Ben--English pd. 6

Things F a l l Apart Entry #6

Symbolism
In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, there are important symbols that I thought represented other things in the book. For instance, Okonkwo is known as the "Roaring Fire." Okonkwo's spirit reminds me of fire because it is strong and easily spread and persistent. Okonkwo is more of an agressive person, and his actions influence other's actions, such as in a fire. However, every fire has its certain weakness--water. I would symbolize water as the obstacles in life that Okonkwo faces. Such obstacles include Ikemefuna's death, Nwoye's departure, Ezinma's aggressive spirit, and other concerns he faces in his life time.




Also, I also found that the locusts seemed like hidden symbols of Things Fall Apart. The locusts reminded me of the Christian missionaries that arrived at the villages of Umuofia. Both the locusts and the missionaries (kinsmen) arrive at the land at routine bases. They travel in large groups and they seem to have an overwhelming effect on the land. For instance, locusts are large herds of insects that feed off of the crops of the land. In Things Fall Apart, the Christian missionaries had power over the villages. They built churches and schools, and changed Umuofia's paradoz customs into different beliefs. However, the locusts stay temporarily, which in this case, did not occur in the book. What I also find surprising is that both the locusts and the Christian missionaries have similar reactions. They incite feelings of anxiety and curiousity for what lies ahead. In turn, they provide the good and the bad for the people. For example, in the book the Christian missionaries led Umuofia into being a rich and successful area, although it destroyed most of Umuofia's major beliefs. Locusts destroy crops yet they are beneficial to the people because they are staples to the villagers' diets.

--Ben

posted by QHSSYC Photography Club @ 9:07 PM