Fear In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

Achebe Chinua's ironic historical fiction novel, "Things Fall apart," discussed how fear of failure and of weakness dominated Okonkwo's life throughout the novel. This theme added a critical tone because of its demonstration of fear through the whole novel. Through the story, Okonkwo went from rags to riches in his society, gave him prestige throughout the clan, but everything fell apart when the white men interfered with his religion and culture. After he saw his clan would not fight back, he took it into his own hands, causing his own death. In "Things Fall Apart," Okonkwo was driven by fear and failure within his community. When Umuofia had changed, Okonkwo was unable to adapt to the new ways and everything had started too collapsed around him. His fear was lead by his childhood past and his father's reputation.

According to Achebe, "He was poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat" (5). Unoka was not capable to maintain his own family causing Okonkwo his fear and embarrassment of becoming like his father. Okonkwo, as a young man, had worked hard to get what he wanted. He had become a man of titles and fame, not like his father, Unoka. According to the text, "And indeed he was possessed by fear of his father's contemptible life and shameful death" (18). He had a father in which he did not inherit a barn nor titles and a pretty wife, but only fear and shame of being his