The Unraveling of Tradition: A Review of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart

For Okonkwo, it is “kill or be thought weak.” This legendary novel is set in pre-colonial Nigeria, primarily across nine villages including, but not limited to, Umuofia and Mbaita. Chinua Achebe explores the traditional, cultural, religious, and social beliefs of the people of Umuofia with unflinching honesty. The book addresses themes of love, tragedy, famine, friendship, colonialism, Christianity, gender roles, and the quest for identity.

Okonkwo, afraid of resembling his idle and carefree father Unoka, is determined to prove his strength at all costs—even if that means taking a life, including that of someone he deeply cherishes. He rules his household with an iron hand and views emotion as a weakness. But when a looming new wave of change begins to sweep over Umuofia, one must ask: does Okonkwo’s strength still serve him?

From the beginning, Achebe reveals that sacrifice lies at the heart of Umuofia’s way of life. These include sacrifices to the land for a bountiful harvest, to the gods in thanksgiving, and to avoid war. These acts of devotion, though often costly, are sacred and strictly followed.

One moment that evoked deep sympathy, betrayal, and hurt for me was when Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna—“his own son.” I use quotation marks because although not biologically related, Okonkwo had come to treat Ikemefuna as his own. The emotional devastation is captured in this passage:

“As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raised his matchet, Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow. The pot fell and broke in the sand. He heard Ikemefuna cry, ‘My father, they have killed me!’ as he ran toward him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his matchet and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.”

Achebe writes with raw honesty about life in Umuofia before and after the arrival of colonialism and Christianity. Initially, many villagers believe the white man to be mad. None had ever seen a white man before he suddenly arrives, forcefully building churches, schools, prisons, and government offices throughout the nine villages. Those who resist are tortured, imprisoned, and burdened with exorbitant fines.

The culture Achebe paints is rich and deeply rooted in oral tradition. Elders ensure the younger generation learns the ways of the ancestors through storytelling around fireplaces. Men and women tell different types of stories. Women’s tales are clever, humorous, and entertaining, often with moral lessons, while men’s stories focus on war, valiant warriors, titles, and shame.

A particularly memorable story is told by Ezinma’s mother. She recounts how a cunning tortoise convinces birds to lend him feathers so he can attend their feast in the sky. Once there, he eats all the best food and leaves the scraps. Furious, the birds take back their feathers, leaving him stranded. The story ends:

“Tell my wife,” said the Tortoise, “to bring out all the soft things in my house and cover the compound with them so that I can jump down from the sky without very great danger.”

This tale reminds me how similar African traditions are across regions, with oral storytelling being a key method of preserving knowledge across generations. Achebe captures that perfectly.

Things Fall Apart is written in a simple, direct style, making it accessible and engaging. Achebe’s deep love for African literature shines through every sentence. This masterpiece transports the reader to ancient Umuofia, vividly bringing its characters and settings to life.

The story is relatable. For instance, practices like the prohibition of twins and the emphasis on virginity and fertility are common across many African cultures. Women are often treated as second-class citizens, valued mostly for childbearing and domestic roles. Even though they had other capabilities, men feared empowering them lest they be perceived as weak.

Achebe also does not shy away from illustrating the brutal effects of colonialism and how it tore apart once tightly knit communities. As the saying goes, history repeats itself. Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son, yearns for a simple life like his grandfather’s.

That said, some parts of the book feel rushed. For example, Okonkwo’s return from exile and the marriages of Ezinma and his other daughter are touched upon too briefly. Earlier, Okonkwo plans to take two new brides, but we never learn if he follows through or who his daughters eventually marry.

Still, after all is said and done, Things Fall Apart is well worth your time and money. It is a must-read for young teens and adults alike. If you are curious about the true way of life in traditional African societies—before and after the arrival of colonialism—this is a compelling, enlightening, and deeply human story.