Title: Things Fall Apart
Author: Chinua Achebe
TLDR: A powerful Igbo leader struggles to adapt to the arrival of colonialism and Christianity in his Nigerian village, leading to tragic consequences.
Part 1:
Chapter 1: The novel opens by introducing Okonkwo, a celebrated wrestler and wealthy farmer in the Igbo village of Umuofia. We learn about his intense drive to achieve greatness and avoid the shameful legacy of his father, Unoka, who was known for his laziness and irresponsibility. Okonkwo is a man of action, quick to anger, and ruled by fear of failure and weakness. He governs his household with a heavy hand, instilling discipline in his wives and children. At a village meeting, Okonkwo is chosen to care for Ikemefuna, a young boy given to Umuofia by a neighboring village as compensation for a crime.
Chapter 2: A town crier summons the men of Umuofia to a meeting in the marketplace. Ogbuefi Ezeugo, a respected orator, announces the murder of a woman from their clan in the neighboring village of Mbaino. Fueled by anger and a thirst for revenge, the clan decides to issue an ultimatum to Mbaino: choose between war or offer a young man and a virgin as compensation. Fearing Umuofia’s power, Mbaino chooses peace and sends Ikemefuna and a young girl.
Chapter 3: This chapter delves into Okonkwo’s past, revealing his difficult childhood and his relentless struggle to overcome his father’s legacy of poverty. We learn about Unoka’s visit to the Oracle, Agbala, who advises him to work harder instead of blaming his poor harvests on fate. Okonkwo, driven by shame and a determination to succeed, works tirelessly to build his own wealth and reputation. He remembers the wisdom of his father, who, despite his flaws, told him, “It is more difficult and more bitter when a man fails alone.”
Chapter 4: The chapter explores Okonkwo’s personality in more depth, highlighting his harshness, his strong sense of justice, and his deep-seated fear of weakness. It recounts his success in delivering Umuofia’s message of war to Mbaino, and how the fear he inspires contributes to his growing status within the clan. He is shown to be a man of contradictions, capable of both kindness and brutality. His friend, Obierika, is introduced, a man of thought and reflection who serves as a foil to Okonkwo’s impulsive nature.
Chapter 5: The village prepares for the Feast of the New Yam, an important annual celebration to honor the earth goddess, Ani, and give thanks for the harvest. Okonkwo’s fiery temper flares when his youngest wife fails to cook his afternoon meal. In a fit of anger, he beats her during the sacred Week of Peace, an act that is considered a grave offense against the earth goddess. He is reprimanded and fined by Ezeani, the priest of Ani, who warns him about the consequences of his actions.
Chapter 6: The second day of the New Yam Festival is marked by a wrestling match between Umuofia and a neighboring village. The entire village gathers at the ilo, the village playground, to witness the contest. The drums beat, creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. The match begins with young boys, showcasing the skill of Obierika’s son, Maduka, who wins with a swift and surprising move. The chapter portrays the communal spirit of the village and the importance of wrestling as a demonstration of strength and masculinity.
Chapter 7: Ikemefuna has settled into Okonkwo’s household, forming a close bond with Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son. He teaches Nwoye new skills and shares stories from his own clan. Okonkwo, despite his stern demeanor, grows fond of the boy, allowing him to accompany him to village events. The chapter contrasts Okonkwo’s harsh exterior with his inner capacity for affection. Okonkwo’s transgression during the Week of Peace and the subsequent punishment are discussed among the villagers, with Ogbuefi Ezeudu, the oldest man in the village, explaining the history and significance of the sacred week.
Chapter 8: A rare event occurs in Umuofia: a swarm of locusts descends upon the land. The villagers, remembering that locusts are edible, rejoice and collect them as a source of food. Okonkwo enjoys the bounty with his sons and his friend, Obierika. During this visit, Ezeudu informs Okonkwo that the Oracle has decreed Ikemefuna must be killed. Ezeudu advises Okonkwo not to participate in the boy’s death. Okonkwo is shaken by this news, but hides his feelings, torn between his fondness for Ikemefuna and his fear of appearing weak.
Chapter 9: Ezinma, Okonkwo’s daughter, falls seriously ill, causing her mother, Ekwefi, great anxiety. The chapter reveals Ekwefi’s tragic history of losing nine children in infancy, and the belief that Ezinma is an ogbanje, a child who repeatedly dies and returns to its mother’s womb. It recounts the painful memory of digging up Ezinma’s iyi-uwa, a special kind of stone believed to be the link between an ogbanje and the spirit world. Okonkwo, deeply fond of Ezinma, joins Ekwefi in caring for the sick child and hopes she will survive.
Chapter 10: A village court is held at the ilo, presided over by the masked spirits known as egwugwu, who represent the ancestral spirits of the clan. The egwugwu, shrouded in mystery and wielding considerable authority, settle disputes and maintain justice. Uzowulu brings a case against his wife’s family for taking her back after he beat her severely. The chapter provides a detailed account of the judicial process, highlighting the importance of tradition, oral testimony, and communal judgment in Igbo society.
Chapter 11: One night, Chielo, the priestess of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves, is possessed by her god and calls for Ezinma. Okonkwo tries to reason with her, but she insists that Agbala wants to see the child. Fearing for her daughter’s safety, Ekwefi follows Chielo as she carries Ezinma through the night, heading toward the sacred caves. The chapter builds suspense as Ekwefi, driven by motherly love, confronts her fears of the dark and the unknown to protect her child.
Chapter 12: Obierika celebrates his daughter, Akueke’s, uri, a significant part of the marriage process where the bride-price is negotiated and a large portion of it is paid. Relatives from both families gather at Obierika’s compound, bringing gifts and celebrating the union. The chapter provides a glimpse into the social customs and traditions surrounding marriage, highlighting the importance of kinship ties and communal participation in such events.
