Ngugi's Correlation

While Ngugi’s extract was used to practice the annotation and structuring of a Paper 1, the content and theme of the article can also be used to inform a deeper appreciation of Things Fall Apart

In what ways does this text influence your understanding of Achebe’s use of language and stylistic choices in Things Fall Apart?

In Ngugi's extract, we witness a similar chronological order to that of Things Fall Apart. This is seen via the chronological narration of how Ngugi's life was before the colonial rule, and how it morphed for the worse after Kenya were conquered. Unlike Things Fall Apart, which depicts a balanced view of the colonizers, Ngugi's text seems to be more biased against the British language. However, a common theme that can be observed between the two is the complex oratory style. In both Things Fall Apart and Ngugi's extract is laden with metaphors, imagery, and personification, which all exemplify the importance given to good orators in the African culture. Another, common theme among them are the writer's decisions to write in English. Whilst this is the language which has oppressed the African countries which both Ngugi and Achebe live in, they have decided to write their texts in English. This decision might be very strategic as they may be using language as a form of resistance and since both texts were written at a time when both Kenya and Nigeria were battling for freedom this might possibly be the case.

Religion - Thesis + Outline

Thesis Statement  - The culturally hybrid nature of Achebe’s upbringing has resulted in the construction of “Things Fall Apart” being narrated through the third person so that a more wholesome and unbiased perspective of both the Christian & Igbo religions can be displayed

Topic Sentence 1 - Achebe’s conflicted upbringing are displayed via the implementation of the characters of Nwoye and Obierika.

Topic Sentence 2 - Achebe’s western upbringing has culuminated in his choice to display the attractiveness of western education to the Igbo society.

Topic Sentence 3 - Achebe's  Igbo roots have resulted in the use of “ethnic” subplots such as the constant wife beating and the characters of Ekwefi to display the reality of Igbo traditions and life.

Thesis Statements + Outline

With reference to Things Fall Apart, discuss how an understanding of gender influences how the text may be understood.

In order to provide a more "ethnic" portrayal of the Igbo society, Achebe characterizes Okonkwo, the protagonist of the novel, with extreme masculine traits whilst giving the females in the novel such as Ekwefi and Okonkwo's wives characteristics of inferiority and submission.

Outline 

Paragraph 1 -  Introduction 

Paragraph 2 - Okonkwo Characterization -

Topic Sentence -  Through the implementation of subplots such as the Week of Peace and implicit actions, Achebe depicts Okonkwo as an Hypermasculine individual, who isn't a good representative of the Igbo society.

Paragraph 3 - Ekfewi and characterization of other females in the novel  

Topic Sentence - Via, implementing the foil characters of Ekfewi and Ezinma in the novel, Achebe depicts the submissive and excessively feminine gender roles, which the Igbo women must follow in the Igbo society.

Paragraph 4 -  Usage of foil characters such as Obrieka, which are used to emphasize Okonkwo's excessive gender traits.

Topic Sentence - Achebe, utilizes the foil character of Obrieka to highlight and emphasize the excessiveness of Okonkwo's behavior, whilst providing a backdrop to show a more human representative of the Igbo Society.

Paragraph 5 - Conclusion  - Through the usage of foil characters, subplots and the characterization of Okonkwo, Achebe manages to create a novel which successfully depicts the reality of post-colonial Igboland in his novel "Things Fall Apart".