Things Fall Apart: Key Quotes Chapters 22-23

Key Quotes from Chapters 22-23

Here is an outline of some of the key quotes from Chapters 22 and 23 of ‘Things Fall Apart’, along with an interpretation to aid revision and understanding of Achebe’s novel. This will provide insights into the characters, themes, and motifs that are important in these chapters.

Chapter 22

“They have lost the fight or they would not have let us fight our war by ourselves.”

This quote is spoken by one of the Umuofians about the stillness of the ancestral spirits. It expresses their disappointment and feelings of abandonment, suggesting a breakdown in belief systems and faith within the community.

“A root cannot live when the tree is cut down.”

The District Commissioner says this in reference to the execution of the osu, or outcasts. The metaphor of the root and tree symbolises the strength and interconnectedness of community and tradition.

“The white man was very clever. He came filled with their brothers and sons…He came to the clan dancing.”

This quote, spoken by the cooperative Ezeulu, encapsulates the manipulative tactics of colonial powers. It exposes the gradual, initially innocent-seeming intrusion of colonisation, luring people away with promises of peace and brotherhood.

Chapter 23

“There must be a way in which man may enlarge his gaze beyond these boundaries and be happy.”

This is a reflective quote by Okonkwo. It points to his dissatisfaction with the limitations imposed by society, suggesting his restlessness and ambitions. It highlights a bubbling undercurrent of rebellion and dissatisfaction.

“Okonkwo knew that every man at the ilo threw his nzu in the direction of his personal god and ancestral spirits.”

Here, the nzu symbolises faith and reliance on the spirits. Okonkwo’s knowledge presents him as rooted in tradition, despite his opposition to some of its practices.

“It was a night of full moon and the earth and the sky were all in one silver plate.”

This metaphor paints a serene picture of unity between earth and sky, symbolic of peace and harmony. It allows the reader a glimpse into the beauty of pre-colonial Igbo life before the coming of the white man.

Taken together, these quotes give insight into the evolving personal and cultural struggles at the heart of ‘Things Fall Apart’. Understanding them and their wider context is an effective way to deepen your understanding of Achebe’s narrative.