The Importance of Chapter Seven In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart
Stephen Massey
November 19, 2004
The colonization of Nigeria by the British during the late nineteenth century brought an end to the cultural freedom of Igbo people. The invasion of the white man in Africa destroyed most of the cultural history of Nigeria. Chinua Achebe tries to reconstruct this culture for the post-colonial Nigerians with his novel Things Fall Apart. Chapter seven is significant to the themes of the novel as it examines the Igbo concept of masculinity and the father-son relationship, while also furthering the plot with key foreshadowing scenes. By examining the key points in this particular chapter, the reader will obtain a greater understanding of the novel, and how Achebe constructs his narrative.
In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, one of the most important themes in the novel is the Igbo depiction of masculinity. The Igbo believe a strong man to be a great man. Okonkwo deeply respects the traditions and customs of his tribe, and ensures that he is observed to be a strong, confident individual. He also wishes his son, Nwoye, to be “a tough young man capable of ruling his father’s household when he [is] dead…” (37). Chapter seven helps convey this theme through the use of proverbs as well as character development. Nwoye begins to display the masculine traits that his father pursues, by yearning to prove himself with the acceptance of traditionally masculine jobs like cutting wood. He also begins to disapprove of women and the childish tales they tell. This is relevant because it shows that Nwoye is finding his masculinity by oppressing those who are weaker than him, much like the white man exerts power over the Igbo people, and how his father controls those around him. Okonkwo believes that his son has finally proved himself, but once Nwoye realizes Ikemufuna is dead, he bursts into tears. Okonkwo is disgusted with this display of weakness and beats him. He sees crying as a feminine quality, and considers men to be above women. “No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man” (37). Okonkwo’s thoughts about the role of women are a powerful image that reinforces his desire for prestige, power and respect, which he chooses to obtain through his masculinity.
The relationship between father and son is a significant aspect to the novel’s overall development. Okonkwo’s fear of turning into Unoka plays a major role in his upbringing of Nwoye, and his influence on Ikemufuna. Chapter seven is a turning point for the interaction of these three characters. In this chapter, Okonkwo begins to show pride in Nwoye as he starts to take a more masculine role in the compound. This is mostly due to the guidance of Ikemufuna, and the great bond these two sons have created. Ikemufuna’s compassion towards others allows him to become the paternal figure that Nwoye has never had, and Okonkwo cannot be. Okonkwo recognizes Ikemufuna’s influence on Nwoye, and invites both of them to eat in his obi, which is a great privilege. This action of allowing the two young men to eat with him, not only shows Okonkwo’s approval of his son, but it also expresses Okonkwo’s acceptance of Ikemufuna as a son. Ikemufuna also realizes this bond with Okonkwo, as he is walking through the forest. “He could hardly imagine that Okonkwo was not his real father” (42). The fact that the impostance of their relationship is stated explicitly Ikemufuna enhances the gravity of Okonkwo’s actions. After Ikemufuna is struck by the first blow, he runs to Okonkwo begging for help, calling him “father.” Okonkwo delivers the fatal blow, killing Ikemufuna, so as not to appear weak in front of the other men. Once Nwoye realizes that Ikemufuna has been killed, he no longer trusts his father. This causes a rift between the two men and forces Nwoye to question his father and his excessive masculinity. This rejection of Okonkwo’s way of life creates an ironic parallel to Okonkwo’s rejection of his father, Unoka, as it shows that Okonkwo has inadvertently completed his goal. He has raised his son to be just like his father, as they both reject their fathers’ way of life.
