Things Fall ApartA Review of a Book by Chinua Achebe

Since there was no specific topic to write about in response to this novel, I am simply going to explain the main points of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. There are two major components that I found compelling in the book. First was the development of the main character, which I think is Okonkwo. I feel that the reader develops a better interpretation of him as he/she goes through the story. In addition, I felt that there was a valuable difference between this novel and any other story about European invasion in a territory occupied by natives: this story is told mostly from the perspective of the villagers instead of the Europeans. These devices play an important role in making this book an interesting piece of literature.

The reader learns early on what drives Okonkwo's character. His harsh actions and brutal beatings are fueled by his fear of weakness, which is what he believes of his father. Okonkwo did not want to follow in his families footsteps, because they lead nowhere. He forges his own path by doing the complete opposite of his father. He became famous when he threw Amalinze the Cat, "the great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten, from Umuofia to Mbaino," (pg.3). At the beginning of the story, I remember feeling proud for Okonkwo and I admired him for his success even though his father was such a failure. I think that my view of him has changed. Okonkwo's father, Unoka, may not have been such a failure. He seemed to find his own enjoyment from life, which was different from that of most people. Okonkwo, in his embarrassment, abandoned that notion. In this way, his life was more of a joke. In the end, we realize that Okonkwo is rather insecure and needs his reputation to be good. He does not fail to be unlike his father, but he is unable to create himself in his own vision. He is afraid that his true character will not be accepted, not to mention respected, in the clan. His whole persona is a trick, and by the last page, his true identity is revealed.