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Things Fall Apart - Online Term Paper

Things Fall Apart

In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the feast that Okonkwo holds to thank his mother’s kinsmen reveals some of the values of the characters in this novel and the society in which they live. The hard work that Oknokwo’s family put in to prepare for the feast shows how highly he values the comfort of his kinsmen. In this novel, feasts and ceremonies are not only held because of the food and entertainment. The purpose of this feast is for family and friends to be as one. The feast that Okonkwo held to thank his mother’s kinsmen developed a theme of kinship in the novel. This feast also contributes the meaning of the work as whole because Achebe accomplishes the task of ...

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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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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 4/5/2011 03:53:13 PM
Submitted By: ir1shking
Category: African Studies
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 742
Pages: 3

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