Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe explores the impact of British colonialism on Igbo society through the life of Okonkwo, a respected leader. This teacher's guide provides educators with discussion questions, classroom activities, and supplemental texts to enhance understanding of the novel's themes and cultural context. It supports high school literature curricula, particularly for grades 9-12. Key topics include the clash of traditions, the role of women, and the effects of globalization. Ideal for teachers looking to deepen students' engagement with this classic work.

Key Points

  • Includes discussion questions and activities for teaching Things Fall Apart
  • Analyzes themes of colonialism and cultural conflict in Igbo society
  • Explores character development of Okonkwo as a tragic hero
  • Provides supplemental texts and resources for deeper understanding
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History of Africa
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History of Africa
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Things Fall Apart
A Novel
By Chinua Achebe
Teacher’s Guide written by Ashley Peltack
Penguin
Paperback | 9780385474542 | 224 pp | $14.00
Reading Level: Grades 6-12 + AP/IB
I N T R O D U C T I O N ———————————————————————————————————————
Things Fall Apart, the first book in The African Trilogy, explores the Igbo’s
encounter with British colonizers, beginning in the 1870s and enduring
through Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Achebe, as Kwame Anthony
Appiah describes in his foreword to the Penguin edition of the trilogy,
“explores three periods in almost a century of the AngloIgbo encounter: the
first arrival of the British in Things Fall Apart; the period of established
colonial rule around the time of [Achebe’s] own birth, in the Arrow of God;
and the last days of empire in No Longer at Ease.”
Things Fall Apart was published in 1958, prior to Nigerian independence, but
it depicts the then-precolonial Nigeria. The narration follows the character
Okonkwo, a hero who is “well known throughout the nine villages” and
whose “fame rested on solid personal achievements.” In the vein of an
Aristotelian tragic hero, Okonkwo’s pride leads to his downfall—despite his
respect and fame in the villages—when he clashes with missionaries.
N O T E T O T H E T E A C H E R —————————————————————————————————
Things Fall Apart supports the national Common Core State Standards
(CCSS) in Reading Literature for grades 9-10 curricula and is, therefore, an
appropriate novel to teach in grades 9-10, especially world literature
courses. While Things Fall Apart is an appropriate high school novel, the
narration contains physical violence to self and others.
Teacher’s
Guide
Includes: dIscussIon questIons,
classroom actIvItIes,
and lInks to resources
2
Teacher’s Guide to Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
NOTE TO THE TEACHER
(CONTINUED)
Of its literary merits, Things Fall Apart is helpful in analyzing form, theme, and
language and style. It is helpful, too, when discussing the effects of globalization
and the struggle between tradition and change.
• The African Trilogy—comprised of Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God, and
No Longer at Ease
• Anthills of the Savannah
• Chike and the River
• Collected Poems
• The Education of a BritishProtected Child: Essays
• Girls at War and Other Stories
• Home and Exile
• Hopes and Impediments: Selected Essays
• A Man of the People
• There Was a Country: A Memoir
POETRY:
• “The Journey of the Magi” by T.S. Eliot
• “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley
• “The Second Coming” by W.B. Yeats
• “Vultures” by Chinua Achebe
• “Telephone Conversation” by Wole Soyinka
• “Africa” by David Diop
• “Languages” by Carl Sandburg
• “AfroAmerican Fragment” by Langston Hughes
• “Prayer to Masks” by Léopold Sédhar Senghor
• “You Laughed and Laughed and Laughed” by Gabriel Okara
• “The White Man’s Burden” by Rudyard Kipling
• “The Black Man’s Burden” by H.T. Johnson
Fiction:
• A Prayer for the Living by Ben Okri
• The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Excerpts from Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
• “Genesis 22: 1-19” from the Bible
OTHER WORKS
BY CHINUA ACHEBE
SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS
TO
THINGS FALL APART
3
Teacher’s Guide to Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS
TO
THINGS FALL APART
(CONTINUED)
Nonfiction:
• How to Write about Africa by Binyavanga Wainaina
• “The Anthropological Unconscious or How Not to Talk about African Fiction” by
Ainehi Edoro
• “The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan
• “The Ugly Tourist” by Jamaica Kincaid
• “After Empire: Chinua Achebe and the Great African Novel” by Ruth Franklin
• “In Dialogue to Define Aesthetics: James Baldwin and Chinua Achebe” by
Dorothy Randall Tsuruta
• “I Am Not Just an African Woman” by Bunmi FatoyeMatory
• Excerpts from Orientalism by Edward W. Said
• “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell
• “The African Writer and the English Language” by Chinua Achebe
1. Structure, Technique, and Plot
a. Things Fall Apart begins with the quote from W.B. Yeats’s “The Second Coming”:
“Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
/ Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; / Mere anarchy is loosed upon the
world.” Analyze the quote’s relationship to the story, citing textual evidence from
both Things Fall Apart and “The Second Coming.”
b. The novel begins and ends in Umuofia. Describe how the village is mentioned in
the beginning and end of the novel, and consider the effect or purpose of
Achebe structuring the narrative as such.
c. Things Fall Apart is made up of three parts. How does the novel’s structure
reflect the life of the protagonist and of the Igbo society?
d. What is the point of view of the narrator and how does it contribute to readers’
understanding of conflicting cultures?
e. Achebe uses flashbacks to describe the relationship of Okonkwo and Unoka.
What do the flashbacks reveal about their relationship?
2. Character and Conflict
a. In an interview with James Baldwin and Dorothy Randall Tsuruta, Chinua
Achebe states that “the women in [his] culture are the center of [their] lives.”
How is this reflected or rejected in Things Fall Apart? What is the role of women
in the community?
b. How does Okonkwo achieve greatness, as defined by his culture?
c. How does Okonkwo differ from his father? Consider what the Igbo consider
feminine and masculine.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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FAQs