Chapter 13: The chapter opens with the solemn sound of the ekwe, the wooden drum that communicates news throughout the villages. Ezeudu, the oldest man in Okonkwo’s village, has died. His funeral is a grand affair, befitting a warrior and man of title. During the frenzy of the funeral, Okonkwo’s gun accidentally explodes, killing Ezeudu’s son. This unintentional act is a grave offense against the earth goddess, and Okonkwo is forced to flee to his motherland, Mbanta, for seven years. His compound is destroyed by his fellow clansmen as punishment and to cleanse the land.
Part 2:
Chapter 14: Okonkwo and his family arrive in Mbanta, the village of his mother’s kinsmen. They are warmly welcomed by Uchendu, Okonkwo’s uncle, who offers them land to build a new compound and start farming again. Okonkwo, despite his gratitude, struggles with the feeling of starting over in a new land, far from the place where he built his reputation. He finds work no longer brings him the same satisfaction, haunted by the memory of his exile and the loss of his position in Umuofia. The chapter introduces the theme of motherland as a place of refuge and solace in times of trouble.
Chapter 15: Two years into his exile, Okonkwo is visited by Obierika, who brings news from Umuofia and money from the sale of Okonkwo’s yams. Obierika recounts the arrival of white missionaries in Umuofia and their attempts to convert the villagers to their new religion. He also tells a harrowing story about the destruction of the village of Abame, where the villagers killed a white man and his “iron horse” (bicycle), only to be massacred in retaliation by other white men. The news disturbs Okonkwo, who feels frustrated by his inability to fight against these changes.
Chapter 16: The missionaries arrive in Mbanta, led by a white man and a group of Igbo converts. They hold a meeting in the marketplace, preaching about their god and denouncing the traditional gods as false. While some villagers mock and dismiss their message, others are intrigued. Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son, is deeply affected by the missionaries’ hymns and stories, feeling a sense of relief and finding answers to questions that have troubled him for years. He secretly attends their services, drawn to the new religion.
Chapter 17: The missionaries are granted land in the Evil Forest, a place where the clan buries those who died of contagious diseases and powerful fetishes. To everyone’s surprise, the missionaries thrive, building their church and winning converts. Nwoye, increasingly captivated by Christianity, eventually declares his intention to join the missionaries in Umuofia, where they have established a school. Okonkwo, enraged by his son’s “betrayal,” disowns him, filled with grief and anger.
Chapter 18: The new church in Mbanta faces internal conflict over the question of admitting outcasts, known as osu. Mr. Kiaga, the Igbo interpreter and leader of the church, insists that all are welcome before God, despite resistance from some converts who fear social repercussions. Meanwhile, Okoli, a convert, is accused of killing the sacred python, a revered symbol of the water god. He falls ill and dies, reinforcing the clan’s belief in the power of their traditional gods.
Chapter 19: The clan, angered by the killing of the sacred python and the growing influence of the new religion, decides to ostracize the Christians, forbidding them from participating in communal life. The Christians, led by Mr. Kiaga, remain resilient in their faith, finding strength in their community. Okonkwo, having served his seven years of exile, prepares to return to Umuofia, determined to rebuild his life and reclaim his position in the clan.
Chapter 20: Before leaving Mbanta, Okonkwo holds a large feast to thank his mother’s kinsmen for their hospitality and support during his exile. He reflects on the importance of kinship and the strength of tradition, expressing his fear that the younger generation is losing sight of these values. The chapter highlights the tensions between tradition and change, foreshadowing the conflict that awaits Okonkwo upon his return to Umuofia.
Chapter 21: Mr. Brown, the white missionary, takes a different approach to spreading Christianity in Umuofia. He focuses on building a school and a hospital, earning the respect of some clan members for his tolerant attitude and his efforts to understand their beliefs. He engages in philosophical discussions with Akunna, a respected clan leader, exploring the differences and similarities between their religions. However, Mr. Brown’s health deteriorates, and he is forced to leave Umuofia.
Part 3:
Chapter 22: The Reverend James Smith, a new missionary, arrives in Umuofia, replacing Mr. Brown. Unlike his predecessor, Mr. Smith is uncompromising in his condemnation of traditional beliefs and practices. His rigid approach and fiery sermons empower the more zealous converts, including Enoch, who is determined to eradicate “heathen” practices. The tensions between the Christians and the clan escalate.
Chapter 23: During the annual ceremony in honor of the earth goddess, Enoch, in a display of fanaticism, unmasks an egwugwu, a sacrilegious act that deeply offends the clan. The outraged masked spirits retaliate by destroying Enoch’s compound and then setting fire to the church. Okonkwo, witnessing the destruction, is momentarily pleased by the clan’s assertion of their traditions, but a sense of foreboding hangs in the air.
Chapter 24: The District Commissioner, the representative of the colonial government, returns to Umuofia and learns about the destruction of the church. He summons the leaders of Umuofia to his court, intending to discuss the matter. Okonkwo and the other leaders, expecting a negotiation, arrive armed with machetes. However, the District Commissioner, enraged by their defiance, orders their arrest. The men are humiliated and beaten in prison, highlighting the brutality and injustice of the colonial system.
Chapter 25: After the clan pays the heavy fine imposed by the District Commissioner, Okonkwo and the other leaders are released. The experience leaves them deeply shaken and filled with resentment. Okonkwo, unable to bear the shame of his imprisonment and the growing dominance of the white man’s power, calls for war against the colonial administration. However, the clan, aware of the white man’s superior firepower and fearing another massacre like the one in Abame, refuses to fight. Okonkwo, deeply disillusioned and seeing his world crumbling around him, commits suicide, a final act of defiance against the forces that have irrevocably changed his life and the fate of his clan.