Essay Outline: Exploring Themes in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

This document presents an essay outline based on Chinua Achebe's novel, 'Things Fall Apart.' The outline begins with an introduction to the novel and its author, Chinua Achebe, highlighting its significance as a modern African novel. It provides a plot summary divided into three parts, detailing Okonkwo's rise, exile, and return, while also touching upon the impact of British colonialism and Christian missionaries on the Igbo community. The essay outline then explores key themes such as cultural identity, leadership, violence, masculinity, and historical context. It also includes a critical overview, discussing the novel's introduction of African pre-colonial culture to Western readers and referencing Robert M. Wren's analysis of Achebe's writing. Finally, it mentions critical perspectives by Nnoromeleme on Okonkwo's character and the hero's downfall. The outline includes references to relevant sources to support the analysis.

Running head: OUTLINE OF AN EASSAY BASED ON THINGS FALL APART
OUTLINE OF AN EASSAY BASED ON THINGS FALL APART
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1OUTLINE OF AN EASSAY BASED ON THINGS FALL APART
Introduction
Nigerian author Chinua Achebe is the author of the novel Things Fall Apart, which
was published in 1958. It got fame as the modern African novel written in English. The novel
is divided into three parts; the first part describes the protagonist Okonkwo’s life in the
context of the customs of Igbo society. The second and third parts describe the influence of
the Christian missionary and the British colonialism on Igbo community (Giltweasel.com,
2017).
Plot Summary
Part One- Okonkwo's Rise to Fame
The first part of the novel describes the rise of Okonkwo, the respected and the
wealthy warriors of the Umufia. In contrast to the lazy and cowardly man Unoka, who was
Okonkwo’s father, he became powerful warrior and clansman. In this section, the different
rituals and beliefs of this ethnic community has been described (Giltweasel.com, 2017).
Part Two- Okonkwo's Exile to Mbanta
In this section, when Okonkwo was in exile at Mbanta, the British empire started its
colonization and the Christian missionaries started converting the religion of the village
members to Christianity. Naturally, a confrontation occurred due to cultural clash and
Okonkwo’s son had converted and was disowned by Okonkwo (Giltweasel.com, 2017).
Part Three- Okonkwo's Return to Umuofia
In this section, Okonkwo returned to Umuofia with aspiration of reclaiming the
position of power however, Umuofia had been changed drastically due to arrival of British.

2OUTLINE OF AN EASSAY BASED ON THINGS FALL APART
At the end of the novel, the British arrested the Umuofian leader (Giltweasel.com,
2017).
Themes
There are number of themes in this novel namely, cultural identity, warrior leader,
violence and brutality and lastly masculinity (Kenalemang, 2013). The contradiction between
the cultural identity and the new tradition has been presented by the reaction of many
Africans presented in the novel. The character and actions of a warrior leader called
Okonkwo and his passion for leading his clan has been presented by detailed analysis
(Kenalemang, 2013). The writer depicted a world where violence and brutality are very
common though have some limitations like, war is started with the permission of God always.
The gender role and masculinity are deeply rooted in this novel (Kenalemang, 2013).
Historical Overview
The process of establishment of the colonial rule and its response are based on
historical evidences. The Europeans came to Africa and established their colony destroying
the culture of the African communities is an historical event that had been reflected in the
novel (Kenalemang, 2013).
Critical Overview
The novel introduced the African pre-colonial culture to the western readers in
opposition to the justification of the Europeans that in Africa there is no history, civilization
or government. This is the representation of a non-European point of view to the Europeans
(Kenalemang, 2013). In Robert M. Wren's classic study of Achebe's writing, the author stated
that Achebe portrayed an ordered society, which is based on a hierarchy of gods, ancestors,
elders, and families.

3OUTLINE OF AN EASSAY BASED ON THINGS FALL APART
Criticism
Nnoromeleme has argued that the heroic status among Igbo community is based on
the number of contradictions, which is presented, by Okonkwo’s social responsibility and the
ambition for power presented in him. Thus, the hero’s downfall is related with the status,
which he wanted to maintain as the heroic and warrior-type character (Kenalemang, 2013).

4OUTLINE OF AN EASSAY BASED ON THINGS FALL APART
References
Giltweasel.com. (2017). Retrieved 13 September 2017, from
http://www.giltweasel.com/stuff/Things%20Fall%20Apart.pdf.
Kenalemang, L. M. (2013). Things Fall Apart: An Analysis of Pre and Post-Colonial Igbo
Society.