THINGS FALL APART

By: Ian Turner, Claire Hood, Ryan Hall, Meghan Martin

Summary• “Things Fall Apart” is written in three different parts. Part one introduces the main characters,

everyday life, and house society works. Part one mainly talks about agriculture, holidays and seasons. Towards the end of part one is when the main character, Okonkwo, life starts to fall apart. He accidently kills a young boy and is exiled from his village for 7 years. In part two, the white men start to settle in the villages of Nigeria. They start to build churches and convert Igbo people into Christians. The culture Okonkwo once new is now dying. His son, Nwoye, converts to Christianity. In the end of part two and the beginning of part three, Okonkwos exile is over and returns to Umoufia. When he returns he notices everything is different. Okonkwo is determined to restore society and return everything back to normal.

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The flag on the left is the Igbo flag, and below is a cross representing Christianity. In part three of “Things Fall Apart”, there was a constant battle between these religions.

Igbo’s started converting to Christianity and it caused a large conflict.

Igbo traditional Religion and Christianity

Chinua Achebe (1958:123-125) gave us the first igbo description of the impact of that encounter between Igbo traditional religion and when Obierika said:

How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us. White man is very clever. He came quietly and peacefully with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.

The above words articulate the sentiments expressed by an Igbo elder after realizing how the new religion (Christianity) had gone in terms of winning converts and dividing the members of the clan. And it is true that henceforth things were never the same for the Igbo.

Artifact 3• ““Today the majority of Igbo are of the Christian belief. They are probably the largest group of Christians Today the majority of Igbo are of the Christian belief. They are probably the largest group of Christians

within the whole continent of Africa. Before Christianity was introduced, their belief system revolved within the whole continent of Africa. Before Christianity was introduced, their belief system revolved around one particular god, named Chukwu. The Igbos beliefs were once very tribal in nature. Although around one particular god, named Chukwu. The Igbos beliefs were once very tribal in nature. Although many of the smaller deities would compete among themselves, they would always stay within their realm many of the smaller deities would compete among themselves, they would always stay within their realm of activity. With Chukwu being seen as an all powerful and omnipresent God, representations, symbols of activity. With Chukwu being seen as an all powerful and omnipresent God, representations, symbols and sanctuaries can be found almost anywhere. Homes, compounds, buildings and even village parks and and sanctuaries can be found almost anywhere. Homes, compounds, buildings and even village parks and squares would display these depictions of Chukwu. Due to the diversity of the Igbo language, the squares would display these depictions of Chukwu. Due to the diversity of the Igbo language, the sanctuaries are referred to by many different names. CHI was seen individually and was personalized by its sanctuaries are referred to by many different names. CHI was seen individually and was personalized by its followers. The people believed strongly in ones ability to improve status in the present world or afterlife followers. The people believed strongly in ones ability to improve status in the present world or afterlife through change.”through change.”

• This article describes the life before Christians came to Africa and started converting Igbo people into This article describes the life before Christians came to Africa and started converting Igbo people into Christians. This describes the religion of Igbo people before the Christians arrived. It gives a summarized Christians. This describes the religion of Igbo people before the Christians arrived. It gives a summarized description of life before Christianitydescription of life before Christianity

Artifact 4• 1st Amendment- Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or

prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

• We chose to do this because in the book the Christians had told the Igbo people that all there gods were dead. Though the Christian didn’t say it directly, they didn’t want the Igbo people have any freedom of religion or speech. This relates to the book, because the first amendment grants them the freedom of religion and speech.

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• Christianity- the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies

• We put the definition of Christianity because in part three of the book there was a constant battle of Religion between Igbo and Christianity. By putting the definition it gives you a better understanding of what they are fighting over.

Artifact 6Letter to the Editor: Christianity embraces individuality

• Shadee, I respect your call for individuality, but I think you misunderstand that Christianity or any other religion can restrict you from it. When you said that you would make a "terrible Christian," because of your views and articles, I couldn't help but think that you are misunderstanding Christianity completely.

• This letter relates to Okonkwo in the book because it deals with individuality and the misunderstanding of Christianity. The Igbo people saw the Christians as evil and clever. They didn’t realize that the Christians were trying to help. Perhaps the Christians way of helping was not wanted, but none the less it was help.

