PROSE

BACKGROUND, THINGS FALL APART

This novel, Things Fall Apart follow the life of Okonkwo meaning the great worrior born on the a great
market day. A very influential leader of the fictional Igbo clan of Umuofia. Things fall apart is split into
three parts;

a. Describing Okonkwo's family ,Personal life history ,Violent exterior and torture and the culture of the
Igbo man

The second and the third part introduces the influence of European colonialism and Christian
missionaries on Okonkwo's family and the wider Igbo community.

SETTINGS

the novel has its setting in the community of Igwedo in Umuofia kingdom. First publish in 1958.

CHARACTERS

Okonkwo:- a child born in a great market that is designed to be a warrior. He is the protagonist of the
novel has three wives and ten children and become leader of his clan. His father, Unoka was weak and
lazy, because of this Okonkwo resents him for his weaknesses and swore not to be feeble-minded like
his father. Okonkwo strives to make his way in a culture that traditionally values manliness.

Ekwefi a genuine wife. A wife that is very helpful to his husband. She was Okonkwo's second wife.
Although, she falls in love with Okonkwo in a wrestling match. She loves Okonkwo so much and does
everything to make him happy. She always receives severe beating from Okonkwo just like other wives;
but unlike them, she is known to talk back to Okonkwo.

Unoka a drunker, a child that is born to be poor. To born poor and die poor. Unoka is Okonkwo's father
who defiled typical Igbo masculinity by neglecting to grow yams, take care of his wives and children and
pay his debts before his dies.

Nwoye a child with a feeble-minded. Easily to be deceive. He is Okonkwo's son, of whom Okonkwo
worries, fearing that he will become like his grandfather Unoka. Similar to Unoka, Nwoye does not
subscribe to the traditional Igbo view of masculinity being equated to violence, rather he prefers the
stories from his mother. He is one of the early convert to christianity and his name was changed to Isaac
and act which Okonkwo views as a final betrayal.

Ikemefuna:- A child of circumstance. A paid for what he didn't know about. He is a boy from
Mbaino(Four kingdoms) tribe. His father murders the wife of an Umuofia man, in the resulting
settlement of the matter, Ikemefuna is put by the decision of the Umuofia authorities, Ikemefuna is
ultimately killed, an act which Okonkwo does not prevent, and even participate in lest he seems weak.

Ezinma beauty, the morning sun.

Obierika a child with a gold heart. a child with a good mind set

Chielo a child that is born to serve the gods.

Ogbuefi Ezeudo traditional king of peace

Amalinze a great wrestler. Behave like a cat

Mr Brown a white missionary

Mr Smith a white missionary