Things Fall Apart is a well-crafted book that guides the reader to certain expectations and emotions. This is done as Achebe constructs certain plot elements that foreshadow later climaxes. Chapter seven contains two key events that contribute to many integral scenes in the latter part of the book. As Okonkwo, Nwoye and Ikemufuna are repairing the outer wall of the compound, the locusts arrive in Umuofia. In Igbo culture the locusts are not perceived as a bad omen, but as a tasty gift that arrives only once every generation. The locusts first come in a small group, and then a large swarm invades Umuofia. The swarm of locusts represents the later arrival of the white man, who first sent a messenger, and was followed by a larger group. This is confirmed in the second part of the novel: “… white men were on their way. They were locusts, it said, that first man was their harbinger sent to explore the terrain” (98). By the direct use of the word locust this is a clear link to the scene in chapter seven. The other major event in chapter seven that leads into future conflicts is the death of Ikemufuna. Once Nwoye has learned of Ikemufuna’s death he is reminded of when he overheard a baby crying from the Evil woods. These two instances force Nwoye to question his culture and its customs. Nwoye later refuses the Igbo and joins the Christian missionaries. The death of Ikemufuna also affects Okonkwo and the rest of the tribe. Okonkwo’s fatal blow delivered after he has called him “father,” displays Okonkwo’s ability to severe a paternal connection in order to maintain his self image. This resonates in his disowning of Nwoye after he joins the Christians and changes his name to Isaac. Okonkwo also creates a rift between himself and the clan after he disobeys advice given to him by Ogbeufi. He states it would be wrong for Okonkwo to go against traditions and play a hand in the death of Ikemufuna since, “He calls you father” (41). Okonkwo has already disobeyed a clan tradition by beating Ojiugo during the Week of Peace. This brutal act is a stepping stone in Okonkwo’s inevitable expulsion from the tribe. This death also hints at Nwoye’s later choice to join the missionaries as Ikemefuna is sacrificed for the good of the clan, and to prevent a future war between the two tribes.
Once the reader has fully grasped the concepts outlined in chapter seven, they will be able to analyze Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, with greater depth. The seventh chapter contains pertinent information to the development of the plot leading up to the climax in the latter part of the novel, as well as clearly displaying strong examples of masculinity and the paternal figure, as central themes in the novel. Chapter seven plays a pivotal role in the overall narrative of the novel, which displays the Igbo way of life, and how it was destroyed by the invasion of the white man.
November 19, 2004
The colonization of Nigeria by the British during the late nineteenth century brought an end to the cultural freedom of Igbo people. The invasion of the white man in Africa destroyed most of the cultural history of Nigeria. Chinua Achebe tries to reconstruct this culture for the post-colonial Nigerians with his novel Things Fall Apart. Chapter seven is significant to the themes of the novel as it examines the Igbo concept of masculinity and the father-son relationship, while also furthering the plot with key foreshadowing scenes. By examining the key points in this particular chapter, the reader will obtain a greater understanding of the novel, and how Achebe constructs his narrative.
In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, one of the most important themes in the novel is the Igbo depiction of masculinity. The Igbo believe a strong man to be a great man. Okonkwo deeply respects the traditions and customs of his tribe, and ensures that he is observed to be a strong, confident individual. He also wishes his son, Nwoye, to be “a tough young man capable of ruling his father’s household when he [is] dead…” (37). Chapter seven helps convey this theme through the use of proverbs as well as character development. Nwoye begins to display the masculine traits that his father pursues, by yearning to prove himself with the acceptance of traditionally masculine jobs like cutting wood. He also begins to disapprove of women and the childish tales they tell. This is relevant because it shows that Nwoye is finding his masculinity by oppressing those who are weaker than him, much like the white man exerts power over the Igbo people, and how his father controls those around him. Okonkwo believes that his son has finally proved himself, but once Nwoye realizes Ikemufuna is dead, he bursts into tears. Okonkwo is disgusted with this display of weakness and beats him. He sees crying as a feminine quality, and considers men to be above women. “No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man” (37). Okonkwo’s thoughts about the role of women are a powerful image that reinforces his desire for prestige, power and respect, which he chooses to obtain through his masculinity.
