Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe involves the use of binary opposition as a narrative

technique to highlight the complexities of the social dynamics and humanly existence within the
Igbo society. Binaries such as male vs female, white vs black, civilization vs primitivism,
community vs individual and father vs son unfold the structure and the prevailing power
dynamics within the Igbo society. The binaries of male vs female, civilization vs primitivism and
father vs son will be discussed in this assignment. The dichotomy of male vs female unveils the
traditional gender roles in the Igbo society. The collision of the British colonizer with the Igbo
culture led to the conflicts forming the binary of civilization vs primitivism. Moreover, the
complex relationship between fathers and sons in the novel reflect the consequences of parent
child ties on generations.
Male vs Female:
The binary of male vs female is prevalent in Things Fall Apart and Achebe highlights the
patriarchal setup of the Igbo society. The male individuals in the novel enjoy authority over the
females in the Umofian society. Okonkwo, the protagonist of the novel is the prime example of
the concept of a man in that society. Aggression, beating and being unexpressive are some of the
traits which are regarded as the manly traits in the Igbo society. Okonkwo beats his wives and his
family mercilessly over trivial matters. As Okonkwo “beat her very heavily” at an instance for
not serving the food on time. Such an attitude reflects the authority of a man over a woman in the
Umofian society.
Moreover, Patriarchy is also prevalent in the Umofian judicial system. As Achebe states,
“the crime was of two kinds, male and female. Okonkwo had committed the female because it
had been inadvertent”. In the Umofian society, a crime committed accidently was termed as a
‘female’ crime while a crime committed on purpose was regarded as a ‘male’ crime. A person
who committed a male crime was exiled for seven years. Furthermore, food represented the
males and females in Igbo society. Yams were regarded as “a man’s crop” while coco yams and
cassava were women’s crops. Therefore, the binary of male vs female is visible in the novel
highlighting the gender roles present in the Igbo society.