Things Fall Apart is a classic novel written by Chinua Achebe in 1958. It is set in Africa and follows the life of Okonkwo as he watches his home being colonized by the British, and his life and culture fall apart as a result. The themes in the novel are plentiful and diverse. But which are the major themes in Things Fall Apart?
A theme is a central, universal idea, lesson, or message explored in a literary work. Themes are so important in literature because they connect the reader to the author through the relatability of the message. They are the heartbeat of a story, weaving emotions and tones that connect us to its core.
List of major themes in Things Fall Apart If you have read the classic novel Things Fall Apart, you must be curious about its major themes. Things Fall Apart is exceedingly successful in portraying powerful themes to its readers. Here are some of the themes explored in the novel.
- Theme of the tradition in the novel Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo values the old traditions because they hold the community together. He is horrified to see new customs being imposed on the Igbo people. But, the young people in the Igbo community are happy to break away from the old traditions after converting to Christianity. They question the ancient traditions and avoid the traditional ceremonies. There is so much tension in the Igbo community. Members are in a dilemma about whether to stick to their old traditions or embrace change. As the story progresses, the traditional Igbo way of life slowly erodes. The end result is the downfall of the Igbo tribe.
- Theme of conflict in Things Fall Apart
Throughout the novel, the theme of conflict is the driving force for actions that create the plot. The major conflict is between African indigenous cultures and European colonial administrations. Conflict arises when the colonists urge the Igbo people to abandon their religious traditions. This doesn’t go over well with the people and creates conflict.
- Theme of power in Things Fall Apart
Power is one of the major themes. Chinua Achebe chronicles Okonkwo’s journey as he experiences a rise and descent in power. He is a very powerful and influential member of the Igbo community. Okonkwo is well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. He is obsessed with power and is willing to declare war on any culture that can reduce their power. Unfortunately, he loses his power, possessions, and respect when the Igbo people embrace the British way of life.
- Theme of fear in Things Fall Apart
The theme of fear is evident in the scene where missionaries introduce Christianity to the Igbo community. There is so much fear in the community because the people don’t want to anger the gods and cause bloodshed. Fear is also evident in the life of the main protagonist, who is haunted by it. Okonkwo is afraid of becoming a failure, and he does not want other people to think that he is weak. He lives his life with the fear of becoming just like his father, and this fear puts pressure on him to be better.
- Theme of masculinity in Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo portrays masculinity. His life clearly demonstrates what it means to be a man in Igbo society. He takes responsibility for protecting and preserving the family name. Okonkwo is rigid in his adherence to masculine values. He believes his father was weak, effeminate, lazy, ignominious, and poor and strives to be strong and masculine. He feels his adopted son, Nwoye, is not masculine enough because he does not wrestle like the other men in the clan. Okonkwo considers such kind of tenderness as a sign of weakness. His sophisticated understanding of masculinity drives Nwoye away from the family, and he converts to Christianity. Masculinity controlled Okonkwo’s life, influencing all his decisions and ideas.
- Theme of colonization in Things Fall Apart
Colonization is one of the major themes in the novel. The novel follows Okonkwo’s life as he watches his home being colonized by the British. The British travel to Okonkwo’s community and slowly destroy the Igbo culture and traditions. The British colonists imposed new customs, laws, religious teachings, and education systems, which completely changed the lives of the Igbo people.
- Theme of religion in Things Fall Apart
Religion is one of the themes in the novel. The Igbo people have their own religious beliefs that have been transferred from one generation to another. When the British missionaries arrived in the region, they considered these religious beliefs barbaric and introduced new customs. In the beginning, the Igbo people were reluctant to accept these beliefs. However, as time progressed, they started following the missionaries and shifted to Christianity. The local Christian converts became rebellious, and they did not adhere to the religious traditions of the Igbo people.
- Theme of gender in Things Fall Apart
When you read the novel, you get a clear understanding of the gender roles in the Igbo community. Men and women have different roles and responsibilities in the society. Women are required to be reproductive and to submit to their husbands. On the other hand, men are expected to be strong and forceful. Conflict arises when some women, like Ekwefi, challenge traditional gender expectations.
Final word on major themes in Things Fall Apart There you have it. A list of all the major themes in Things Fall Apart. The major themes in the novel are colonialism, religion, masculinity, gender, power, conflict, and fear. These themes change throughout the story and help the reader fully understand the novel’s meaning.
Source: Tuko News