By Chinua Achebe
About Chinua Achebe
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Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born
the son of Isaiah Okafo, a Christian
churchman, and Janet N. Achebe
November 16, 1930 in Ogidi, Nigeria.
He married Christie Chinwe Okoli,
September 10, 1961, and now has
four children: Chinelo, Ikechukwu,
Chidi, and Nwando. He attended
Government College in Umuahia from
1944 to 1947 and University College in
Ibadan from 1948 to 1953. He then
received a B.A. from London University
in 1953 and studied broadcasting at
the British Broadcasting Corp. in
London in 1956.
Achebe’s Beliefs
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Unlike some African writers struggling for acceptance among
contemporary English-language novelists, Achebe has been able
to avoid imitating the trends in English literature. Rejecting the
European notion "that art should be accountable to no one, and
[needs] to justify itself to nobody," as he puts it in his book of
essays, Morning Yet on Creation Day, Achebe has embraced
instead the idea at the heart of the African oral tradition: that
"art is, and always was, at the service of man. Our ancestors
created their myths and told their stories for a human purpose."
For this reason, Achebe believes that "any good story, any good
novel, should have a message, should have a purpose."
Okonkwo, the Tragic Hero
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Okonkwo’s position in the community shows a sense of nobility,
authority, influence, or power.
Okonkwo has an “error, frailty, mistaken judgment, or misstep
through which his fortunes are reversed.”
Okonkwo is not perfect and makes this error as a result of
hubris or “overweening pride or insolence.”
Okonkwo’s punishment is harsh and arouses pity and empathy
in the reader.
Okonkwo’s family tree
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Unoka – Okonkwo’s father (who is dead)
Okonkwo’s 1st wife (name not given)
Okonkwo’s 2nd wife – Ekwefi
Okonkwo’s 3rd wife – Ojiugo
Okonkwo’s son – Nwoye
Okonkwo’s adopted son – Ikemefuna
Okonkwo’s daughters – Ezinma (favorite)
Obliageli
Nkechi
Settings of Things Fall Apart
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Umuofia – Okonkwo’s home village
Mbanta – village of Okonkwo’s mother
Abame – a nearby village
Mbaino – a nearby village
Evil Forest – cursed area, given to missionaries for
new church
The Oracle – place where the priestess interprets the
warnings or suggestions of the gods.