Sample Literary Devices Essay - "Things Fall Apart"
Things Fall Apart: Examining Literary Merit
In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the reader is taken on a literary journey to a Nigerian tribe, the
Umuofia, to experience first-hand the struggles of a warrior named Okonkwo. At first glance, the novel
appears to be written for a very specific audience: scholars familiar with Nigerian history, traditions, and
culture. However, upon further examination the novel reveals itself to be a striking chronicle of human
experiences, universal themes, and timeless struggles that appeal to every human, regardless of
familiarity with Nigerian culture. Taken as a whole, the novel appears to be much more than the sum of
its parts: syntax, diction, figurative language, imagery, repetition, and symbols. Things Fall Apart is a
novel with literary merit—and lots of it.
Part of the novel’s appeal lies in its compelling themes which strike chords that resound throughout
time and across linguistic barriers. The clash of cultures, the struggle with change, and fatal character
flaws are the main themes which Achebe’s novel probes. In order to sculpt a literary monument to the
human condition and these universal themes, the author, Achebe, employs a broad variety of literary
tools. Literary devices play a crucial role in enhancing the novel’s main themes and earning Things Fall
Apart its widespread acceptance as a quality piece of literature.
The clash of cultures is undoubtedly one of the most universal themes seen in literature. This cultural
clash can be seen throughout life and history anytime two groups of people hold differing views that
cannot coexist. Even today, Western and Eastern cultures—the U.S. and China are one example; the
Palestinians and Israelis are another—continue their struggles to reconcile dissimilar beliefs through
negotiation, and in some cases, armed conflict. Similarly, the European missionaries and the native
Umuofians struggle to coexist peacefully. However, the relationship between the Europeans and the
Umuofians is one-sided.
When the Europeans arrived in Umuofia, they brought Christianity with them but did not foist it upon
anyone; joining the church was entirely optional. But over time, the missionaries became increasingly
aggressive—even hostile—to the native Umuofian beliefs and culture. Slowly, the Europeans erode the
native beliefs and come to dominate the native society. Achebe expresses the effects of the missionaries
clearly through the repeated imagery of the tribal drums. The signature Umuofian drums are heard
many times throughout the story—until the Europeans arrive in the tribe—after which the drums are
heard no more. The tribal drums are a symbol of tribal unity. “The drums were still beating, persistent
and unchanging. Their sound was no longer a separate thing from the living village. It was like the
pulsation of its heart. It throbbed in the air, in the sunshine, and even in the trees, and filled the village
with excitement” (44). Any time Achebe mentions the sound of the drums, Umuofian society is
functioning properly. Every clansman knew his place and purpose in life; the tribe worked together,
functioning as a single unit. Indeed, the drums seemed to have Umuofia under a spell. “Old men nodded
to the beat of the drums and remembered . . . its intoxicating rhythm” (47). However, the constant
repetition of the drum imagery before the European missionaries arrive stands in stark contrast to the
lack of drums throughout the latter half of the novel.
After the Christian missionaries arrive in Umuofia, they immediately begin to evangelize the locals. One
method they used to captivate the tribesmen was to sing hymns. “Then the missionaries burst into song.
It was one of those gay and rollicking tunes of evangelism which had the power of plucking at silent and
dusty chords in the heart of an Ibo man” (146). And pluck at Umuofian hearts the missionaries did.
Achebe uses imagery of the “silent” and “dusty” Umuofian man’s heart being quenched by the Christian
music to demonstrate the European point-of-view. No doubt, the missionaries believed that they were
bringing salvation (water) to a savage people (living in the desert). When Okonkwo returns from his
seven year exile, he finds the Europeans dominating Umuofian culture—even controlling the Umuofian
government. The tribal unity has been shattered. Family ties—once so important in Umuofian society—
are now nearly meaningless. In this clash between tradition and change, change was the clear-cut
winner.
In addition to cultural clash, Achebe explores the theme of masculinity versus femininity, and in doing
so, reveals Okonkwo’s fatal character flaw: hyper-masculinity. Okonkwo is motivated by a desire to
prove himself superior to his father, who was cowardly and irresponsible and died a poor man with
many unpaid debts. He viewed his father as overly pensive, slow to act, and effeminate (womanly).
Therefore, Okonkwo adopts opposite traits; Okonkwo is rash, quick to act, and excessively violent
(Okonkwo associates violence with masculinity). Achebe uses figurative language like metaphors and
similes to compare Okonkwo to a fire. “. . . Okonkwo's fame had grown like a bush-fire in the harmattan
. . .” (1). Okonkwo gained power and importance in Umuofian society by burning lesser people as fuel.
Just like a brush-fire, Okonkwo’s fame, importance, and prestige grew stronger the longer he burned. He
continued to burn strong into adulthood. “. . . [The drums] filled him with fire as it had always done from
his youth. He trembled with the desire to conquer and subdue” (42). Okonkwo’s inner fire is what
allowed him to conquer Umuofian society and rise above the disgrace of his father.
As his fame and popularity increased, Okonkwo pursued his ideal of masculinity. Okonkwo constantly
distanced himself from anything even remotely feminine. He constantly reminded himself of his
masculinity and strove to make sure all his clansmen knew of it as well. “Okonkwo was popularly called
the ‘Roaring Flame.’ As he looked into the log fire he recalled the name. He was a flaming fire” (153).
The metaphor of fire is perfect to describe Okonkwo’s character, and yields a deep analysis of human
feelings and personality. Like a fire, Okonkwo is violent, and burns whatever he touches. In many cases,
he “burns” his own family. Throughout the novel, Okonkwo nags on his wives and son, beats his family,
and kills three innocent people—not to mention himself, as well. In many cases, he hurts his family for
trivial reasons. For instance, Okonkwo chastised and beat his son, Nwoye, for merely listening to his
mother’s stories. He beat Nwoye again when he discovered him helping women with their household
tasks. Okonkwo saw within Nwoye the same “effeminate” essence of his the father whom he hates so
much.
Although Okonkwo’s fiery personality is what allowed him to succeed in Umuofian society, his
destructive nature also led to his eventual suicide. As the Europeans gained influence and political clout
in the Umuofian government, Okonkwo saw his own power and influence at risk. When the Europeans
finally succeed in taking control of the government, then Okonkwo—like a fire without any fuel—dies, a
victim of his own nature. And this is the beauty of Achebe’s fire metaphor, which is seen throughout the
novel.
Ultimately, the success of Things Fall Apart as a novel of literary merit is due to Achebe’s use of universal
literary themes like self-exploration, change, tradition, cultural clash, and masculinity versus femininity.
No matter what language is spoken by the reader or what time period they come from, Achebe’s writing
about the human experience is relevant and meaningful. Of course, not all scholars agree with the
assertion that Things Fall Apart has literary merit. However, this is not important. Achebe’s skillful use of
literary devices like metaphor, simile, imagery, and repetition demonstrate the quality of writing.
Achebe’s understanding of the “human experience” demonstrates the relevance of theme. And the
number of copies of the novel sold (over two million worldwide) demonstrates the universality of the
story. It is safe to say that Things Fall Apart has earned widespread acceptance as a quality piece of
literature.