Literary devices used in the novel things fall apart

Achebe has used the form of a novel to record the life and social norms and traditions of the igbo people before the arrival of. Achebes characterization in the novel is also very vivid. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Chapter 1 introduces the novel s protagonist okonkwo, a. It describes him as having the urge to work, and makes it seem, as if he can hardly make himself not work. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in things fall apart, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Two years later, obierika returns to mbanta to visit okonkwo, this time with news that the white missionaries have come to umuofia. Since achebe used things fall apart as his title, it can also be seen as the. Mar 31, 2014 in the beginning of the novel, okonkwo talks about when he beat amalinze in a fight. The novel also tells the story of okonkwo, a man of wealth and status who nonetheless has a tragic flaw fear of being perceived as weak which leads him to make many poor life decisions.

Literary devices are the tools authors use to help their story. Things fall apart interposes western linguistic forms and literary traditions with igbo words and phrases, proverbs, fables, tales, and other elements of african oral and communal storytelling traditions in order to record and preserve african oral traditions as well as to subvert the colonialist language and culture. These events are all the more painful for the reader because so much time has been spent in sympathetic description of igbo life. Simile comparison using like or as metaphor comparison that does not use like or as examples. Use of three literary techniques in things fall apart 123. In the novel, the traditional social structure of the igbo is challenged by the missionaries and the white court. Importance of literary devices of things fall apart by. This assignment contains examples of literary devices used in the novel things fall apart and guides students through the interpretation process.

Literary analysis of things fall apart themes masculinity okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. Exposition on the background of the novel things fall apart is one of the most influential novels of its time, both on a local and global scale. Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. Maybe you used imagery to help them picture what happened. Renaissance from its earliest beginnings in italy in the fourteenth century through the sixteenth century elsewhere in europe, with a shift in some countries to baroque. Expositionintroduction, rising action, climax, falling action or resolution. Since achebe used things fall apart as his title, it can also be seen as the thesis of his book. B yeats, which achebe quotes more extensively in the epigraph. In the beginning of the novel, okonkwo talks about when he beat amalinze in a fight. He first earns personal fame and distinction, and brings honor to his village, when he defeats amalinze the cat in a wrestling contest.

The literary periods and movements following the classical period are usually labeled as follows. Things fall apart themes, symbols, and literary devices. Colonialism is one of the major themes of the novel which is introduced in the later in the book. What kinds of literary devices are used in the novel things fall apart. He is physically strong with great strength in his character. The concept of chi is discussed at various points throughout the novel and is important to our understanding of okonkwo as a tragic hero. Sample literary devices essay things fall apart ap english. Setting the place and time at which a play, novel, or film is represented as happening. Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the texts major themes. Dec 27, 2019 things fall apart, chinua achebes classic 1958 novel of africa just before colonialism, tells the story of a world about to undergo a radical change. In order to fully understand the novel and its contents, it is important to look into the history of the novel that led to its publication. Throughout the novel, he strives very hard to shed the inherited laziness to assert his manliness.

His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper achebe. Literary devices play a crucial role in enhancing the novels main themes and earning things fall apart its. Things fall apart, chinua achebes classic 1958 novel of africa just before colonialism, tells the story of a world about to undergo a radical change. Characters in things fall apart with analysis literary devices. When okonkwo returns from exile to his village, christianity has already spread so far. Written at a time when dictatorships and totalitarian regimes were establishing a hold over much of the world despite the defeat of hitlers nazis in world war ii. He has put a knife on the things that have held us together and we have fallen apart. Okonkwo is a respected and influential leader within the igbo community of umuofia in eastern nigeria. Foreshadowing in the novel foreshadowing in the novel chinua achebe foreshadows the arrival of the colonists using the arrival of the locusts. Simile the similes used in the novel are very realistic and vivid.

Things fall apart is a novel with literary meritand lots of it. Set in nigeria at the turn of the 19th century, chinua achebes things fall apart chronicles the rise and fall of okonkwo, a powerful leader in the igbo tribe, as he fights against the turning tide of british colonialism. Okonkwo shivers as he remembers the last time the old man had visited him and advised him not to participate in the killing of ikemefuna. The phrase things fall apart is taken from the poem, the second coming by w. Literary analysis of things fall apart themes 1246 words 5 pages. Things fall apart literary terms flashcards quizlet. One method they used to captivate the tribesmen was to sing hymns. The literary elements of things fall apart by mara s. Okonkwo is the major character and protagonist of the novel, things fall apart. Sample literary devices essay things fall apart ap. A critical analysis things fall apart 1958 is a fictional novel by chinua achebe that examines the life the igbo tribe living in a rural village called umuofia in. Literary features of things fall apart by chinua achebe chapter 11 pg 70 achebe throughout the novel uses many different literary features literary features of things fall apart by chinua achebe chapter 11 achebe throughout the novel uses many different literary features to bring emphasis to certain points and equally to create a. As a result, the igbo people no longer have one set of social or moral rules to live by and the unity of the clan is.

Literary analysis of things fall apart essay 771 words. Nov 08, 2008 the literary periods and movements following the classical period are usually labeled as follows. It is used to describe okonkwos character trait of always being hardworking. When enzima and her mother started talking about a story within the novel, my initial reaction was something like oh, great. Literary features of things fall apart by chinua achebe. Sep 30, 2006 chinua achebes novel, things fall apart, is a tragic story about the rise and fall of okonkwo. Achebes writing style created a novel with rich literary techniques that are employed to a succinct manner.

