Theme - Things Fall Apart

This book has many different ideas that could be seen as "themes". One is, colonization of African clans is frowned upon by them, because while it's good that they are getting more cultured by learning English and practicing a different religion, it also is taking away from their true culture and who they are. Another big picture that can be taken from this novel, is how one must bring forth effort and pride in order for them and the rest of the clan to survive.


http://griffinenglish.wikispaces.com/Ibo+Overview+II
[...] his chi agreed. And not only his chi but his clan too, because it judged a man by the work of his hands" (Achebe 27).

Symbolism/ Figurative language

Things Fall Apart is known for many different uses of symbolism. in chapter 19, we can see this in the form of personification, "Sometimes the sun shone through the rain and a light breeze blew. It was a gay and airy kind of rain" (Achebe 163). obviously rain can't be gay, it's rain. But by Achebe choosing this word to describe the rain it creates this happy, chill vibe and sets the stage for something positive to happen -- foreshadowing. Another example can be seen in the same chapter, "Obiageil called her 'salt' because she said that she disliked water" (Achebe 164). In this case Ekwefi is being described as salt, which can be a metaphor or the salt is being personified.


http://www.rebekahcodlinart.co.nz/african-rain-oil-painting/
"Are you afraid you may dissolve?" (Achebe 164).

Imagery/ Plot Description

All throughout the book yams and fire are seen. While these seem like everyday object, Achebe has written them in a way that is crucially important to the plot of the story and creates a special type of imagery. Yams are present in all the chapters at least one time. While yams are a food source there is also much more meaning to it than just a sweet meal. For one, they are easy to grow and they can fill and support ones diet well, they also symbolize if you are "wealthy" or not. Sure yams are cheap, but they can actually be costly if one does not manage them properly and they could be out of a food source for a season if not farmed properly. We also see hints of fire throughout the book. Achebe describes Okonkwo as "[...] the roaring flame [...]" (153). Fire is a powerful heat source and provides many useful qualities, just like Okonkwo to his tribe.


https://www.pinterest.com/tfa2014ama/things-fall-apart-okonkwo/
"He saw himself and his fathers crowding round their ancestral shrine waiting in vain for worship and sacrifice and finding nothing but ashes of bygone days [...]" (153).

Proverbs/ Aphorisms

The African culture is one of many that uses proverbs to teach children and lessons about everyday tasks and living skills. Achebe captures this with the many proverbs throughout the book. We can see some of these in chapter 3, "[...] men have learned to shoot without missing, he has to learn without perching" (Achebe 22). Another illustration of a proverb can be observed in chapter 15, "Never kill a man who says nothing" (Achebe 140). Not only is this not wise but it will just prove how quick one is to do something like this without any thought.


https://www.emaze.com/@AOWTOOTR/Ibo-Religion
"You stay at home, afraid of your next-door neighbor" (Achebe 137).

Characterization

Achebe uses direct characterization to create Okonkwo's character and his personality. At the beginning of the book, we as the readers view Okonkwo as this strong, powerful man, we can see this in chapter 1 "He was tall and huge, and his bushy eyebrows and wide nose gave him a very severe look" (Achebe 3-4). Then throughout the rest of the book we see how be begins to break and "things fall apart" for him. When Ikemefuna is killed it really crushed him because even though he wasn't his real son he loved him very dearly and it was a great loss for him, and began to wish his daughter was a boy. We can see these mournful qualities at the beginning of chapter eight, "Okonkwo did not taste food for [2] days after the death of Ikemefuna. [...] he was so weak that his legs could hardly carry him" (Achebe 63).


https://prezi.com/mx7d5-6kr3lm/copy-of-things-fall-apart/

"Then something had given way inside him. It descended on him again, this feeling, when his father walked in, that night after killing Ikemefuna" (Achebe 62).

Quotation Analysis

Throughout the book many notable things have been said, whether it's a life lesson or a guide on how to become a better man. An example of this can be seen in chapter 4, "Okonkwo said yes very strongly, so his chi agreed. And not only his chi but his clan too, because it judged a man by the work of his hands" (Achebe 4). This quote is explains how the type of work that one does, will effect their impact on what others think of them. Another quote that illustrates the opposite effect, can be seen in chapter 3, "They were the lazy easy-going ones who could put off cleaning their farm as long as they could" (Achebe 22). As one can see this is shows those who will put off work, making them look irresponsible in others eyes.

http://www.keyword-suggestions.com/aWdibyB0cmliZSBuaWdlcmlh/
 "[...] because it judged a man by the work of his hands" (Achebe 4).

Syntax

In Achebe's book Things Fall Apart, the way that he phrases the sentences is very unique, because of how he uses simple and short sentences. An  example of this can be seen in chapter 3, " Go home and work like a man" (Achebe 18). While this is a short sentence, a lot is being said from it. In the clans one must bring forth hard work and sacrifice in order to survive. In watching an interview with Chinua Achebe, he was asked "What made you write the book in the way that you did?" and he replied to that by saying "I did not choose how the book would be written, the novel itself choose how it was going to be written" (http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=4467)


 
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/629660422391201794
"Eneke the bird says that since men have learned to shoot without missing, he has to learn to fly without perching" (Achebe 22).