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Summative Assessment
Summative Assessment
3) In things fall apart by Chinua Achebe, analyse how irony is used in the novel, and how that
irony can show a lot about a character without explicitly stating it. There are many forms of
irony, from the situational to the dramatic. Most of these forms can be found in “Things Fall
Apart”, a novel by Chinua Achebe that follows the story of Umuofia and our protagonist as the
country experiences massive changes. Our protagonist’s life is filled with a tale of “strength”, but
often, Okonkwo displays his true weaknesses which puts the contrast between his thoughts and
Firstly, Okwonko has displayed that he is truly not as strong as he says and his action
always seems otherwise. After the death of Ikemefuna, Okonkwo was unable to continue his
normal life, he struggled with even the simplest of tasks. This is shown at the beginning of
palm wine from morning till night…” and “He did not sleep. He tried not to think about
Ikemefuna, but the more he tried the more he thought about him.” This shows how Okwonkwo
deals with his guilt as all of the emotions and thought hits him. He was in a state of shock, not
being able to eat, walk or think straight. He had a depressive episode where he started drinking
similar to his father whom he tried to distance from, he lost himself and his determination while
wasting time away. The Quotes also show Okonkwo’s true weakness which is his mind. He is
filled with might and strength, yet he was not able to deal with his emotions and thoughts.
Furthermore, the irony of Ikemefuna’s death also reflects on his irrational spontaneous thoughts
Rattawit Sinsudtipong (Kamu) 1201
and action. Ikemefuna was “his favourite child”, he still decided with his own will to participate
in the killing of his son. He kept reminding himself that he was strong to try to get through his
feelings, “When did you become a shivering old woman?” Okonkwo asked himself. All for the
Secondly, the relationship between him and his family is filled with irony. Okonkwo
hated his father as can be seen in the first few chapters. Unoka, his father was seen as lazy and
heavily in debt, not able to support his own family. Okonkwo is ashamed of his own father and
it’s what drives him to work hard to become successful. Okonkwo did become successful and
was able to provide enough for everyone in his family. But in a turn of fate, his son left him and
decided to join the christians. In chapter 17 “...he left hold of Nwoye, who walked away and
had enough of his father and the way he was treated and so went to the school built by the
as his obsession with strength blinds him on what makes him a good father.
a man who is weak at heart, he takes pride in his achievements and strength and displays it at
every second he could, but yet he was not able to deal with complex emotions as well as not
used in “Things Fall Apart” is rich and abundant, it reflects on how physical strength doesn't