60 years after ‘Things Fall Apart’

‘Things Fall Apart’ is a byword for modern African fiction. There are many plans across the academia and literary circles, all over the world to celebrate 60 years of this great African novel. But before we celebrate the work, let us also celebrate the author who is largely considered as the father of modern African literature. Chinua Achebe is the writer whose name is more familiar across world than many countries. In fact, many in some parts of the world came to know about Nigeria after coming across the works of Achebe. His works laid the foundation that gave African literature a direction. 

Some writers and critics consider ‘Things Fall Apart’ as the most outstanding work by Achebe. But the writer himself rather considered ‘Arrow of God’ as his favourite. Even fierce ‘orientalists’ acknowledge the pioneering role of ‘Things Fall Apart.’ In a more severe criticism V.S Naipaul was quoted saying something like, ‘Things Fall Apart’ was the only book Chinua Achebe wrote. Naipaul was implying that in his own view, all the works of Achebe that followed, have no worthy artistic qualities.

All the statistics favoured this novel published in 1958. Over 20 million copies have been sold and it never runs out of print. It has been translated into more than 50 languages. It is studied worldwide in Language, Literature, History and Anthropology. ‘Things Fall Apart’ was on the Time magazines’ list of 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005. It perpetually appears on all kind of lists, including the one called ‘100 Books To Read Before You Die.’

The themes, plot, and imagery of ‘Things Fall Apart’ need no introduction. Okonkwo is so familiar that people often spot his type in their societies. The tragic end of a strong man, trying all his life to distance himself from the shadow of his lazy, nonentity and chronic-debtor father is strongly poignant by all standards. While Okonkwo was flexing muscles and confronting the ‘white man’ and his power his people were cheering him up and encouraging him to go further. But when he committed the murder that was to be his nemesis, the very people cheering him up to ‘teach white man a lesson’ started asking: why did he do it?  

Okonkwo held sway at home with the firmness of a dictator. He lived on the notion that use of force can make things easy and possible. He sees life perpetually as a wrestling match from which he must emerge winner. Okwonkwo’s eldest son Nwoye lived with constant severe beating for showing traits of the laziness of his grandfather. The killing of Ikemefuna, as required by tradition was so painful that even the strongman in Okonkwo struggled through it. Through The District Commissioner, we saw racism and arrogant assumption that simplifies culture and traditions of the ‘conquered.’ Okonkwo doesn’t want to be seen as weak or feminine. Ironically, for a man who does many harmful things so that he will not be considered a ‘woman’ his favourite child is Ezinma – a girl. 

Obierika a close friend of Okonkwo is a figure of moderation; often questioning some traditions. Almost every character in this novel brings out more than the bitter encounter between primitive African society east of the Niger and the civilizing missionaries from Victorian court. There was a lesson in the consequences of fear, as there was in the danger of taking action at the prompting of cheering crowds; They can abandon you at the critical hour. There is a lesson in the consequences of following traditions without questioning them – where necessary. Falling ‘from grace to grass’ can happen as a result of a single decision or action.

Over the years ‘Things Fall Apart’ has been receiving reviews and criticism with varied perspectives. Some critics consider it a work not really judged for its quality but for its representation. It came onto the literary stage at a point in time when the western world was looking for anything, just anything to give them an idea of what African societies look. Achebe benefitted from that yearning – that vacuum – with ‘Things Fall Apart.’ Many supported this argument by pointing out that majority of praises for the novel are based not on its artistic qualities but on the penchant for the exotic; the story of turmoil in an African village at the dawn of colonial conquest.

The ability of Achebe (or is it mastery?) made it look effortless to transfer thought and symbolism from Igbo to English. Largely, one would not need a dictionary to progress from beginning to the end of the novel. The clarity and narrative coherence are both captivating and precise. The novel is full of Igbo proverbs and imagery that found fitting equivalents in English language. 

At 60, ‘Things Fall Apart’ raises questions about the relationship between the weak and the powerful, between destiny and expectations of the society on individuals. It also stands as a chronicle of the chaos that permeated many African societies at the dawn of colonial exploits. What can happen to a society stuck in tradition, oblivious of the inevitable need to change and make progress? Is it reasonable to be hostile to anything new or strange?

Celebrating ‘Things Fall Apart’ at 60 is also a good moment of contemplation on WB Yeats ‘Second Coming’ (1919). Each line may appear as if it was composed recently: 

“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”

One would wonder what was happening in other parts of Nigeria at the same time captured by Achebe in ‘Things Fall Apart’? Did other parts of Nigeria also had their moments when ‘things were falling apart’? Did other parts of Nigeria had their own versions of Okonkwo or The District Commissioner who wielded the big colonial stick? While this great African novel is clocking 60, this is the good moment of contemplation on the past, present and the future.

Sanusi wrote from Abuja.