Things Fall Apart Adversity

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart illustrates different struggles that each character faces, and how each struggle leads them to grow. Achebe exemplifies how one gains courage as a result of this. There are obstacles that one faces everyday, whether it be an internal conflict or something as radical as war. These adversities are not easy to come by, and one can’t just forget about it. They acquire courage and this attribute helps them become a stronger person in the future.Although one faces challenges throughout their life, one’s growth from their adversities gives them the courage to fight any obstacle.
First off, adversity gives us the courage to stay true to who we are. While Okonkwo serves his seven years in exile, a group of foreigners

Nwoye faces adversity with his father. All his life, Nwoye gives in to his father’s orders and follows them. He lives the life his father, Okonkwo, wants him to have because Okonkwo doesn’t want Nwoye to become like Unoka, lazy and wasteful. Even though Nwoye doesn’t like his father’s controlling ways, he abides to them anyway. Okonkwo continually thinks that his ways will keep Nwoye from becoming like Unoka, but his fear eventually works against him. Nwoye, after having to deal with his controlling father for so many years, eventually stands up to Okonkwo. Nwoye gives his father the silent treatment, and as Okonkwo continually yells at Nwoye to answer him, he just “stood looking at him and did not say a word” (132). At the end of the confrontation, Nwoye finally becomes fed up with his father’s treatment of him and “walked away and never returned” (132). Becoming independent, Nwoye takes a huge step towards becoming not only a man but a man of his own. The courage he finally gains from all the times his father tries to have Nwoye live the “better” life becomes worth it. Nwoye grows from having to succumb to his father’s needs and stands his ground to become independent of his father’s ways. Nwoye goes from a child to a man with that little bit of courage. Certainly, young Nwoye needs a father figure in his life, but his father doesn’t support Nwoye and makes him become something Nwoye doesn't want to

Through his hardships, Obierika exemplifies the meaning of this. When it comes time for Ikemefuna execution, Obierika doesn’t take part in the killing like Okonkwo and the other men. Thinking this will keep him from becoming like his father, Okonkwo participates in the execution to save his reputation. Obierika, on the other hand, decides not to. Okonkwo confronts Obierika and tells him that he should have participated in the killing. Okonkwo believes that saving his reputation has more importance than listening to any Oracle put before him. Disagreeing with Okonkwo, Obierika tells him that “I am not afraid of blood; and if anyone tells you that I am, he is telling a lie. And let me tell you one thing, my friend. If I were you I would have stayed at home” (58). Obierika stands his ground when he tells his friend of his decision. Not caring about what Okonkwo tells him, Obierika does what he believes is right. He listens to the Oracle that Okonkwo seems to not care about. In the end, Okonkwo suffers, while Obierika lives on happily. Even though Obierika knows that his choice could ruin their friendship, he still stands up to Okonkwo because stands for what he believes in and doesn’t give in. Of course Obierika still tends to serve others, especially Okonkwo, but nevertheless, in this situation, he holds to his belief in the Oracle and refrains from doing a wrong deed. As a result he gains the courage to hold