In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe penned what would forever be an African Classic—a canon of sorts, maybe even a book of prophecy, a reference not only for Nigerians but indeed for all of Africa.
The book's proclamations continue to ring true today, making it one of the most relevant works of literature for the understanding of the history and evolution of Black African politics and society.
As you'd expect, such a significant book is littered with tons of memorable quotes. Here are some of the most thought-inspiring Things Fall Apart quotes:
The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.
This is perhaps the most significant quote in the books, as it spotlights the transformative impact of colonialism and the introduction of Christianity to African societies.
Today, many post-colonial African societies face an identity crisis. They struggle to balance traditional values with modern influences. As expected, the struggle regularly plays out in political, social, and religious spheres across the continent.
There is no story that is not true, [...] The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others.
Here, we see how it's possible to have multiple valid truths and perspectives in culture. The lesson is quite straightforward, too—from Hausa to Kikuyu, Zulu, Tswana, and Fante, it's important to recognize that truths in other cultures are just as valid.
Age was respected among his people, but achievement was revered. As the elders said, if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings.
Here, we see the Igbo society’s dual respect for age and achievement. Okonkwo embodied this principle. Though young, his achievements in wrestling and farming earned him respect and status.
In Things Fall Apart, Achebe depicts a society that values success through personal effort and hard work.
When a man is at peace with his gods and ancestors, his harvest will be good or bad according to the strength of his arm.
Despite his father's reputation, Okonkwo's success is partly attributed to his relentless hard work, demonstrating the practical application of this belief.
This African philosophy is explored in Things Fall Apart, with the suggestion that relying solely on spiritual favor without hard work is insufficient.
We do not ask for wealth because he that has health and children will also have wealth. We do not pray to have money but to have more kinsmen. We are better than animals because we have kinsmen. An animal rubs its itching flank against a tree, a man asks his kinsman to scratch him.
Over the decades, African society has become radically individualized. There's a frenzy to make capital gain overriding, with this need taking priority over family, communal relationships, and even health.
Things Fall Apart reveals the importance of not throwing away socio-communal values. We see the benefits of balancing the striving for material needs with the need to maintain human connections for collective well-being.
No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man.
The traditional Igbo society depicted in Things Fall Apart is one where a man’s authority over his family is seen as a measure of his masculinity and success.
However, this structure doesn't resonate with the new generation, as societal trends are beginning to tend towards social equality, with traditional notions of masculinity questioned.
In the novel, Achebe also explores the theme of masculinity and the pressures it places on men to conform to certain roles and behaviors, often leading to conflict and tragedy.
When a man blasphemes, what do we do? Do we go and stop his mouth? No. We put our fingers into our ears to stop us hearing. This is a wise action.
Achebe preaches the importance of cultural tolerance and restraint, the practice of ignoring blasphemy rather than confronting it directly.
By not overreacting to slights and using nonviolent conflict resolution methods, cultures, and people can better understand each other and resolve differences.
In the many years in which he had toiled to bring civilization to different parts of Africa he had learned a number of things. One of them was that a District Commissioner must never attend to such undignified details as cutting a hanged man from the tree. Such attention would give the natives a poor opinion of him. In the book which he planned to write he would stress that point. As he walked back to the court he thought about that book. Every day brought him some new material. The story of this man who had killed a messenger and hanged himself would make interesting reading. One could almost write a whole chapter on him. Perhaps not a whole chapter but a reasonable paragraph, at any rate. There was so much else to include, and one must be firm in cutting out details. He had already chosen the title of the book, after much thought: The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger.
The Commissioner’s inability to see the tragedy and depth of Okonkwo’s life and death contrasts shows the massive disconnect between colonizers and the colonized.
It's unfortunate that most of Africa's available written histories are authored by Western writers. In this light, the people of the Black continent, most ironically, continue to show condescension and detachment towards their own cultures and traditions.
Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength
This quote reflects Okonkwo’s rigid adherence to traditional notions of masculinity, where displaying emotions other than anger is perceived as a weakness.
Okonkwo’s fear of appearing weak drove his behavior, making him suppress his emotions and respond first with anger. This affected his relationships and contributed to his downfall.
You think you are the greatest sufferer in the world? Do you know that men are sometimes banished for life? Do you know that men sometimes lose all their yams and even their children? I had six wives once. I have none now except that young girl who knows not her right from her left. Do you know how many children I have buried--children I begot in my youth and strength? Twenty-two. I did not hang myself, and I am still alive. If you think you are the greatest sufferer in the world, ask my daughter, Akueni, how many twins she has borne and thrown away. Have you not heard the song they sing when a woman dies? For whom is it well, for whom is it well? There is no one for whom it is well. I have no more to say to you.
In Things Fall Apart, human hardship and the universality of suffering are depicted. The mention of Akueni’s twins being thrown away refers to the cultural practices that also contribute to the community’s suffering, reflecting the complex interplay between tradition and pain.
His speech was delivered by Uchendu, Okonkwo’s uncle, who had experienced immense personal loss. His words are meant to offer perspective and counsel to Okonkwo, urging him to see beyond his own suffering.
Things Fall Apart is rich in quotes about the Igbo, their traditions, lives, and shared experiences. It's also a historical retelling of how African society has evolved since colonial times.
Things Fall Apart is for the colonizers as well as the colonized, helping to understand the role of colonialism in the realization of Africa's future.
Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart is available for purchase on Rovingheights, The Booksellers, Amazon, B&N, and stores near you.
