The Significance of Religion in Things Fall Apart

The personal history of an author can have a significant influence on the way meaning is constructed in his/her writing. Comment on specific instances of such influence in Things Fall Apart.


Thesis statement: 
Chinua Achebe's personal religious subjectivity is significant within the context of his novel/ By understanding the personal history of the author, a greater appreciation of cultural, religious and social context is brought to the reader.

Topic sentence 1: The character of Mr. Brown is intended for Achebe to show the audience that the best values which he associated with his Christian upbringing were compatible with the values of traditional Igbo society.

Topic sentence 2: The event of Enoch unmasking a masked Egwugwu has an  important significance withing the religious understanding which Achebe is trying to convey, namely the religious symbolic of this shows the impact of Christianity on one's attitude towards the Igbo culture.

Topic sentence 3: The parallels between the manichian of both Mr. Smith and Okonkwo, as well as the title itself conveys the audience how neither religions is superior, each having its own limitations and weaknesses.

The significance of Gender in Things Fall Apart

With reference to Things Fall Apart, discuss how an understanding of gender influences how the text may be understood.

Thesis statement: 

With reference to the novel Things Fall Apart, an good understanding of gender within the Igbo society influences one's appreciation of the text as well as enhance the understanding of different character's thoughts and actions. By having a better understanding of gender within the novel the reader will have a better appreciation of overarching themes, tradition and customs, beliefs and conflict.

Topic sentence 1: The use of gender within Things Fall Apart gives a better understanding of the overarching theme of fear of feminity and failure. It emphasizes the symbolic of feminity and how it influences the internal and external conflict within the novel.

Topic sentence 2: Achebe's representation of gender within his novel reveals the customs and tradition of the Igbo society, thus giving the reader a better understanding and appreciation of the cultural context of the Igbo.

Topic sentence 3: Beliefs within the novel have an important significance within the novel. With the Igbo beliefs comes the understanding of gender, and how different gender representations within their belief system influences the ethic and thinking of the Igbo people.