When ‘Things Fall Apart’

What is the true measure of a strong and successful man? For Okonkwo, it is winning wars and gaining the highest titles of the village. But that is not quite complete, for he has to despise soft and "womanly" attitudes, too.

Many, especially women, would surely loathe me if I say I sympathize with the man. But before judging me, go and read beyond the cover of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Then you’ll know why I feel sorry for a man who is so consumed by the fear of turning out like his father that his life is dominated by anger and fear that he might turn out like him. In his eyes, his father failed as a man because he was loose in his ways – with money, work and courage. His father found happiness in music and feasting, for "whenever he saw dead man’s mouth, he saw the folly of not eating what one had in one’s lifetime." So Okonkwo turned away from all that his father enjoyed, including appreciation of the folly, love and innocence of the young.

And indeed, his unwavering determination gave Okonkwo all the success that he aspired for. So revered was he even by the elders that they entrusted to him Ikemefuna, the young boy sacrificed by a neighboring village in exchange for the murder of a Umuofia woman by his clansmen, one of which was his father. How ironic. They say Okonkwo was fortunate that his people judge a man by his worth and not according to his father‘s. But how unfortunate for Ikemefuna.

Subtle irony creeping between the lines made this African literary classic engaging and relevant. Though Achebe’s story brims with respect for the indigenous culture of his ancestors – manifested by the village elders’ defiance against the missionaries who tried to change their ways – the author also commented, very explicitly, on the paradox of some of the traditions it embodied. Such as when an Umuofia elder attacked the Obodoani custom of casting a man who died on a Week of Peace into the Evil Forest without burial. But he does not abhor their clan’s practice of throwing into this same forest sick men and twins whom they consider damned by evil. But the most shining examples were Ikemefuna’s death and Okonkwo’s banishment from Umuofia.

When the Oracle of the Caves and Hills ordered Ikemefuna killed, Okowonko’s best friend advised him not to take part in it as the boy considered him as father. But Okonkwo decided it was his duty as one of the leaders of the clan to be among those who would carry out the god’s order. When he realized what they needed to do, Ikemefuna ran to him, calling him "Father," seeking refuge. But Okonkwo, afraid of being thought weak, hatched him. And though inside he was eaten with grief and guilt, to others, Okonkwo bragged about his latest show of "manliness."

But when he accidentally fired his gun and killed the son of the highest-titled man of Umuofia, he accepted his punishment and left the life he had painstaking built in Umuofia and took refuge in his motherland. There, though his industry gave him more barns of yam, it did not give him the satisfaction of his stature in Umuofia. So he despaired. When his uncle Uchendu noticed the state he was in, he told him why one of the commonest names they give their children is Nneka or "Mother is Supreme." For though a child belongs to its father, he said, it seeks sympathy in his mother’s hut when his father beats him in the same way that he finds refuge in his motherland when he is banished by his kinsmen from his fatherland. "Your mother is there to protect you. Is it right that you should bring to your mother a heavy face and refuse to be comforted? You duty is to comfort your wives and children," said Uchendo. But even then, Okonkwo longed for Umuofia and spent seven years in exile working and planning for a grand homecoming. But instead, when he came back, things were falling apart for Okonkwo. So the greatest irony became the life of Okonkwo himself, for the very nature that made him great was the same that brought him down. Okonkwo focused too much on the whole, the future that lies too far ahead that he forgot to appreciate the small but important things along his way.

Though it speaks of a culture that many in this modern time have forgotten and even criticize, the story remains true of man’s follies today. For how many of us can say we have always valued our relationship with our families, friends and fellowmen over our selfish ambitions? In this day of civilized justice, it may be true that we do not leave the sick, the dead and twins in the forest to die. But how many have we shunned for being lower than the mighty that we thought of ourselves? How many have we judged unworthy based on our superficial standards? How many can honestly say that they regard and respect women as their equal when every day women and children are molested and abused, even inside their own homes? And how many of us, the great men of this patriarchal society, adhere to the ability to control others as the measure of manliness? And how many men are like Ogbuefi Ndulue, one of the greatest and bravest men of the Ire village, who was of one mind with his wife that he could not do anything without telling her?

This book is indeed for every man, or men for that matter, who aspires for success and greatness. For this classic offers a very basic but deep understanding of human qualities that are indispensable if one wants to be truly happy, fulfilled and at peace with himself. This should be the true meaning of success.