Things fall apart

• Quotes for social transformation and tradition and how it links to theme

  "He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart."

  THEME: Social Transformation — Obierika reflects on how colonialism has destroyed traditional unity.

  
  

  "Obierika was a man who thought about things."

  THEME: Tradition — Obierika questions customs and represents a voice of reason and reflection.

  
  

  "They came peacefully and were welcomed... but they have also brought a lunatic religion."

  THEME: Transformation — At first, the change seems peaceful, but it becomes clear the society is being reshaped.

  
  

  "The clan was like a lizard; if it lost its tail it soon grew another."

  THEME: Tradition — Suggests the resilience of tradition, even when it's damaged or disrupted.

  
  

  "We do not ask for wealth because he that has health and children will also have wealth."

  THEME: Tradition — Emphasizes communal values over material
• Quotes for Language and communication and how it links to the theme

  "How can he when he does not even speak our tongue?"

  THEME: Language and Communication — Shows how language barriers between colonizers and locals cause ignorance and misunderstanding.

  
  

  "Proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten."

  THEME: Language and Communication — Proverbs are central to Igbo speech and wisdom; they give language beauty and meaning.

  
  

  "But he was not a man of many words."

  THEME: Language and Communication — Okonkwo communicates through action, not speech, symbolizing emotional suppression.
• Quotes for fear and how it links to the theme

  "He was afraid of being thought weak."

  THEME: Fear — Okonkwo's core fear drives his harsh actions. He links weakness to failure and femininity.

  
  

  "It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father."

  THEME: Fear — Okonkwo's fear isn't just societal; it's deeply personal and internal.

  
  

  "Even as a little boy he had resented his father's failure and weakness."

  THEME: Fear — His fear is lifelong. His hatred of Unoka comes from fear of inheriting his shame.

  
  

  "Fear lay deep in the hearts of the people."

  THEME: Fear — The villagers fear both their gods and the changing world around them. Fear motivates tradition.
• Quotes for free will and fate and how it links to the theme


  "A man could not rise beyond the destiny of his chi."

  THEME: Fate — This Igbo belief limits ambition, suggesting people are bound by spiritual destiny.

  
  

  "When a man says yes his chi says yes also."

  THEME: Free Will — This proverb promotes the idea that effort and willpower can overcome fate.

  
  

  "Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages... for his personal achievements."

  THEME: Free Will — Okonkwo believes in hard work and self-made success, resisting the idea of fate.

  
  

  "The earth goddess had decreed that the evil must be punished."

  THEME: Fate — The laws of the gods override personal intention, showing how spiritual fate controls society.

  
  

  "It is against the Week of Peace," he said. "You are not supposed to beat someone."

  THEME: Fate — Breaking sacred laws brings punishment, suggesting fate is bound to cultural order.
• Quotes for Masculinity and how it links to the theme


  "He was afraid of being thought weak."

  THEME: Masculinity — Okonkwo's greatest fear is appearing weak, showing how masculinity is rooted in fear and insecurity.

  
  

  "No matter how prosperous a man was... he was not really a man."

  THEME: Masculinity — Success in Igbo society is defined by dominance over others, especially one's household.

  
  

  "Okonkwo was ruled by one passion—to hate everything his father Unoka had loved."

  THEME: Masculinity — Okonkwo equates gentleness and emotion with weakness.

  
  

  "It is more manly to fight and be killed than to remain alive."

  THEME: Masculinity — Okonkwo's final choice reflects his belief that violence equals honour.
• Quotes for Religion and how it links to the theme


  "Nwoye felt a relief within as the hymn poured into his parched soul."

  THEME: Religion — Christianity gives Nwoye emotional and spiritual comfort that traditional religion could not.

  
  

  "The gods will not listen to the prayers of a man who has no respect for the gods of his fathers."

  THEME: Religion — Shows how loyalty to ancestral beliefs was deeply rooted in Igbo spirituality.

  
  

  "He was very firm in restraining the over-zealous."

  THEME: Religion — Mr. Brown's approach to religion is balanced, unlike future missionaries who are more aggressive.

  
  

  "They were called kotma, and because of their ash-coloured shorts they earned the nickname Ashy-Buttocks."

  THEME: Religion / Colonialism — The court messengers represent the enforcement arm of new religious and political control.
• Quotes for Family and how it links to the theme

  "He is no longer my son."

  THEME: Family — Okonkwo's rigid beliefs lead him to disown Nwoye, showing how ideology can break family bonds.

  
  

  "Okonkwo was ruled by one passion—to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved."

  THEME: Family — Okonkwo's identity is shaped by his need to reject his father's values and reputation.

  
  

  "No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children... he was not really a man."

  THEME: Family — Igbo society equates control over family with masculinity and success.

  
  

  "Unoka... had died of the swelling which was an abomination to the earth goddess."

  THEME: Family — Unoka dies in disgrace, setting the foundation for Okonkwo's lifelong shame and resentment.
• Quotes for colonialism and how it links to the theme

  "He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart."

  THEME: Colonialism — Obierika reflects on how British rule and Christianity have dismantled traditional Igbo society.

  
  

  "Does the white man understand our custom about land?" / "How can he when he does not even speak our tongue?"

  THEME: Colonialism — Highlights the cultural misunderstanding and arrogance of the colonizers.

  
  

  "The Christians had grown in number and were now a confident minority."

  THEME: Colonialism — Shows the increasing influence of missionaries and the early stages of cultural takeover.

  
  

  "He trod softly on his faith."

  THEME: Colonialism — Mr. Brown is a symbol of gentle colonization through respect and compromise.