QUESTION 1: WRITE A SHORT NOTE ON THE USE

OF PROVERBS IN THINGS FALL APART.

ANSWER:
Proverbs play a significant role in Chinua Achebe's novel
"Things Fall Apart". Throughout the book, proverbs are used to
illustrate the Igbo culture's wisdom, beliefs, and values. They
offer insights into the Igbo society's customs, traditions, and
worldview, serving as a way to convey complex ideas in a
concise and memorable way. The novel's setting is pre-colonial
Nigeria, and the use of proverbs in the novel reflects the
importance of oral tradition and storytelling in African culture.

One of the main functions of proverbs in the novel is to provide

a sense of continuity and connection with the past. The Igbo
society has a long oral tradition, and proverbs are an important
part of this tradition, passed down from one generation to the
next. The proverbs in "Things Fall Apart" reflect this continuity
and serve as a way to connect the present with the past.

Moreover, proverbs in the novel are also used to establish the

hierarchy of knowledge and wisdom in the Igbo society. For
example, Okonkwo is often praised for his ability to use
proverbs appropriately and effectively, which earns him respect
and admiration from his peers. On the other hand, those who
cannot use proverbs correctly are seen as less intelligent and
less wise.

Furthermore, proverbs are also used to convey a sense of

community and belonging. The Igbo society places great
importance on unity and togetherness, and proverbs are used
to reinforce this idea. They emphasize the interconnectedness
of the community and the importance of cooperation and
mutual support.

Proverbs are used to convey wisdom, moral lessons, and

cultural values. In "Things Fall Apart," proverbs are used to
provide insights into the beliefs and customs of the Igbo
people, the novel's protagonist Okonkwo, and his community.
Proverbs are often used as a way of resolving conflicts,
emphasizing the importance of community, and illustrating the
consequences of breaking societal norms.

For example, the proverb "When a man says yes, his chi says
yes also" illustrates the belief in the Igbo concept of a personal
deity, or chi, and the importance of individual agency and
responsibility. Another proverb "A child cannot pay for its
mother's milk" emphasizes the importance of reciprocity and
the interconnectedness of individuals within a community.

The use of proverbs in "Things Fall Apart" also underscores the

idea of the novel's title – the idea that change and
transformation are inevitable and that even the strongest
traditions can ultimately fall apart. As the novel progresses, the
use of proverbs shifts from emphasizing traditional values and
customs to reflecting the destabilizing impact of colonialism on
the Igbo community.

In conclusion, proverbs play a significant role in "Things Fall

Apart" as they provide insight into the Igbo culture's values,
traditions, and beliefs. They serve to establish a sense of
continuity with the past, establish a hierarchy of knowledge and
wisdom, and promote a sense of community and togetherness.
"Things Fall Apart," providing insights into the cultural values,
beliefs, and customs of the Igbo people. They are used to
convey moral lessons, resolve conflicts, and emphasize the
importance of community. Through the use of proverbs,
Achebe highlights the impact of colonialism on traditional
cultures and underscores the novel's central theme of change
and transformation.