Summary

Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe is a novel that deals with a life in a lower Nigerian tribe. The main character is Okonkwo, a respected warrior and a farmer. He is the member of Umuofia clan. Okonkwo wins a virgin and a 15 year old boy Ikemefuna in a settlement. Even though he already has a son, he finds an ideal son in Ikemufuna. He believes his real son Nwoye is a coward. After several years, the Oracle informed Okonkwo that Ikemefuna must be killed. He is advised not to interfere, because Ikemfuna calls him “Dad”. When Okonkwo’s clansmen attack the boy, he runs toward Okonkwo, but he does not want to look weak and cuts the boy down. After this incident, Okonkwo falls into depression. Soon after, another tragedy happens and Okonkwo’s gun explodes and kills a clansman’s son at a funeral. Since this is a serious crime, he must take his family into exile for seven years. They go to his mother’s village. Several years later Okonkwo is told that certain Mr. Brown is trying to convert Umuofia villagers into Christianity. He is later replaced by Reverend James Smith, who is more strict and intolerable. An incident happens when one convert dares to take off an egwugwu’s mask. Next day, the egwugus burn the church to the ground. Umuofia leaders are thrown in jail. After they are released, they arrange a meeting. Court messengers interrupt it and Okonkwo kills their leader. The crowd allows other to escape and Okonkwo finally understands that his clansmen are not willing to go to war. Okonkwo hangs himself. Since this is a sin, nobody wants to touch his body. They ask the Commissioner to help them. He is writing a book about African tribes and believes that Okonkwo’s story is rather interesting.

Vignette 1

Thirld world is a term used to describe states considered to be undeveloped in terms of economy, industrialization, standard of living, health, education etc. A French economist Alfred Sauvy first used this term in the French magazine in 1952. He used analogy to with the “third estate”. Like the third estate, the Third World has nothing and wants to be something. Savoy implies that the third world is exploited, like the third estate was exploited. He referred to countries in Latin America, South Asia, Africa and Oceania. By the end of the 1950’s the term was used to refer to the underdeveloped countries of Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Latin America. Most of Third World countries were former colonies. After decolonization their economies developed slowly. Only the oil-producing countries succeeded in escaping the domination of the world economy and domination of western countries.

Vignette 2

Third World countries have large number of common characteristics. Almost all of them have lately suffered a great population explosion. Their economies are highly dependent because they are producing primary products for the developed world. Most of those countries are rural and traditional, with lot of inhabitants and very high birthrate. These nations also tend to have high rates of illiteracy, disease, population growth and unstable government. While their inhabitants are extremely poor, the leaders are very wealthy. Third World countries have not got modern machines and equipment they need for production of various goods. This equipment is provided by large foreign companies. Large companies also determine the prices. It is very difficult to improve standard in those countries.

Vignette 3

At the Bandug conference in 1955 China and India tried to change the relation between the third world and the developed countries. As a result, the United Nations included third world countries as well and started working on their development. Most of the countries that succeded to develop are those that produce oil: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi,Arabia, the United Arab Emirates etc. Apart from oil, third world counties also produce other important raw materials. Neverthless, most of those countries have not succeded to develop compeletly. All international organizations agree that living conditions in third world countiries have not be improved. The rest of the world has to help and to develop strategies for underployment, birthrate and various reforms needed.

Screenplay-Chapter VI and VII-Things Fall Apart

Grafic Novel