he viewed as a child, he is terrified that he will die an Agbala. This statement also shows that dispite his fear of becoming like his father, Okonkow is also trying to show everyone else that he is not destined for the same fate his father had. Okonkow strives to be the best in everything that he does, in wrestling, farming, village titles, and also in his family.