Comparing Invictus And Things Fall Apart

The seventh chapter of Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart” presents a father murdering his own son due to his fear of losing his masculine reputation. Although it was necessary for Ikemefuna, the son, to be killed, Okonkwo, the father, was strongly advised to abstain from being part of the murder for obvious reasons. The situation in chapter seven causes readers to feel abhorrent. At the same time, Achebe’s tactful use of literary devices creates an atmosphere of suspense in this scene that captivates readers.

Everyone knows and learns about the winners in a situation and their story but one never cares to learn the other side, the losing side. In Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart cultural differences are the core of why things were destined to fall apart in Nigeria. Okonkwo, the main character of the novel has impacted the results negatively of the colonization of Nigeria’s territory. Umuofia is the home to many Igbo people but later would be overcome by the Europeans. Okonkwo with his very violent tendencies never wanted to appear as a weak person. Okonkwo denied failure because his father was a failure and he was determined to be the opposite. Never would he realize his stubbornness would cause failure for him and his community. Achebe has used the novel Things Fall Apart to demonstrate how colonization affected Nigeria and how conflicts and misunderstandings resulted from two cultures colliding.

Chinua Achebe 's Things Fall Apart portrays Africa, especially the Igbo society, during the pre- and post-European imperial era. This novel is about the tragic fall of Okonkwo, the protagonist, and the Igbo culture. Okonkwo is a strong and highly respected leader in the Igbo community of Umuofia. Things Fall Apart examines the demolition of African culture by the appearance of the white man in terms of the destruction of the connections between individuals and their society. Achebe also explains the role of women in this pre-colonial Nigerian community. The position of women in the novel is not respected or honored because they are not treated equally to men; they are overlooked, beat, and oppressed.

Sometimes readers may feel sympathetic for Okonkwo because of his inability control himself but most of the time, he deserves his faults. In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the author thought there was a lack of Nigerian colonization and wanted to show an accurate portrayal of the clash between the African culture and western ideas. His book showed two issues, one between Igbo society and another with an unknown culture to them, the British. Okonkwo’s flaw of anger and fear of weakness makes him corrupt because of his dad, Unoka. Therefore, it caused Okonkwo to start from poverty and then work to become the most well-known and wealthy person but slowly falls down. Chinua Achebe uses Okonkwo to portray the true nature of what happens when two cultures clash through misunderstandings and conflicts.

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is often regarded as the epitome of African literature, as it covers topics never before seen within the genre and paints the Igbo people as much more complex than previously assumed. Achebe provides the reader with a look into West African Igbo culture with well rounded characters and complex themes, and immerses audiences in a world to which they were previously unaware of. The novel revolves around Igbo tradition, part one being so steeped with culture and tradition is what helps the reader realize the severity of the British colonization. Once the reader becomes accustomed to Igbo terms and and traditions everything shifts as the Christians move in.

Of the many themes that appear in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, individuality versus nationality becomes a central topic as the story progresses and develops. With the invasion and colonization of the European missionaries, Okonkwo’s nationality and contributions to society are called into question. Achebe explains the idea of nationality over individuality by showing that society is the precursor to individuality. Examining the life of the protagonist, Okonkwo, before and after his resistance exemplifies this key idea in Things Fall Apart.

The novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, originally written in his native language Ibo, tells the tragic tale of an African pre-Christian tribe seen through the eyes of Okonkwo. Okonkwo became a very successful clan leader in his village, by working hard and refusing to be lazy like his father Unoka. Achebe uses irony to encourage character development, drive the contrast between Okonkwo’s dreams and his reality as others see him, and explain the culture’s beliefs in the way they treat women vs. the way women are revered.

Change is a reoccurring theme throughout history. It destroys and creates. It displaces and introduces. It can cause death and life. The movement of imperialism in Africa brought great change to the native tribal life. Forcing the indigenous people to turn away from their century-old traditions caused violent rifts between the European settlers and the tribes, as well as internal problems between once amiable members of the Ibo culture. With the introduction of the foreign Western Society in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the tribe’s life and ideals are drastically altered as the new ethics and principles collide with the old traditions and laws, causing the members of the society to either adapt or be crushed underneath the foot of colonialism. Achebe’s character, Okonkwo, was impacted immensely by the cultural collision, as his previous way of life was pulverized before his eyes, and he found no reason to live any longer.