Artifact 7Definition of Igbo religion

• Igbo religion distinguishes between three types of supernatural beings: God, the spirits, and the ancestors. Ndigbo believe that there is only one supreme being, who is variously known in different parts of Igboland as Chukwu, Chineke, Ezechitoke, Osebuluwa or Obasi di n'elu. Each name privileges certain attributes. He created the world and sustains it from above, and one of his praise names is "the one who is known but never fully known." Igbo parents honor Chukwu by naming their children in praise of his power.

• The reason we decided to put the definition of the Igbo religion is because in part three of the book there was a constant battle of Religion between Igbo and Christianity. By putting the definition it gives you a better understanding of what they are fighting over.

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• Chukwu - the infinitely powerful, undefinable, indefinable, absolute supreme deity encompassing everything in space and space itself, in traditional Igbo spiritual belief system and Igbo mythology. Linguistic studies of the Igbo language suggest that the name "Chukwu" is a portmanteau of the Igbo words "Chi" ("spiritual being") and "Ukwu" ("great in size").

• Ala – the earth-goddess, the spirit of fertility (of man and the productivity of the land).

• Igwe – the sky-god. This god was not appealed to for rain however, that was the full-time profession of the rain-makers, Igbo tribesmen who were thought to be able to call and dismiss rain.

• Imo miri – the spirit of the river. The Igbo believe that a big river has a spiritual aspect; it is forbidden to fish in such deified rivers.

• Mbatuku– the spirit of wealth.

• Agwo – a spirit envious of other’s wealth, always in need of servitors.

• Aha njuku or Ifejioku – the yam spirit.

• Ikoro – the drum spirit. Ekwu – the hearth spirit, which is woman’s domestic spirit.

• We thought it was important to include the gods that Igbo people had worshipped before the Christians came to illistrate the differences. Within Igbo socity there are more than one god to worship and pray to. However, within Christianity Jesus Christ is the only god and savior. Jesus is the only god Christian will worship. It seems to be quite and change from once worshipping many gods, and then worshipping only one god.

Artifact 91st Timothy 3:16

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh,was vindicated by the Spirit,was seen by angels,was preached among the nations,was believed on in the world,was taken up in glory.

• This quote is saying that Jesus is the almighty and is the true son. There are many who are mistaken as the almighty but are fake.

• This relates to the book because when the Christians came to Umuofia and Mbanta, they had told said that Igbo's people were fake and dead.

Artifact 10• “If you recognize Jesus as God Almighty, then you have SEEN the True Son. I don't want you

to believe on a fake Jesus, for there are many. This is why I tell you that Jesus is God Almighty. The Bible plainly teaches that Jesus is the manifestation of the Godhead to humanity...”

• This quote relates with the conversation of Mr. Brown and Akunna in chapter 21. Akunna tells Mr. Brown that the clan has only one god, Chukwu, who happens to be the creator of the world and the creator of the other gods. Mr. Brown replies that there are no other gods. The quote above reminded us of what Mr. Brown had told Akunna.

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Artifact 11• Quote- “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so

unlike your Christ.”• This quote relates to Christianity in the story by it saying "Your Christians are so

unlike your Christ". It relates to Okonkwo and his father. They are all different in some way and so they do not get along.

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You Should Read this…

• Because it is a novel that gets right into the story. It starts of by a boy who is embarrassed by his father Okonkwo because he is known as a thief. Okonkwo is his son and he is a mighty wrestler who is known for his amazing talents in wrestling. This is a novel about determination to not be something, leading to failure. Okonkwo ends up murdering someone and then killing himself. He tried so hard to not be like his dad he ended up being exactly like him. Its an exciting novel, leaving you curious about what’s going to happen next. Read this novel to find out what happens to Okonkwo at the end of the novel. Does he survive or does he change?

Female Criticism• In “Things Fall Apart” the treatment of women and the role of is a big issue. The women are

treated as objects and are traded for marriage. A suitors family will pay the woman’s family a price for her hand in marriage. A man will have more than one wife and each wife will cook his husband a meal. If a wife misbehaves, the husband is allowed to beat her until he feels like she has received enough. For example, in “Things Fall Apart” Okonkwo had beaten one of his wife severely because she had not cooked him a dinner. The treatment of women in this novel is very cruel and barbaric.

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