What are the main themes in Things Fall Apart?
The main themes in Things Fall Apart include the struggle between tradition and change, the impact of colonialism, and the complexities of masculinity and identity. Achebe illustrates how the arrival of British missionaries disrupts the Igbo way of life, leading to conflicts within the community and within Okonkwo himself. The novel also examines the role of women in Igbo society, highlighting their influence and the societal expectations placed upon them. These themes are intricately woven into the narrative, reflecting the broader historical context of Nigeria's transition during colonial rule.
Who is Okonkwo and what is his significance in the story?
Okonkwo is the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, known for his strength and achievements in the Igbo community. He is a successful farmer and a respected warrior, but his fear of being perceived as weak like his father drives him to extreme measures. Okonkwo's character embodies the struggle between traditional values and the changes brought by colonialism. His tragic downfall serves as a critique of rigid masculinity and the consequences of cultural disintegration, making him a complex and relatable figure in the narrative.
How does Achebe portray the role of women in Things Fall Apart?
In Things Fall Apart, Achebe presents women as integral to Igbo society, though often marginalized in a patriarchal framework. Characters like Ekwefi and their daughter Ezinma illustrate the strength and resilience of women, as they navigate societal expectations and personal struggles. The novel highlights women's roles in family dynamics, spirituality, and community life, showcasing their influence despite the constraints imposed by gender norms. Through these portrayals, Achebe challenges traditional views and emphasizes the importance of women's voices in the narrative.
What is the significance of the title 'Things Fall Apart'?
The title 'Things Fall Apart' reflects the central theme of disintegration within Igbo society as it confronts colonial forces. It signifies the collapse of traditional values, social structures, and familial bonds as the characters grapple with the changes brought by British colonization. The phrase evokes a sense of loss and chaos, paralleling Okonkwo's personal struggles and ultimate downfall. Achebe uses this title to encapsulate the broader historical context of Nigeria during the transition to independence, making it a poignant commentary on cultural upheaval.
What are some key symbols in Things Fall Apart?
Key symbols in Things Fall Apart include yams, which represent masculinity, wealth, and success in Igbo culture. The locusts symbolize the arrival of colonialism, initially seen as a blessing but ultimately leading to destruction. Additionally, the wrestling matches serve as a metaphor for the conflicts within the community and the struggle for power. Achebe's use of these symbols enriches the narrative, providing deeper insights into the characters' motivations and the societal changes occurring in the story.
How does the structure of Things Fall Apart enhance its themes?
The structure of Things Fall Apart is divided into three parts, reflecting the stages of Okonkwo's life and the broader societal changes in Igbo culture. The first part introduces Okonkwo's rise to prominence, while the second part depicts the arrival of colonial influences and the ensuing conflicts. The final part addresses the consequences of these changes, culminating in Okonkwo's tragic end. This tripartite structure effectively underscores the themes of tradition versus change and the personal versus the communal, allowing readers to grasp the full impact of colonialism on individual lives and society.

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