Things Fall Apart: Key Quotes Chapters 16-18

Chapter 16

“He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”

Analysis:

This quote by Obierika presents a poignant metaphor for the destruction of the Igbo society’s unity.
The use of the word “knife” is violent and invasive, illustrating the destruction of Igbo values by Christian influences.
“Fallen apart” is significant given the novel’s title, signifying the disintegration of the cohesive force that once bound the Igbo people together.

Analysis:

Spoken by Obierika, this quote reflects the Igbo recognition of the cunning nature of the colonisers.
Referring to the missionaries as “clever” demonstrates an understanding of their strategic approach to spreading Christianity.
The quote encapsulates the Igbo community’s initial underestimation of the long-term impact of the missionaries.

“Does the white man understand our custom about land? How can he when he does not even speak our tongue?”

Analysis:

This is a rhetorical question which acts as a critique of cultural insensitivity and highlights the importance of cultural understanding.
The quote emphasises the significance of language in understanding a culture, thereby underlining the depth of cultural divergence between the Igbo and the colonisers.

Analysis:

This quote illustrates Okonkwo’s despair over the changing structure of his society.
The simile portrays Okonkwo’s difficulty adjusting to the new influence, likening it to starting over late in life, but without the energy of youth.
It underscores Okonkwo’s sense of desolation and inability to resist the changes; he feels helpless and aged by his encounter with colonial power.

Analysis:

This agricultural metaphor signifies the missionaries’ damaging and disruptive influence, likening them to a destructive pest.
It signifies the Igbo perception of the colonisers - in their wake, the colonisers are leaving a decimated social order, much like locusts devastate crops.
The metaphor is also notable as locusts are a recurrent symbol in the book symbolising invasion and destruction.

“The new religion and government and the trading stores were very much in the people’s eyes.”

Analysis:

This quote mirrors the growing disruptive presence of colonial power in Umuofia symbolised by the church, government and trade stores.
It shows that the once peripheral colonial influences have begun penetrating the centre of the Igbo society, changing the once familiar landscape.
This quote also underscores the inextricable link between religion and colonial rule, showing how spiritual conquest often goes hand in hand with political and economic conquest.