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The characters in Things Fall Apart each have their character traits as well as gender roles that they are expected to follow. In Things Fall Apart symbols are used to describe the behaviors and traits of the characters in the book as well as their fears. Three major symbols are used throughout the book, such fire to show the sullen nature and masculinity between Okonkwo and the men in umuofia, the kola nut which shows mutual respect between clansmen and their ancestors, as well as darkness which creates fear throughout umuofia.
Okonkwo is well known for his capricious behavior throughout Things Fall Apart the symbol of fire is used to make this statement clear to the reader. Achebe describes that Okonkwo “was popularly called the ‘roaring flame’.”(Achebe 133). This elucidates that when he had something to be angry about, it was his fuel, and his oxygen to start a great fire within himself. When there was nothing to be angry about, the fire within him calmed and he became tame once again. The “fire” within himself was his way of showing his masculinity to others. As well as Okonkwo needing to show his strength, so did his peers, “They set fire to his houses, demolished his red walls, killed his animals and destroyed his barn.” (Achebe 110). By doing this the men were proving their strength to the Earth Goddess and showing that they were strong enough to accomplish the task, even though many of them were friends with Okonkwo themselves. The symbol of fire created the malicious behavior that we see from many male characters throughout the book.
The kola nut is seen many times during the book in cases when respect needs to be shown. Okoye explained that “he who brings kola brings life”(Achebe 3). Unoka and Okoye prayed to their ancestors while eating the kola nut as a respect towards them. The ancestors of the Umuofian people play an indispensable role in their religious beliefs, while constantly seeking their approval of them. As well as kola nuts being used to show respect to their ancestors, they also used the kola nut to show respect to each other. Achebe maintains the idea of this symbol by describing that Okonkwo “presented a kola nut and an alligator pepper, which were passed round for all to see and then returned to him. He broke the nut saying, “We shall all live. We pray for life, children, a good harvest, and happiness.”(Achebe 15). This displays that it was agreed upon that once the nut was broken, they all share the same mutual respect. Okonkwo presenting the Kola nut to the men, it is showing that he greatly admires them and is asking to receive respect in return.
Darkness is a symbol of great fear in Things Fall Apart, it is shown in the ways that the Igbo people react to the idea of frightening situations. Achebe describes that “darkness held a vague terror for these people, even the bravest among them”(Achebe 7). Even though fear was not normally shown directly throughout the book by characters to make them seem stronger, their fear was shown by all of them and their families sitting silently in their Obi’s careful to not disturb the spirits. Darkness brought great fear to Ekwefi the mother of Ezinma when taken into the night by the priestess, “whenever she saw their shape it immediately dissolved like a melting lump of darkness”(Achebe 93). Darkness was a symbol of the fear that Ekwefi had of losing her beloved child. She had lost so many children in the past which had created great darkness in her life, and Ezinma was her only light.
Symbols in Things Fall Apart give copious emotion and meaning to the story that may not be shown in other parts. They help to give the reader a glimpse into the deeper connections we see in the book. The symbols are a key part of the development of character traits and ideas.
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