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Three Significant Events in Things Fall Apart


Okonkwo Borrowing Yam Seeds
This is an important part of the novel as Yams is a very big part of Igbo culture and this shows the characterization of Okonkwo. He is struck with the fear of becoming like his father so he goes to great lengths to be the opposite of him. His father was a lazy man and often let his wives and children go hungry.  Since the crops failed, Okonkwo needs to provide for his family in other ways and by growing his own yams this symbolizes masculinity and provision. The masculinity and provision his father was incapable of.
Nwoye Converting To Christianity
This event is very significant as it conveys some of the positive sides to white Colonialism.  Nwoye joins the church as a result of him feeling like does not fit into the Igbo society.  He was an example of one of the outcasts (osu), the people who could not relate to Igbo culture. Nowye joining the church shows the conflict that exists between him and his father, due to him not being masculine enough for his father.


Okonkwo's Suicide 
Okonkwo's suicide shows one of the negative effects that the British Colonization had on Umofia and the Igbo tribe.  It is significant as it shows the characterization of Okonkwo and his inability to adapt due to his pride and his traditional ways of thinking. This leads to his tragic downfall in the end dying an abnomible death like his father. Which is ironic as he strives his whole life to be the opposite of his father. Suicide in Igbo culture is committing a sin to the earth therefore Okonkwo rebukes his own beliefs by death, believing everything he worked for has no meaning.




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