Some Cannons and A Sudden Death: Chapters 8 to 13, "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe

It is after Ikemefuna’s death that we have an insight into Nwoye’s and Okonkwo’s inner-selves. Nwoye, feels devastated about the event, he was going through very strange feelings in which he could sense death, he “felt like a solitary walker who passes an evil spirit on the way”. On the other hand, Okonkwo goes through a contradictory process, first he can’t stop himself drinking and can’t eat nor sleep, then, he starts thinking of himself a woman since he’s not able to stop thinking about it. Finally, he becomes feeling normal again, expelling all thought of Ikemefuna and he even wonders why such a thing uneased him. Later on, he feels Nwoye is not a good boy, constantly mentioning how he’d wish for Ezinma to be a boy.

Umuofia’s superiority is shown through a comparison between villages, in which they explain how in Abame and Aninta, titles are easier and cheaper, or how men gather food for their wives too and how they bargain the bride-price. Two important traditions are explained as well: trials¹ and wedding² processes. Through ironic suggestions, we are shown Okonkwo’s secret identity; he embraces the form of an egwugwu (ancestor’s spirit) when trials take place during the day, to the sound of the flute and gong. Meanwhile, we learn the procedure of the Igbo’s wedding through Akueke (Obierika’s daughter), who is 16 years old and is being sold to a suitor. The paying process (through cowries and broomsticks) is described, among the uri ceremony, in which the neighbourhood gathers to presence the suitor bringing palm-wine, (the more they bring, the more manly they’ll be thought of).

Past events are explained, allowing us to understand Ezinma and Ekwefi’s relationship. Ekwefi (Okonkwo’s wife), had been through many tragedies in her life, she had born nine children and eight died before the age of three. Medicine men had suggested that she was dealing with an ojbange (evil child) and tried several procedures which none of them worked. But, when Ezinma turned four years old, things became different, Ekwefi started loving her and became determined to keep her healthy. Both, Okonwko and Ekwefi, show how important Ezinma is to them when she becomes ill. They help her healing and also, when Chielo (Agbala’s priestess), “kidnaps” Ezinma, they follow her, defying all fear and pain as well as the gods.

Later on, the ekwe warns all nine villages about Ezeudu’s death (an important old warrior). The ceremony is accompanied with cannon and gun shooting, when suddenly, Okonkwo’s gun accidentally explodes killing Ezeudu’s son. As a punishment, he must abandon Umuofia for seven years. As if not enough, his house and barns are destroyed. Throughout the chapters, Obierika (Okonkwo’s friend), acts as a conscience, such as when he disagrees with Okonkwo having had to do with Ikemefuna’s death, reflecting about having killed his twin children only because their tribe believes they’re wicked, or considering that a man (Okonkwo) shouldn’t suffer so much for committing an accident. If we analyse it, it is the first time that Okonkwo can bear no more and has no choice left but to flee. He indeed has tried his best to be a strong man who can protect his family, but this “bubble” that he’s trying so restlessly to build, is destroyed for the first time, meaning that things begin falling apart.

Achebe, Ch. (1994), Things Fall Apart, 1st edition, Anchor Books, New York.

¹In this image, the Egwugwus  (masquerades who impersonates ancestral spirits of the village), sit on stools facing the elders, ready to make a decision for the current trial. Children and men surround them, keeping their distance. Image obtained from: http://thingsfallapart11.wikispaces.com/Superstitions

²A wedding ceremony being held in which Igbo women dance while wearing traditional Igbo clothes. Image obtained from:  http://www.datingfriend.net/articles/fabulous_wedding_rituals_and_customs_of_people_of_the_world.htm