Things Fall Apart..

Things Fall Apart describes specifically one mans struggle with change and diversity and example of manhood and grace. Okonkwo, the village's warrier, was greatly respected and loved for this dominance, violence, success and intolerance for laziness. Most of his anger originates from his fathers incompetence and lack of motivation. He lives to hate everything his father loves; Okonkwo's three wives and children suffer from it the most. He felt showing love and sincerity was a sign of weakness; their fear allowed him to keep the upper hand. When Okonkwo was forced out of his hut and out of power, he yearned to get it back. This yearning was so strong it forced him to suicide. During his suspension from his village, Umuofia, great change took place. Christianity spread through the villages and eventually became apart of the community of villagers. The great change in his village drove Okonkwo mad, causing him to make decisions without the word of his people.
The title "Things Fall Apart" fits the storyline perfectly. Its a dynamic story based on the rise and fall of one man and village. There are descriptive tales on how change effected Okonkwo, while still describing the effect it had Umuofia and the other nine villages.
I think the novel was an excellent read. It covered the emergence of order in religion; how different traditions slowly melts together forming another. Although the villagers tried to keep there religious purity, many were open and submissive to Christianity which caused wars and chaos among the community. The same war and chaos that Umuofia experience is the same war and chaos the Natives experience, as well as the French. I think it was cool to read the effects of a common issue in different countries. So, right on Chinua Achebe.