1. THE STRUCTURE OF THE NOVEL:

i) PART ONE

• • • Introduces Okonkwo’s humble beginnings and his rise to power through hard work.
    • Informs of the life of the Ibo people.
    • Presentation of the customs and traditions, allows the reader to either support or question them.

ii) PART TWO

• • • Deals with Okonkwo’s exile from his tribe.
    • Introduces the arrival of the missionaries in Umuofia.
    • Shows how the Christian missionaries’ condemnation of tribal customs attracts marginalised people of the tribe.
    • Shows how Christianity brings hospitals, schools, trading and employment.
    • Highlights how the introduction of English laws impacted African culture.

iii) PART THREE

• • • Looks at Okonkwo’s return from exile.
    • Shows how his clash with British Authorities reflects his isolation in his tribe. 
    • Highlights his betrayal by the English and his own people, and his resultant suicide.

2. THE STRUCTURE OF THE STORY:

i) PLOT:

Things Fall Apart traces the downfall of Okonkwo, a respected and prosperous warrior of the Umuofian clan in Nigeria.  His fear of appearing weak results in his many bad decisions. Yet, an accidental death, at his hands, results in his exile. On his return, Okonkwo finds his village overrun with Christian missionaries, who intend to colonise and convert the Ibo people. Okonkwo’s realisation that his people are unable to fight the white colonisers, results in his tragic suicide.

ii) SETTING:

• • • The novel is set in the1800s, in the Lower Nigerian villages, of lguedo and Mbanta. 
    • The structure and practices of the tribe begin to change with the arrival of the colonialists. 

iii) NARRATOR:

• • • The third-person, omniscient narrative gives commentary on the lives of the people.
    •  Like the oral nature of African stories, these narratives have been passed from generation to generation. 
    • The narrative switches between different characters, giving insight into their thoughts and motive.

NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE 

iv) CONFLICT:

• • • Traditional society of Umuofia vs change of a colonial society.
    • The fractures within the traditional societies are widened with the arrival of the colonialists.
    • Old customs vs new customs brought by the whites.
    • Marginalised members of Umuofia seek refuge and compassion in western culture.
    • Okonkwo is determined to uphold traditions of his society.

v) MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE:

• • • Lessons and morals are told through fables. 
    • A sense of irony unfolds. 
    • An impending sense of tragedy underlies the lives of the people.
    • Dark and threatening atmosphere foreshadows events to come.
    • Look at the moments that convey homogeneity of Ibo society.

POWERPOINT:STRUCTURE OF THE PLOT

1. Summary:

i) Learners to create a timeline for Okonkwo and his tribe as a summary of the novel. 

ii) At the end of every chapter discussion, learners should add significant events to the timeline. 

iii) Learners to find images that depict Ibo lifestyle in 1800s. This will be shared in LESSON 3.