The relationship between father and son is a significant aspect to the novel’s overall development. Okonkwo’s fear of turning into Unoka plays a major role in his upbringing of Nwoye, and his influence on Ikemufuna. Chapter seven is a turning point for the interaction of these three characters. In this chapter, Okonkwo begins to show pride in Nwoye as he starts to take a more masculine role in the compound. This is mostly due to the guidance of Ikemufuna, and the great bond these two sons have created. Ikemufuna’s compassion towards others allows him to become the paternal figure that Nwoye has never had, and Okonkwo cannot be. Okonkwo recognizes Ikemufuna’s influence on Nwoye, and invites both of them to eat in his obi, which is a great privilege. This action of allowing the two young men to eat with him, not only shows Okonkwo’s approval of his son, but it also expresses Okonkwo’s acceptance of Ikemufuna as a son. Ikemufuna also realizes this bond with Okonkwo, as he is walking through the forest. “He could hardly imagine that Okonkwo was not his real father” (42). The fact that the impostance of their relationship is stated explicitly Ikemufuna enhances the gravity of Okonkwo’s actions. After Ikemufuna is struck by the first blow, he runs to Okonkwo begging for help, calling him “father.” Okonkwo delivers the fatal blow, killing Ikemufuna, so as not to appear weak in front of the other men. Once Nwoye realizes that Ikemufuna has been killed, he no longer trusts his father. This causes a rift between the two men and forces Nwoye to question his father and his excessive masculinity. This rejection of Okonkwo’s way of life creates an ironic parallel to Okonkwo’s rejection of his father, Unoka, as it shows that Okonkwo has inadvertently completed his goal. He has raised his son to be just like his father, as they both reject their fathers’ way of life.
Things Fall Apart is a well-crafted book that guides the reader to certain expectations and emotions. This is done as Achebe constructs certain plot elements that foreshadow later climaxes. Chapter seven contains two key events that contribute to many integral scenes in the latter part of the book. As Okonkwo, Nwoye and Ikemufuna are repairing the outer wall of the compound, the locusts arrive in Umuofia. In Igbo culture the locusts are not perceived as a bad omen, but as a tasty gift that arrives only once every generation. The locusts first come in a small group, and then a large swarm invades Umuofia. The swarm of locusts represents the later arrival of the white man, who first sent a messenger, and was followed by a larger group. This is confirmed in the second part of the novel: “… white men were on their way. They were locusts, it said, that first man was their harbinger sent to explore the terrain” (98). By the direct use of the word locust this is a clear link to the scene in chapter seven. The other major event in chapter seven that leads into future conflicts is the death of Ikemufuna. Once Nwoye has learned of Ikemufuna’s death he is reminded of when he overheard a baby crying from the Evil woods. These two instances force Nwoye to question his culture and its customs. Nwoye later refuses the Igbo and joins the Christian missionaries. The death of Ikemufuna also affects Okonkwo and the rest of the tribe. Okonkwo’s fatal blow delivered after he has called him “father,” displays Okonkwo’s ability to severe a paternal connection in order to maintain his self image. This resonates in his disowning of Nwoye after he joins the Christians and changes his name to Isaac. Okonkwo also creates a rift between himself and the clan after he disobeys advice given to him by Ogbeufi. He states it would be wrong for Okonkwo to go against traditions and play a hand in the death of Ikemufuna since, “He calls you father” (41). Okonkwo has already disobeyed a clan tradition by beating Ojiugo during the Week of Peace. This brutal act is a stepping stone in Okonkwo’s inevitable expulsion from the tribe. This death also hints at Nwoye’s later choice to join the missionaries as Ikemefuna is sacrificed for the good of the clan, and to prevent a future war between the two tribes.
Once the reader has fully grasped the concepts outlined in chapter seven, they will be able to analyze Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, with greater depth. The seventh chapter contains pertinent information to the development of the plot leading up to the climax in the latter part of the novel, as well as clearly displaying strong examples of masculinity and the paternal figure, as central themes in the novel. Chapter seven plays a pivotal role in the overall narrative of the novel, which displays the Igbo way of life, and how it was destroyed by the invasion of the white man.
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