Major Themes of the Novel Things Fall Apart

Introduction For many writers, the theme of a novel is the capricious force of the book during its creation. Even if the author doesnt consciously identify an intended theme, the creative suffice is directed by at least champion domineering idea a concept or principle or belief or purpose significant to the author. The theme often several themes guides the author by controlling where the story goes, what the characters do, what mood is portrayed, what style evolves, and what emotional effects the story will create in the reader.Igbo Society Complexity From Achebes own statements, we know that one of his themes is the complexity of Igbo society before the arrival of the Europeans. To support this theme, he includes detailed descriptions of the justice codes and the trial process, the social and family rituals, the marriage customs, food production and preparation processes, the process of share leadership for the community, religious beliefs and practices, and the opportunit ies for virtually every man to climb the clans ladder of success through his own efforts.The book may live been indite more simply as a study of Okonkwos deterioration in character in an increasingly unsympathetic and incompatible environment, but consider what would have been lost had Achebe not emphasized the theme of the complex and dynamic qualities of the Igbo in Umuofia. Clash of Cultures Against Achebes theme of Igbo cultural complexity is his theme of the clash of cultures.This collision of cultures occurs at the individual and societal levels, and the cultural misunderstanding cuts both ways Just as the uncompromising Reverend Smith views Africans as heathens, the Igbo initially criticize the Christians and the missionaries as foolish. For Achebe, the Africans misperceptions of themselves and of Europeans need realignment as much as do the misperceptions of Africans by the West. Writing as an African who had been Europeanized, Achebe wroteThings Fall Apartas an act of at onement with his past, the ritual return and homage of a prodigal on. By his own act, he encourages other Africans, especially ones with Western educations, to realize that they may misperceive their native culture. wad Related to the theme of cultural clash is the issue of how much the flexibility or the rigidity of the characters (and by implication, of the British and Igbo) contribute to their destiny. Because of Okonkwos inflexible nature, he seems bandaged for self-destruction, even before the arrival of the European colonizers. The arrival of a recent culture only hastens Okonkwos tragic fate.Two other characters contrast with Okonkwo in this regard Mr. Brown, the starting time missionary, and Obierika, Okonkwos good friend. Whereas Okonkwo is an unyielding man of action, the other two are more open and universal men of thought. Mr. Brown wins converts by first respecting the traditions and beliefs of the Igbo and subsequently allowing nearly accommodation in the conver sion process. Like Brown, Obierika is too a reasonable and thinking person. He does not advocate the use of force to counter the colonizers and the opposition.Rather, he has an open mind about changing values and foreign culture Who knows what may happen tomorrow? he comments about the arrival of foreigners. Obierikas receptive and adaptable nature may be more representative of the spirit of Umuofia than Okonkwos unquestioning rigidity. For example, consider Umuofias initial lack of resistance to the establishment of a new organized religion in its midst. With all its deep roots in tribal heritage, the community hardly takes a stand against the intruders against new laws as well as new religion.What accounts for this lack of community opposition? Was Igbo society more receptive and adaptable than it appeared to be? The lack of strong initial resistance may also semen from the fact that the Igbo society does not foster strong central leadership. This quality encourages individual initiative toward recognition and achievement but also limits timely decision-making and the authority-backed actions mandatory on short notice to maintain its integrity and welfare.Whatever the reason perhaps a combination of these reasons the British culture and its code of behavior, ambitious for its goals of native erudition as well as of British self-enrichment, begin to encroach upon the existing Igbo culture and its corresponding code of behavior. A factor that hastens the decline of the traditional Igbo society is their custom of marginalizing slightly of their people allowing the existence of an outcast group and keeping women subservient in their household and community involvement, treating them as property, and accepting physical nuisance of them somewhat lightly.When representatives of a foreign culture (beginning with Christian missionaries) enter Igbo territory and accept these marginalized people including the twins at their full human value, the Igbos tradi tional shared leadership finds itself unable to control its whole population. The lack of a clear, sustaining center of authority in Igbo society may be the quality that decided Achebe to croak his title from the Yeats poem, The Second Coming. The key phrase of the poems reads, Things fall apart the center cannot hold. Underlying the aforementioned cultural themes is a theme offate, or destiny.This theme is also played at the individual and societal levels. In the story, readers are frequently reminded about this theme in references tochi, the individuals personal god as well as his ultimate capability and destiny. Okonkwo, at his best, feels that hischisupports his ambition When a man says yes, his chi says yes also (Chapter 4). At his worst, Okonkwo feels that his chi has let him down His chi was not made for great things. A man could not rise beyond the destiny of his chi. .. .Here was a man whose chi said nay disdain his own affirmation (Chapter 14).At the societal level, th e Igbos lack of a unifying self-image and centralized leadership as well as their weakness in the treatment of some of their own people both previously discussed suggest the inevitable fate of becoming victim to colonization by a power eager to function its resources. In addition to the three themes discussed in this essay, the thoughtful reader will probably be able to identify other themes in the novel for example, the universality of human motives and emotions across cultures and time, and the need for balance between individual needs and community needs.