Things Fall Apart, Chapter One

You might recall that tragic heroes all have a tragic flaw. Okonkwo, the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, is a modern-day tragic hero. The character of Okonkwo is a rather non-archetypal tragic hero. He fits the mold but breaks it at the same time. The first chapter introduces you to Okonkwo’s strengths, the source of his tragic flaw, and his position of “nobility” within this tribal culture.

Thinking about a novel in terms of a plot map, consider this first chapter as an element of the exposition: it introduces the main characters, setting, and conflict. One "character" is the Ibo tribe itself, which enjoys a culture full of rich complexity. The Ibo tribe still has a strong presence in Nigeria, and each new chapter will open for you a door into a foreign world and way of life.

Essential Question

• What does a culture’s language teach you about its mores?