Plot

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a story about a man who grew up with a lazy father. His father had many faults and also many debts. The boys name was Okonkwo and growing up like this allowed him to see who he wanted to be when he became a father himself. Okonkwo has three wives and many children. His eldest sons name is Nwoye and he is nothing like Okonkwo. Nwoye is very lazy and for this reason Okonkwo and Nwoye always seem to butt heads. Okonkwo is worried that Nwoye will end up like his father and do nothing with his life. When a man in their village kills another, Okonkwo is rewarded with a 15 year old boy named Ikemefuna. Ikemefuna is like the son that Okonkwo never had, hard working, dedicated and loyal. However, after 3 years of living with Okonkwo and his family, Ikemefuna is killed because the Oracle said it must be done. The Oracle states that Okonkwo should not take part in the killing of Ikemefuna but Okonkwo ignores this and takes part anyways. At a funeral for a fellow tribesman Okonkwo's gun explodes killing at 16 year old boy and because killing a fellow clansman is a crime, Okonkwo is forced to take his family into exile for 7 years. After several years, 6 missionaries come to the tribe to preach the word of God. Nwoye leaves his father and family behind and follows the word of God. Because of this and because they are taking over their village, Okonkwo kills the leader with his machete. Soon after he realizes that his fellow clansman are not going to go to war and stand behind him and in the end Okonkwo hangs himself.

-Juliet Wright