Things fall apart is a novel written by Chinua Achebe. It is set during the late 19th, early 20th century in a small village named Umuofia situated in Nigeria. This time period is important because it was a period in colonial history when the British were increasing their influence economic, cultural, and political influence in Africa. The novel deals with the rise and fall of Okonkwo, a man from the village of Umuofia. It also explains the effect of the appearance of the British on the Igbo society in terms of the destruction of social connections. In this text, there are several passages in which their

“Invictus” is a lyrical poem that anticipates the audience to be those that persevere in the face of adversity. The lyrical poem contains four quatrains with a rhyme scheme: ABAB CHCH EFEF GBGB, an iambic foot rhythm and iambic octameter. Despite being written in the late 1800’s, it is one of the eminent poems in world literature, as the prominence of the poem is not only timeless but will always be relevant to the past, present and future. Through Henley’s manipulation of the poetic elements; figurative language such as metaphors, personifications, and imagery, as well as the tone and adds value to structure, the interpretation of the poem’s strong theme of ‘courage and resilience’ which is evident throughout each stanza.

Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart” chronicles the life of Okonkwo, a strong man whose existence is dominated by fear and anger, and the Ibo tribe, a people deeply rooted in cultural belief and tradition. As events unfold, Okonkwo’s carefully constructed world and the Ibo way of life collapses. The story of Okonkwo’s fall from a respected and feared leader of the Ibo tribe to an outcast who dies in disgrace dramatizes his inability to evolve beyond his personal beliefs, affecting the entire Ibo tribe beyond measure. The “things” that fall apart in Achebe’s novel are Okonkwo’s life – his ambition, dreams, family unity and material wealth – and the Ibo way of life – their beliefs, culture and values.

There are many recurring themes in the novel, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe; however, for the purpose of this paper a detailed analysis from a specific quote would be conducted. “The story of Okonkwo is in a way the story of our culture; he pays a price because he places too much emphasis on strength and manliness.” Strength and manliness can promote an array of translations in order to justify actions within the novel and within today’s American society. If it’s comparing an egotistical mindset of a character of this novel or certain beings that tend to portray these features, there are always certain characteristics that are consistent. It isn’t coincidental that strength is in association with manliness, however asserting these words in extreme forms of actions is far from powerful.

In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Nwoye, Okonkwo’s eldest son, faces an internal conflict throughout the story as a result of the pressure of forced gender roles and his father’s expectations which then motivates him to abandon his family. In Igbo culture, people are taught to act a certain way based on their gender from the beginning of their childhood. For instance, girls are taught how to cook and do domestic work while boys are taught to be violent and aggressive. Nwoye’s personality do not match with the gender roles that were assigned to him, therefore, he faces an internal conflict. “Nwoye knew that it was right to be masculine and to be violent,” Achebe writes, “but somehow he still preferred the stories that his mother used to tell” (Achebe 53). Nwoye’s desire to listen to his mother’s stories indicates that there is a part of his character that is thought to be sensitive and “womanly” in their society.

The only thing he (Okonkwo) fears most is not ending up like his father, Unoka. However, Achebe ‘‘makes an insightful comment on the nature of masculinity through his representation of the tribal leaders. Achebe basically, was conducive in creating four alter egos of Okonkwo: one of which were the masculinity; next of his fatherly abilities; and the last of his family progress and four of his likelihood of success’’ (Achebe.179). My paper will explain how Okonkwo’s Masculinity from Achebe’s Things Fall Apart will be characterized by his fears, beliefs, and emotions for several reasons.

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is a modern example of postcolonial literature and is one of the most influential pieces of its genre. Postcolonial writing presents important themes and lessons of justice, equality, and freedom that can be applied to present times. It reminds us of how important our freedoms are and why we need to protect them. The colonized write about their exploitation and show how there is persecution in their colonized society. Postcolonial authors use specific methods to undermine their colonizers and reveal their backward logic. Things Fall Apart has various examples of meta-narrative, decolonization struggles, and colonial discourse worked in throughout the novel. Chinua Achebe’s writing styles showcase these techniques to subvert his European colonizers.