Things Fall Apart: Chapter 10

Things Fall Apart: Chapter 10

Introduction to Chapter 10

• Chapter 10 of “Things Fall Apart” paints a detailed picture of Igbo judicial proceedings.
• The scenario revolves around the resolution of a conflict involving a husband, Mgbafo, and his wife.
• The locus of authority, better known as the egwugwu, is under the spotlight in this chapter.

Key Themes Illustrated

Tradition and Authority

• Viewers witness the Igbo system of justice in action during the village’s collective assembly.
• We gain a deep understanding of the tradition-bound mechanisms of power, primarily exerted by the male members of the society.

Religion and Superstition

• The egwugwu are revered as ancestral spirits who pass judgments and maintain societal order.
• Their masks and presence amplify the religious and superstitious disposition of the society.

Language Use

• Dialogue and narration intermingle to provide a balanced perspective of the situation, backing individual emotions with communal ethos.
• Achebe uses descriptive language to enhance the dramatic effect of the egwugwu’s appearance and their judicial process.

Symbols

Egwugwu Masks

• The egwugwu masks symbolise authority, tradition and the enforcement of societal norms.

Critical Events

• The egwugwu are called upon to deliver justice in a domestic conflict.
• Through the egwugwu’s judgement, the society’s views on marital relationships and women’s rights are made evident.

Chapter 10 Summary

• Chapter 10 keys into a critical facet of Igbo society - the principles and practicalities of its judicial system.
• The primary focus is on the egwugwu, who are the masked representatives of the society and the mouthpieces of justice.
• Through the egwugwu, the reader glimpses the traditional, religious and patriarchal substratum of the society, which defines the context and resolution of conflicts.