Things Fall Apart and Home Influences

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Home is where the heart is. Not only is it where a person grew up, but home is also the people who influenced them. In Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, home influences Okonkwo, the main character, throughout his childhood and further influences him though the changes his home endured because of the coming of the white men. Okonkwo’s family and society had a great influence when providing for him when he needed it, shaping him into who he was, and leading to his final downfall.

In Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo’s motherland provided for his needs when he was in exile. When he arrived in Mbanta, “Okonkwo was given a plot of ground on which to build his compound, and two or three pieces of land on which to farm during the coming planting season” (Achebe 129-130). Uchendu explains how Okonkwo’s arrival is significant by comparing the motherland and the fatherland in times of great need:

It’s true that a child belongs to its father. But when a father beats his child, it seeks sympathy in its mother’s hut. A man belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland (Achebe 134).

Men dominate over the women in the society and they view women as week and in a lower rank. Weakness drove Okonkwo to strive for strengths and dislike any form of weakness, even in other people. For this reason, Okonkwo never expected that he would find himself making a living in his motherland when he knew he belonged in his fatherland. By providing for his needs during his exile, Okonkwo’s family in his motherland showed him that help could come from the most unlikely place and could change his life forever.

Besides providing for him in his exile, Okonkwo’s family infl...

... middle of paper ...

..., Okonkwo fell into despair, overtaken by the changes and realization that he failed – alone.

Throughout Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo’s family and home provided for him when he was in exile, influenced his character from early childhood, and ignited his downfall when his home began to change. Just as Okonkwo experienced, every person’s home had a direct influence on the events and characteristics that they will acquire; however, some people overlook the impact that home has on him or herself. Okonkwo had overlooked the impact his home had on him and it was what led him to his downfall. He did not have a perfect balance and understanding of himself. This is why people should not disregard the influences their home has on them. If overlooked they can lead to greater harm in the future, but if noticed, they can lead to greater prosperity as time passes.

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