Things Fall Apart: Context: Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe: Personal and Historical Context

Early Life

Chinua Achebe was born in 1930 in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria.
His parents were devout Protestants and he was raised in a setting where traditional African culture coexisted with European Christian influences.
This duality marked his literary thinking and is evident in ‘Things Fall Apart’ where he explores the conflict between old and new ways of life.

Education and Early Career

Achebe was educated in missionary schools where the curriculum was western-oriented, causing a detachment from his Igbo heritage.
His resentment for this Eurocentric education sparked his desire to tell the African story from an African perspective, leading to his writing ‘Things Fall Apart’.
During his university years, he was exposed to literature that often misrepresented or even maligned African culture which motivated him to present a more balanced perspective.

Post-Colonial Nigeria

After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, Achebe worked in various roles including broadcasting, university teaching, and political commentary.
The political and social tensions in post-colonial Nigeria deeply influenced Achebe’s writing, particularly the Biafra war, the themes of which appear in many of his later works.

‘Things Fall Apart’: A Contextual Overview

Igbo Society

‘Things Fall Apart’ presents a detailed portrayal of traditional Igbo society before the arrival of the Europeans, reflecting lifestyle practices, customs, and values.
Achebe uses the fictional village of Umuofia to represent typical Igbo societies of the time.

Colonial Impact

The novel portrays the early stages of British colonialism in Nigeria, particularly the clash between the indigenous Igbo traditions and the imposed Christian faith.
Achebe depicts the erosion of traditional practices and the inculcation of foreign values, in effect underscoring the undermining of the local culture and values.

Missionaries in Nigeria

Achebe delves into the role of missionaries in colonial Nigeria who acted as the face of colonialism and were instrumental in the gradual disintegration of the indigenenous society.
‘Things Fall Apart’ provides an insight into how missionaries used religion to gain control, undermining the local religious beliefs and causing discord.

Language Use

Achebe’s decision to write ‘Things Fall Apart’ in English, albeit one flavoured with Igbo idioms and proverbs, was a conscious strategy to communicate African stories to a wider global audience.
In doing so, Achebe reclaims the English language, turning the language of the colonisers into a tool to express the authentic African experience.

In all, understanding the context of Chinua Achebe’s life and the historical circumstances addressed in his work will allow you to appreciate the themes and narratives of ‘Things Fall Apart’ on a deeper level.