Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world. B. Yeats, "The Second Coming"It is from this excerpt of the Yeats' poem that Chinua Achebe chose the title of his novel, Things Fall Apart. The story is set in turn of the century Nigeria, at the lbo village of Umuofia. It is at the time of the British colonization of Nigeria, a time when life for some members of the lbo people did begin to fall apart. Achebe's novel presents a look at the complex nature of the lbo society. His writing also displays many notions of human nature. One concept is cultural misunderstanding. Another idea about human nature is how the flexibility or rigidity of one's character affects one's fate. Things Fall Apart also illustrates how the lbo practice of relegating certain members of their society eventually becomes a component in the destruction of the life they have always known. We also can see the theme of destiny throughout the novel. In many instances in Achebe's narrative, the need for equilibrium between individual needs andthe needs of the community is apparent. The combination of these themes with the authentic insight of the Nigerian Achebe, have made Things Fall Apart one of the classics of all literature.Achebe succeeds in painting a vivid picture of the complexity of the lbo society. He gives detailed descriptions of the social and family rituals of the lbo, such as the yearly Feast of the New Yam. Achebe also gives insight into the laws and trial processes of these people. Things Fall Apart also gives an excellent look at the marriage customs and religious practices of the lbo people, and the mechanism of shared leadership among this clan. All these components combine to give an excellent understanding of the lbo.Achebe illustrates many facets of the human nature in this work. The idea of cultural misunderstanding is app...
