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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Things Fall Apart summary
A Classic on the Reality of Change and Colonialism in Nigeria
7 mins
Brief summary
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a powerful African novel that explores the life of a Nigerian tribe before and after the arrival of colonialism, highlighting the consequences of cultural collision and the fragility of tradition.
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Things Fall Apart
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Part one
When Okonkwo was just 18 years old, he brought honor to his village by winning a wrestling match against Amalinze the Cat who’d been unbeaten for 7 years. Now, 20 or more years later, Okonkwo is wealthy and well respected even beyond the nine villages of the Umuofia clan.
Although Okonkwo’s father died ten years ago, he’s still haunted by his memory. His father was a spendthrift who’d spend any money he’d get on palm wine. When he died, he still owed many of his neighbors large sums of money. Luckily, among the Umuofia a man is judged on his own merit, not that of his father. Consequently, Okonkwo has become a wealthy farmer and an accomplished warrior. He also has three wives and eight children. But he’s worried about his eldest son, 12-year-old Nwoye, who he thinks is lazy. He tries to correct this by nagging and beating Nwoye constantly.
One morning, every Umuofia man is summoned to the marketplace. Some 10,000 men learn that one of the married women of Umuofia has been murdered by a neighboring clan, the Mbaino. To avoid war, the Mbaino agree to provide a 15-year-old boy and a virgin as compensation. The boy, Ikemefuna, belongs to the whole Umuofia clan, and the virgin replaces the murdered wife. Okonkwo is asked to look after the boy. In turn, he asks his first wife, Nwoye’s mother, to take him in.
Ikemefuna is very afraid. He’s been transported to the Umuofia but doesn’t even understand why. He tries to run away a few times but doesn’t know where to go. Nwoye’s mother is kind to him and eventually, he gets over his fear. He even becomes popular in the household. Soon Ikemefuna and Nwoye become inseparable. Okonkwo also grows fond of Ikemefuna but never shows his affection – to do so would be a sign of weakness. Ikemefuna begins to call him father and accompanies Okonkwo to meetings and feasts.
A few weeks after Ikemefuna’s arrival, the Week of Peace begins. During that week, Okonkwo’s youngest wife goes to a friend’s house to have her hair plaited but then fails to return in time to cook Okonkwo’s dinner. He’s angry and when she finally returns he beats her heavily. He’s forgotten it’s the Week of Peace and even when he’s reminded by his other wives, he continues to beat her.
That evening, Ezeani, the priest of the earth goddess calls on Okonkwo and tells him that he has done a great evil and that it could bring ruin to the whole clan. To make amends and ensure the earth goddess doesn’t punish them by stopping their crops from growing, Okonkwo must make a sacrifice. He does as he’s asked but has also lost the respect of the clan. They talk of nothing else for the whole Week of Peace.
Years have passed since Ikemefuna joined Okonkwo’s household. He’s become part of the family and Okonkwo is pleased that he’s also aided Nwoye’s development greatly. But the peace bringing their family together only lasts for so long. Unexpectedly, Ezeudu, the oldest man in Umuofia calls on Okonkwo and asks to speak to him in private. He tells him that Umuofia has decided that Ikemefuna must be killed and that Okonkwo mustn’t take part in the killing. It’s the Oracle of the Hills and Caves that has pronounced it, he says.
The next day, elders from the nine villagers call on Okonkwo and talk in hushed tones. Later, Okonkwo talks to Ikemefuna and tells him he’s going to be taken back to his village. Nwoye overhears, breaks down into tears, and is given a heavy beating. Ikemefuna can’t believe the news because the idea of his former home has become faint and distant.
The day after, the nine men return. Okonkwo and Ikemefuna set off with them and silence descends over the compound. At the start of the journey the men laugh and joke, but as they leave Umuofia they too fall silent. Some distance away, one of the men raises his matchet and lays a blow on Ikemefuna. Okonkwo looks away, but Ikemefuna cries out as he runs toward his father. Okonkwo doesn’t hesitate, he draws his own matchet and, so as not to appear weak, strikes Ikemefuna down.
When Okonkwo returns home, Nwoye senses that Ikemefuna is dead. Okonkwo, for his part in the killing, falls into a deep depression. But a few days later he visits his closest friend Obierika, and after some conversation to distract him from what he’s done, he begins to feel like himself once more.
Time passes until one day the ekwe – the drums – beat out a message: Ezeudu is dead. Okonkwo remembers that the last time he saw the old man was when Ezeudu told him not to have any hand in the death of Ikemefuna. A shiver runs down his spine.
Ezeudu’s funeral is attended by the whole clan. Drums beat, guns and cannons are fired. The men cut down trees, kill animals, and jump on walls and roofs. It’s a funeral worthy of a noble warrior. When the evening comes, the drums and the shooting intensify, and there’s a clashing of matchets as warriors salute each other. As darkness approaches and the time for the burial is near, there’s a cry and shouts of horror. Suddenly, there’s silence. In the center of the crowd lies the lifeless body of Ezeudu’s 16-year-old son. Okonkwo’s gun exploded and a piece of shrapnel has gone straight to the boy’s heart.
Okonkwo flees as the clan law forbids the killing of another clansman. His punishment is to be banished for seven years, after which time he can return. He gathers his things and his family together and they leave before dawn. When day breaks, men from Ezeudu’s quarter storm Okonkwo’s compound. They burn the houses, kill all the animals, and destroy the barn. They need to purge the land polluted by the killing of their clansman.
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What is Things Fall Apart about?
Things Fall Apart (1958) was the first in the African Writers Series of 350 books published between 1962 and 2003 which provided an international audience for many African writers. It tells the story of a respected leader of an Igbo community and the problems faced by the community as white men arrive and bring with them their laws and religion.
Things Fall Apart Review
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958) is a thought-provoking novel that sheds light on the clash between traditional African culture and the arrival of colonialism. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- The vivid portrayal of African customs and traditions provides readers with a deep understanding of a culture on the verge of change.
- Through the protagonist's journey, Achebe explores the complexities of identity and the consequences of cultural transformation.
- The book tackles universal themes of power, masculinity, and resilience, making it relevant and resonant across different cultures.
Who should read Things Fall Apart?
- Lovers of great story-telling
- Anthropology students interested in understanding the cultural and religious practices of the Igbo people of Nigeria
- History buffs interested in African history and the impact of colonialism
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Things Fall Apart FAQs
What is the main message of Things Fall Apart?
The main message of Things Fall Apart is the clash between traditional African values and the forces of colonization.
How long does it take to read Things Fall Apart?
The reading time for Things Fall Apart varies depending on the reader, but it generally takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Things Fall Apart a good book? Is it worth reading?
Things Fall Apart is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers insights into the complexities of colonialism and cultural identity. It is definitely worth reading.
Who is the author of Things Fall Apart?
Chinua Achebe is the author of Things Fall Apart.
What to read after Things Fall Apart?
If you're wondering what to read next after Things Fall Apart, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- Behave by Robert Sapolsky
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
- Difficult Conversations Don't Have to Be Difficult by Jon Gordon & Amy P. Kelly
- Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy
- Oedipus Rex by Sophocles