It tells the story of an african clan being invaded by outsiders and falling to pieces. Pg 70 achebe throughout the novel uses many different literary features literary features of things fall apart by chinua achebe chapter 11 achebe throughout the novel uses many different literary features to bring emphasis to certain points and equally to create a plausible picture of what tribal life was like. Character, conflict, complication, crisisclimax, change, resolution. The tension about whether change should be privileged over tradition often involves questions of personal status. Jeff somers is an awardwinning writer who has authored nine novels, over 40 short stories, and writing without rules, a nonfiction book about the business and craft of writing. The second novel in chinua achebes masterful african trilogy, following things fall apart and preceding no longer at ease when things fall apart ends, colonial rule has been introduced to umuofia, and the character of the nation, its values, freedoms, religious and sociopolitical foundations have substantially and irrevocably been altered. Simile umuofia was like a startled animal with ears erect, sniffing in the silent, ominous air and not knowing.

Things fall apart is about the tragic fall of the protagonist, okonkwo, and the igbo culture. The clash of cultures is undoubtedly one of the most universal themes seen in literature. As a result, the igbo people no longer have one set of social or moral rules to live by and the unity of the clan is shattered. The literary devices and analysis chapter of this things fall apart study guide. Religion is threatened, umuofia loses its selfdetermination, and the very centers of tribal life are threatened. Furthermore, he reports that okonkwos eldest son, nwoye, is among them, which is.

Through the character of okonkwo, a man of prominence and stature in his village community, achebe depicts how issues of masculinity and agriculture interact with each other and affect the world of the novel. May 08, 2010 literary analysis of things fall apart. The importance of literary devices in things fall apart by chinua achebe. What literary devices does chinua achebe predominantly use in. In things fall apart the igbo society is dominated by gender roles. Literary analysis of things fall apart essay 778 words. Achebes introduction of new forms and language into a traditional western narrative structure to communicate unique african. The literary devices and analysis chapter of this things fall apart study guide course is the most efficient way to study the analysis of literary devices used in things fall apart. We can see an example of tragic irony in okonkwos suicide at the end of things fall apart. What kinds of literary devices are used in the novel things. As okonkwos tribe and even his own son fall away from tradition, okonkwo clings more desperately.

The figures of speech such as similes, personifications, antithesis, and rhetorical questions etc. One novel where we can see many different types of literary devices is in chinua. Chapter 20 pg 176 cultural intrusion causes a divide within a village showing the true ignorance of the missionaries. Similes and metaphors created by mara senecalalbrecht definitions. Today i will be discussing the utilisation of various literary devices to globalise themes within things fall apart. Learn literary terms english 12 things fall apart with free interactive flashcards. Elements of a plot a component or element of the plot of a story. In this lesson well look at the literary devices chinua achebe uses in things fall apart.

Get an answer for what kinds of literary devices are used in the novel things fall apart by chinua achebe. A study of the use of proverbs as a literary device in achebe. Chinua achebe has received numerous literary awards from around the world. Towards the end of the novel, we witness the events by which igbo society begins to fall apart. Things fall apart literary device interpretations by lee.

Analysis of the themes from the novel things fall apart, by chinua achebe, including the role of masculinity, agriculture, and change in the. The chi is an individuals personal god, whose merit is determined by the. Student will identify what literary device is used, how it is used, and interpret why the author is using it. Things fall apart themes, symbols, and literary devices thoughtco. The story takes place in umuofia, a cluster of villages in niger during the 1890s. From its very title, things fall apart foreshadows the tragedy which the novel. In things fall apart, nwoye is an important male role who disagrees with his culture and whether or not his cultural traditions are moral. What are some literary devices in things fall apart. Achebe is voicing his own opinion on colonization through obierika. Style in literature is the literary element that describes the ways that the author uses words the authors word choice, sentence structure, figurative language, and sentence arrangement all work together to establish mood, images, and meaning in the text.

Get an answer for what literary devices does chinua achebe predominantly use in things fall apart. In about two hundred words, explain how the literary devices. What kinds of literary devices are used in the novel things fall apart by chinua. However, as i read more and more into the story, i couldnt help but tie some things in that particular story to a possible end to the novel. Achebes literary allusion to yeats poem might deepen or extendby comparison andor contrastthe meanings of achebes title and his novel. Significance of the title of the novel things fall apart by. Choose from 251 different sets of literary terms english 12 things fall apart flashcards on quizlet. As you might guess from the title, things fall apart is a tragedy. In fact, it is an insult to call a man an agbala a woman. A critical analysis things fall apart 1958 is a fictional novel by chinua achebe that examines the life the igbo tribe living in a rural village called umuofia in nigeria during the early 19th century. The narrative technique in achebes things fall apart pen.

Things fall apart is a groundbreaking work for many reasons, but particularly because achebes controlled use of the igbo language in an english novel extends the boundaries of what is considered english fiction. Literary devices play a crucial role in enhancing the novel s main themes and earning things fall apart its widespread acceptance as a quality piece of literature. Chinua achebes novel, things fall apart, is a tragic story about the rise and fall of okonkwo. Husbands beat their wives just for bringing food a few minutes late.