Main Ideas in the Novel Things Fall Apart - Book Report/Review Example

Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” is an amazing novel written with such determination and dedication. It was globally published on the 1st January, 1959. Also, the book was written in Nigeria. As the writer himself belonged to Nigeria, the main idea to write “Things Fall Apart” was to make the world aware of the culture of his country in Africa and the impact of the process of colonization by the Europeans. All in all, it was a written reply by Chinua Achebe to the Western world and their beliefs about the Africans being uncivilized. He tried to show and uncover different things through his writing such as the novel Mister Johnson of Joyce Cary was a racist writing and the outcome of the European colonization. However, “Things Fall Apart” is supposed to be an answer to the novel “Heart of Darkness” which was written by Joseph Conrad. Things Fall Apart is a very good novel the way it has been written and published. The novel is crystal clear from the beginning till the end. It is written with complete honesty and clarity. Basically, they way it has been written, the plot or the theme of the novel begin and continue cleanly and nicely towards the closure with all the sub plots supporting the main theme and idea of the novel. Overall, Things Fall Apart is Chinua Achebe’s own perspective to look at the writing of the Europeans under his own culture. Hence, he wrote this novel with absolute clarity. The story revolves around Okonkwo who is one of the most prominent Umuofia leader. It is common observation that children tend to get inspired by their father. This inspiration motivates to follow their footsteps and become like them. The case was entirely different for Okonkwo as he was really ashamed of his father’s laziness and cowardice which eventually made him develop an entirely different polar personality. Throughout his life he works hard in order to make his distinct reputation and hence succeeds to do so. The theme behinds this amazing piece of work is hard work which certainly pas off like it did in Okonkwo’s case. The writer incorporates a brilliant and unique style to attract the readers and encourage them to work hard. There are specific criteria which judge a good novel and a bad novel. In my paper, I have to discuss at least five criteria which make “Things Fall Apart” a good novel. First of all, the chapters of a good novel should grow out of the story since the beginning rather than focusing only on the theme. Therefore, the book should be written in a manner that they not only enhance the story and its theme but it should have more emotions, reality, and life. This novel is about the Nigerian culture and a hard working man who is afraid of failure and having a reputation like his father. Due to his manliness and masculinity, he never opened his heart to anyone. Since the beginning, every chapter in the novel is intense and full of suspense as well for instance how Okonkwo worked hard to create his reputation in the world and how the murder took place, what were the consequences etc. Every person in the world has flaws. He was a leader of his tribe and the novel told that how a leader should be. He and his tribe were living under his terms and on his right ways rather than of those missionaries who came to teach them the right ways. The novel is exciting from the beginning till the end. The way it has been composed, he has unveiled many things in front of the world. Secondly, the theme of a novel should be broadly and openly to humans so that every men and women finds it interesting enough to read and review. This novel has several major themes which attracts the readers towards the novel. But the main theme is family strength, hard work, and change. These themes are so vivid and inspiring. Okonkwo was not proud of his father’s femininity and failure. He does not wanted him to be like his father so he strived harder and won titles for himself. However, he considered himself superior to other whatsoever. The second theme around which the novel revolved was “CHANGE”. Change as in colonization by the Europeans. Many conflicts brought on by these conflicts when the European came to these villages and areas with a new religion, way of living, right ways etc. It was hard for the tribesmen to adapt these changes because of the fact that what they knew before this was true all of their lives. Even then, Okonkwo’s tribe had their view and perspective on living a better life rather than what those missionaries were teaching. The whole novel revolves around these themes which are quite intense and interesting. A good novel is considered to be one of those in which the writing and written passages do not beat about the bush. They must be intense and to the point so that the specific situation is persuasive and interesting and clear as well. Things Fall Apart is written beautifully. Chinua Achebe’s writing is inspiring. The way this story has been plotted is clear and to the point from the beginning till the end. From the first chapter till the last, the story moves in a normal pace with such clarity that the readers don’t find it difficult to grasp the knowledge behind this idea and the book. About two-thirds of this novel is about the culture of Nigeria and how low lives Africans were living in that time. The novel is exactly to the point when it comes to the theme, plot overview, and the sub plots. All these parts support the whole story and idea behind the novel. Chinua Achebe’s novels and writings are inspirational. Another criterion which his novels fit perfectly is about being organized and tentative from the start till the end and the middle of the novel supporting the whole idea as well. Things Fall Apart is composed to the point from the first chapter till the last. It covers all the major themes as well as the minor themes with all the plots and its sub plots supporting the main theme and idea around which this novel revolves. He has written this novel in such a way that it is a reply to the Joseph Conrad’s novel “Heart of Darkness” and it is known as one of the greatest reply regarding Africa and the European colonization. His writing in this novel is crystal clear. Last of all, a novel should be authored in such a way that almost everyone, from ordinary education to the most high level education, a person can read anyhow. Things Fall Apart is the simplest yet most inspiring and interesting books. Since when one reads the novel, they should be able to easily understand it. One must understand the depth of each character easily and then can relate. Furthermore, all readers can easily understand as Chinua Achebe has used comprehendible language in the novel. The author has used an ironic and a tragic tone in this novel. Therefore, he has penned the novel in such a way that every men and women can easily understand the theme, motifs, and the story of this amazing novel. And at last the locusts did descend. They settled on every tree and on every blade of grass; they settled on the roofs and covered the bare ground. Mighty tree branches broke away under them, and the whole country became the brown-earth color of the vast, hungry swarm (Achebe, 40) Things Fall Apart is a brilliant piece of writing and it is inspiring as well. It has every quality that a novel should have which fulfills every criterion. Hence in a nutshell, Things Fall Apart is a very good novel as it fits perfectly in the general or any specific criteria which determines a good novel. There are further more points that could have been added but the five major ones are fulfilled by this novel, thus, it has proved to be a very good novel which all age brackets can enjoy. All in all, it is a very beautiful depiction of emotions, reality, and life. This was Chinua Achebe’s first written and globally published novel which was very much preferred and liked all over the world. However, it has been suggested that people in Africa should read this novel as well as the narrative paragraphs have deep reality and inspiration that it could make a better life of any human being. This novel not only motivates but encourages individuals to take an initiate as true pride lies in hard work, devotion and dedication. Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor Books, 1994. Print. Read More