1. Alex_Hartman

    Alex_Hartman New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    Messages:
    338
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    At a desk staring at a blank notebook.

    Things Fall Apart

    Discussion in 'Discussion of Published Works' started by Alex_Hartman, Sep 13, 2008.

    I had to read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe for my English class. I personally don't understand why it's so "life changing" and the most amazing book ever. I wasn't dragged into it. Is there something that I'm missing?
     
  2. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,851
    Likes Received:
    3,339
    Location:
    Boston
    It wasn't the most amazing book ever, but it's good. It's about colonialism. Basically, the author is showing life before and after Europeans come to "civilize" the natives. He's showing how harmful this was on the native society.

    The author wrote the novel in response to Conrad's Heart of Darkness, which portrayed Africans as sub-human and even barbaric. A little background helps when reading something like this. Perhaps you may want to look more into colonialism from both the viewpoints of the Europeans and the Africans to get a better grasp of what this novel is about.
     
  3. aphonos

    aphonos New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2008
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    In Denial
    Yes.

    There's a lot of historical significance to the book, and it's a good read to boot. I wouldn't say it's life-changing, but what book really is? I know it's not a very good answer, but I don't know how it was taught (or what grade it was taught in) so I can't really go into more detail without sounding like a pretentious wanker.
     
  4. Alex_Hartman

    Alex_Hartman New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    Messages:
    338
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    At a desk staring at a blank notebook.
    It was just given to a bunch of young kids starting high school over the summer. We were told to read it, along with three other books, because we would be using them in the very beginning of the year. I was just reading the back of the book and it was saying how amazing it was and that it sells tons of copies every year. I was just a little confused about why.
     
  5. Last1Left

    Last1Left Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2008
    Messages:
    127
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    You know that box next to the Wendy's?
    I thought it was a decent book. It gives you the perspective you'll need if you're studying World History, so that's something. Then, if that doesn't mean anything, make as many jokes about yams as you can with your friends.
     
  6. aphonos

    aphonos New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2008
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    In Denial
    Ah, so going into 9th grade... I'd have put the book at around 10th grade with classroom support myself. No offense, but it's a bit much for the 13-15 crowd.

    Admittedly, I read it in 9th grade, but that was in a progressive, integrated school during a unit on Africa, and I was the only 9th grader reading it. Even then, I didn't properly appreciate it until a few years later when I re-read it.
     
  7. Alex_Hartman

    Alex_Hartman New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    Messages:
    338
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    At a desk staring at a blank notebook.
    I think I have an issue with the way women are treated in it. I realize that's the culture and everything, but it's really annoying.
     
  8. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,851
    Likes Received:
    3,339
    Location:
    Boston
    Yes, I agree with you Alex. Sometimes, the portrayal of women in that book made me cringe, but I had to accept the fact that this was their culture.
     
  9. BatCountry

    BatCountry New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2008
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    I read the book for my Social Studies class in 7th grade. It was a pretty good book about different societies, I didn't enjoy reading about him beating his wives and daughters and sons. And the end was kind of sad, and the events that take place, like the Europeans and only the main character stays loyal. It's not life changing though.
     
  10. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,851
    Likes Received:
    3,339
    Location:
    Boston
    Well, it's life changing because it gives a different view on colonialism. Back when it was published in 1959, there was still racism in the US and Africa. Thus, the view that the Europeans were helping the Africans would have been a much more accepted viewpoint. Achebe came along and wrote this book to show the negative aspects of colonialism. Perhaps it may not be life changing to those reading it today, but it was life changing back then when it was first published.
     
  11. Alex_Hartman

    Alex_Hartman New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    Messages:
    338
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    At a desk staring at a blank notebook.
    I was surprised when I started reading it to find that the MC wasn't as kind as authors often make their MC's, he was more strict. But again, that's how the men in those tribes were.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice