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1-Page Summary of Things Fall Apart
Overview
The novel takes place in Umuofia, a cluster of nine villages on the lower Niger. The people are skilled warriors and have great population with proud traditions and advanced social institutions.
Okonkwo has risen from nothing to a high position, and he’s become very successful. He rules his family with an iron fist. One day, the neighboring clan commits an offense against Umuofia, but they avoid war by giving the offended party one virgin and one young boy. The girl is to become the offending clan’s new wife, and Ikemefuna will be sacrificed later on. During his time in Umuofia, he becomes like a part of Okonkwo’s family; Nwoye loves him like a brother. But eventually, the Oracle calls for Ikemefuna ‘s death because he was given as tribute to them. A group of men take him away to kill him in the forest, despite advice from elders not to do so. Okonkwo participates in this killing despite warnings that it would make others think less of him if they find out about it. Nwoye is spiritually broken by this event.
Okonkwo is deeply shaken by his encounter with the white man, but he tries to continue on as a great warrior. He loves his daughter Ezinma, who was born from his second wife Ekwefi. The child has been sickly and Ekwefi fears that she might die like her other children did. One night Okonkwo follows the Oracle of Umuofia to an earth goddess worshiping ceremony for Ezinma because he’s concerned about her health. His first wife Nwoye accompanies him so that they can protect their daughter together.
Okonkwo was once a great man, but he killed a member of his clan in anger. As punishment for that crime, Okonkwo and his family were exiled from their home village for seven years.
Okonkwo was exiled from his village. He had always believed that a man can control his own destiny, but the exile proved this to be untrue. Okonkwo and his family moved to Mbanto, where they were welcomed by Uchendu’s family (Okonkwo’s uncle). They were treated very well there.
Okonkwo’s exile and return are significant because of his encounters with the white man. The missionaries come to Umuofia and Mbanto first, preaching their religion that seems strange to the Igbo people. However, over time, more people convert to Christianity. Nwoye becomes a convert after he leaves home and goes to live with his father in Mbanto.
Okonkwo returns to Umuofia and finds that the clan has changed. The church has converted some members, who are disrespectful of the clan’s customs. Worse, a white man’s government is now in place there. It judges cases in ignorance and backs up its decisions with armed power.
During a religious gathering, one of the clan members reveals the identity of a spirit. The offense is serious and in response, the clan decides to tear down their church building. Soon afterward, they are summoned by the District Commissioner for an important meeting. They go with high hopes but are quickly arrested on false charges and beaten up severely until their clan pays a heavy fine as punishment.
After the clan is released from prison, they meet to decide what to do about the whites. Okonkwo wants war. Court messengers interrupt their meeting and order them to stop their gathering. The meetings are how Umuofia makes decisions; an interference with this institution means that Umuofia’s independence will be lost forever. Enraged, Okonkwo kills a court messenger and escapes as others chase after him. Because no one else in his clan tries to take down the other court messengers, he knows that his people won’t choose war either. He feels bitter because he can’t follow through on his decision and also fears dying under white law so he hangs himself at home.
