THINGS FALL APART
BUT THEY ARE GETTING BETTER
Symbols
Folktakles remind Okonkwo of a mother and a daughter sharing a bedtime story, which is symbolic of femininity. Folktales are one of Okonkwo's son, Nwoye's, favorite things to do. Due to the lack of maniliness in folktales, Okonkwo concludes that Nwoye is feminine.
Yams are one of the most prominent symbols throughout Things Fall Apart. They symbolize manliness and virility- a man's capibility to provide for his family. Yam are only grown by men and the more yams one grows, the more money, respect, and title you earn.
Chinua Achebe refers to Okonkwo as a "Roaring Flame". Fire symbolizes life and masculinity, which is the opposite of his son. Okonkwo, after Nwoye becomes a Christian realizes that "living fire begets cold, impotent ash".
Folktales
Yams
Fire
Written by Calene Balthazar-Suda
Edited by Micah Leval