Things Fall Apart

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is said that all the “Umunna” or descendents of Okolo were invited to the feast. Through the size and splendor of the feast, Okonkwo’s gratitude is show in full force. This is significant because throughout the novel Okonkwo’s soft side has only been shown in glimpses. During the feast one of the oldest members of the Umuna rose to thank Okonkwo. Through his words the true meaning of the feast or get-togethers in general for Africans was unveiled. He says, “A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving..... We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so.”(166) One may characterize Africans as barbaric and uncivilized, but Achebe’s portrayal of the characters in this scene offers a new outlook into African culture.
This scene contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole in many ways. First, we must remember that Chinua Achebe wrote this novel as a response to Heart of Darkness by James Conrad. In Heart of Darkness, Conrad ...

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