Things Fall Apart: Theme & Key Quotes: Language

Theme Explored: Language

Significance: In “Things Fall Apart”, language represents cultural diversity and individuality. It is a symbol of the Igbo culture, and the manipulation of it by the colonizers signifies the gradual erosion of the native culture.
This theme is explored through the repeated use of proverbs, which are vital elements of the Igbo oral tradition. They convey complex messages in a simple and understandable manner, enhancing the narrative.
Achebe’s use of language: His excellent command of English, combined with the inclusion of Igbo words, phrases and proverbs, delicately balances the necessities of communication with the preservation and representation of Igbo culture.
Achebe intentionally uses diction reflective of the African oral storytelling tradition to make the reader aware of the cultural gap between them and the Igbo society.
Language as a weapon: Language is portrayed as a tool used by the colonizers to undermine the African societies and culture.

“Among Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.”
“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one.”
“Eneke the bird says that since men have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching.”
In these quotes, we see the reverence placed on the power of language and conversation, the clever use of language by colonizers to encroach upon the society, and the adaptation symbolized by Eneke, in the face of dangerous changes brought on by the colonizers.

The novel uses language as a metaphor for cultural identity, with the deliberate use of Igbo expressions, words, and proverbs showing how language is integral to understanding a culture’s identity.
The use of symbolism in language helps express the differing world views and dynamic nature of the societies: the “fire” can symbolize the strong but destructive character of Okonkwo, and the “white” could symbolize the alien, intrusive and powerful nature of the colonizers.
The foreshadowing and the impending doom of the Igbo society is woven into the narrative through language, especially with proverbs, as shown by the above-mentioned quotes.