Themes Frequent in Things Fall Apart

#1- Strength

In the book Things Fall Apart strength plays significant, but different, roles through the characters of Okonkwo, Nwoye, and Enzima. Each character is able to define strength uniquely.

"But he left hold of Nwoye, who walked away and never returned. Nwoye did not full understand. But he was happy to leave his father" (152). NWOYE

"At last Ezinma was born, and although ailing she seemed determined to live...She was rewarded by occasional spells of health during which Ezinma bubbled with energy like fresh palm-wine" (79). EZINMA

"Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak" (61). OKONKWO

#2- Fear

In the book Things Fall Apart characters experience a common emotion of fear, both internally and externally.

"Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children" (13).

"But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness. It was deeper and more intimate than the fear of evil and capricious gods and of magic, the fear of the forest, and of hte forces of nature, malevolent, red in tooth and claw. It was not external but lay deep within himself. It was the fear of himself..." (13).

"He called his son, Nwoye, to sit with him in his obi. But the boy was afraid of him and slipped out of the hut as soon as he noticed him dozing" (63).