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Things Fall Apart Figurative Language Essay

1003 Words5 Pages

In the nonfiction novel, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, the author uses detail, figurative language to convey the tradition, religion and the ways of the Ibo people. The novel's protagonist Okonkwo is famous in the surrounding villages for being a wrestling champion, defeating a wrestler nicknamed "the cat". He is strong, hard-working, and strives to show no weakness. Okonkwo wants to dispel his father Unoka’s tainted legacy of being effeminate and cowardly. Okonkwo works to build his wealth entirely on his own, as Unoka died a shameful death and left many unpaid debts. He is also obsessed with his masculinity, and any slight compromise on this is swiftly destroyed. As a result, he is brusque with his three wives, children, and neighbors, and is wealthy, courageous, and powerful among the people of his village. He is a leader of his village, and he has attained a position in his society for which he has striven all his …show more content…

This event was very dramatic. In the midst of all of the confusion of Okonkwo coming back home from being away he sees that everything has changed. The British came and conquered the tribe, changed all of their customs, traditions, and well everything. There is a series of events that lead up to Okonkwo's suicide. Okonkwo decides to take action and kill one of the messengers that the commissioner sent to tell Okonkwo and his people to stop trying to rebel. And knowing that the commissioner was going to punish him, Okonkwo commits suicide. The consequence to Okonkwo killing himself is that he can not get a proper burial also it is a great disgrace to all of the tribe that a great man like Okonkwo had killed himself. This is a huge deal, Okonkwo was the leader of the Ibo people, he was their role model, strength and symbol. And the fact that he ended up like this is very dramatic and he can not even be honored for all of his hard work and

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1050 Words | 5 Pages

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