 Chinua Achebe was born in 1930, in Eastern Nigeria.
His family belonged to the Igbo tribe. British
representatives that controlled Nigeria convinced his
parents to abandon their traditional religion and follow
Christianity. Achebe was brought up as a Christian, but
he remained curious about the more traditional
Nigerian faiths. He graduated from the University
College at Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1954.
 Achebe was unhappy with books about Africa written
by British authors such as Joseph Conrad because he
felt the descriptions of African people were inaccurate
and insulting. He composed his first novel, Things Fall
Apart (1959), the story of a traditional warrior hero
who is unable to adapt to changing conditions in the
early days of British rule.
 1966: numerous Igbos killed in N Nigeria, where they
had migrated in order to engage in commerce
 Biafra existed from 1967 to 1970
 Established by Igbos who felt they could not survive
within Nigeria.
 Fighting between Nigeria and Biafra broke out in
July, 1967.
 One million Biafrans died as a result of severe
malnutrition.
 During the years when Biafra attempted to break itself
off as a separate state from Nigeria (1967–70) Achebe
served as an ambassador to Biafra. He traveled to
different countries discussing the problems of his
people, especially the starving and slaughtering of Igbo
children. He wrote articles for newspapers and
magazines about the Biafran struggle.
Pre-Colonial Igbo People
Pre-colonial Igbo Political
Organization:
• Clan members held titles they earned
• Respected because of their
accomplishments
• They were not revered as kings or chiefs.
• Performed special functions given to
them by their assemblies, not to make laws.
Without a judicial authority the Igbo
settled matters of law by taking an
oath to a god. If the accused died
within a certain amount of time, he
was guilty.
The Igbo are a religious people who
believe in a benevolent creator usually
known as Chukwu.
The Igbo believe in the concept of Ofo
and Ogu, which is a governing law of
retributive justice. So that if you are
innocent you will be protected.
In addition, each person is considered
to have their own personal god or Chi
which is credited for both good and
bad luck.
There is a strong belief that the spirits
of one’s ancestors keep a constant
watch over the living, and must be
placated through prayer
Setting:
The novel is set during the late
1800s/early 1900s in a small village, Umuofia.
Umuofia is an Igbo village with very well defined
traditions. It is a village that is respected by those
around it as being powerful and rich.
Each person has a hut or obi that is
located in the center of a compound.
Each of the wives has a separate obi with
a shed for goats and an attached chicken
coop.
The main occupation of the men is sowing
and growing yams since yams are
considered the most important crop. The
women grew less significant crops like
coco-yams, beans and cassava.
Main Characters in
Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo
• An ambitious leader of the Igbo clan.
• Farmer as well as a wrestler.
• Still only in his thirties, he has three
wives and several children who all live
in their own homes in his village
compound.
• Resolved to erase the stigma left on
him by his father’s laziness and is very
successful growing yams.
• Treated with admiration and respect.
• Okonkwo is a man of action.
Obierika
Okonkwo’s close friend, he helps
him with the crops during his
period of exile, and keeps him
informed of the radical changes
taking place in the village. He is a
thoughtful man, who questions
the traditions of society. He is
also Maduka and Ekuke’s father.
Ekwefi
Okonkwo’s second
wife, she is the
mother of Ezinma,
her only living
child, whom she
will do anything
for even if that
means defying
tradition
Ezinma
Ekwefi and Okonkwo’s daughter, she is born after many
miscarriages and is loved and pampered by her mother.
She has a special relationship with Chielo, the woman who
acts as the voice of Agbala, the Oracle. Okonkwo is fond of
her and often wishes that ‘she were a boy.
Nwoye
Okonkwo’s son from
his first wife. He is a
sensitive young man
who, much to his
father’s dismay, joins
the Christian
missionaries.
IkemIefuna
A boy who is bought as
hostage from Mbaino, and
who lives with Okonkwo for
three years. He is a clever
and resourceful young man
yet comes to an unfortunate
end.
Chielo
The priestess of Agbala, the
Oracle of the Hills and
Caves, who carries Ezinma
on her back to the caves,
saying that Agbala wants to
see her.
Uchendu
Okonkwo’s maternal uncle with
whom he spends seven years of
his exile, along with his family.
What is ethnocentrism?
Ethnocentrism is the
belief that your culture is
superior to other
cultures.
Mark the
glossary on page
180 of your book.