Things Fall Apart, Chapters Two and Three

“But his whole life was dominated by fear, the
fear of failure and of weakness.”

Chapters Two and Three bring you deeper into the world of the Ibo but also into the inner workings of the tragic hero, Okonkwo. You will see the key role that his community’s rituals and traditions play in his everyday life and how they define his character.

In these two chapters, you will also delve into the language used by Chinua Achebe; similes and proverbs are sprinkled throughout the chapters. Still in the exposition of the novel, you will continue to meet new characters and learn of the relationships and conflicts that exist among them.

Essential Question

• What role does language play in a society?