Things Fall Apart- The Meaning
Why the Book is Entitled Things Fall Apart
I believe that the title Things Fall Apart refers to the fact that without proper balance, things do fall apart. The notion of balance in the novel is an important theme throughout the book. Beginning with the excerpt from Yeats' poem, The Second Coming, the concept of balance is stressed as important; for without balance, order is lost. In the novel, there is a system of balance, which the Ibo culture seems to depend upon. It is when this system is upset that "things fall apart." Okonkwo, the Ibo religion, and ultimately, the Ibos' autonomy were brought to their demise by an extreme imbalance between their male and female aspects. These male and ...
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He had to borrow money in order to maintain this lifestyle, and was never able to pay it back. Okonkwo perceived this trait as an imbalance toward the female side in his father's character; staying at home and not using one's strength to provide for the family is what a woman does. In reaction, Okonkwo completely rejected his father, and also his own feminine side. It was this deep-rooted antipathy toward anything considered weak or feminine that played a key role in his eventual downfall. He became a great wrestler and warrior in his tribe, and began providing for his family at a very young age, while at the same time starting new farms and beginning to amass wealth. He was very successful, soon becoming one of the leaders of his tribe, with many wives and children. His big ambition was to become one of the powerful elders of the tribe, for what could be manlier than that?
Unfortunately, everything was not perfect. His son, Nwoye, seemed to not be showing the characteristics ...
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"Things Fall Apart- The Meaning." Essayworld.com. February 18, 2007. Accessed May 18, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Things-Fall-Apart-The-Meaning/60510.
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