Annotated bibliography
“Symbolism in Things Fall Apart. Imagery & Symbols [Essay].” ivypanda.com/essays/things-fall-apart-symbolism/.
Using symbols, the author shows how the African culture becomes shattered. This is done when new things and people along with new religion is influenced into society. Symbols that symbolize wealth and prosperity and even happiness become nothing as the story progresses at times. Characters are also symbols in the story. Different types of people are shown, and we see what happens to them and know changes affects them. Something I like about the way this is written is that there isn’t just one of a few authors. There are a lot and the people who create this site have always been super insightful and knowledgeable about literature. The cultural erosion as a result of the influence of western culture becomes shown in so many ways. One only has to look at important symbols of the society to see how prominent the change has become by the end of the story.
Stone, Margrett. “Yams in Things Fall Apart.” Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/yams-in-things-fall-apart.html.
In this article we see the importance of food as a symbol of society. If food is plentiful then the society is well off. If there is a lack of food, then they are not as well off. This can also be said for the quality of the food. Just because a society has plenty of food that doesn’t make it the best. Some food in society is viewed as more rare or special. Today we would view these as the more expensive food. Back then this would be the rare food that was hard to find. This article also speaks of the importance of yams as a special crop. This crop is more coveted and crucial to survival. The king crop is considered for important people to grow as well. This is how we use the crop symbolism to tell the differences between the farmers of the tribe. Also, the author of this article I feel is very insightful because she is a college teacher with a master’s degree in English.
Breazeale, Liz. “What Is a Symbol.” Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/symbols-in-things-fall-apart.html.
This author is highly educated in literature education. This is helpful in the way she breaks down things into simple terms for people to understand. Through reading her article we can see why Achebe used some of the symbols he does. We can see this with fire easily. He often refers to the roaring fire. This along with fire itself we can see that fire is wild and destructive and aggressive at times. We can also see this fire symbol can the reflect the traits of Okinawa. We also see the coloration that both are viewed with masculinity in the culture. Okinawa’s anger and rage are a form of fire at time. This leading to destruction and misfortune. We see an example of this when Okinawa kills the boy who becomes like a son to him. This can be viewed as powerful and is often respected.
Sumner, L. “Things Fall Apart.” Enotes.com, Enotes.com, www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-character-ikemefuna-significant-things-fall-270807.
This author is a certified educator. Ms. Sumner States the importance of people as symbols as well. We can see some people as people of power. Other examples would be pride in the possession of beautiful women. One of the big people in this story as a symbol is Ikemefuna. Ikemefuna is the son of an important leader. He is sent to live with Okinawa in the Igbo tribe. This is as a symbol peace between the tribes. There was anger because of a murder that occurred between the tribes. Ikemefuna kept peace between the tribes proving there is no need for hostility and preventing war. Ikemefuna becomes like a son to Okinawa. This also proves that Okinawa has no resentment towards Ikemefuna or that tribe for the murder that occurred.
Mantione, Mitchell. “5 Symbols from Things Fall Apart.” Prezi.com, prezi.com/gnshx9qjvrgs/5-symbols-from-things-fall-apart/.
This work was done for the education of young viewers also teaching symbolism in the process. I feel that this piece is inciteful with good examples from the story. I feel one of the strong points he points out is about ash. Ash is seen as sad, cold, lifeless, and unimportant. Ash is a negative symbol in this way and makes an impact because of its presence. Okinawa compares his son to ash. This shows Okinawa’s distaste and disappointment in his son. Okinawa obviously wishes his son was much different. Okinawa is usually cold and indifferent towards his son. At times he can even seam mean or cruel to his son in the same way one would look at ashes. Weakness and worthlessness reflect the coloration between ashes importance and the importance of Okinawa’s son to him.
LitCharts. “Things Fall Apart Symbols Theme Color Wheel.” LitCharts, www.litcharts.com/lit/things-fall-apart/symbols.
This although it has many authors, they created content that is very insightful. On this there are symbols that are useful but what is most interesting is the theme wheel. This is broken down by chapters of the story. This as you move outward breaks down the story showing importance of symbolism of different types of events in the story. The different colors correspond to a different type of action going on.
Tradition vs. Change
Fate vs. Free Will
Language
Masculinity
Religion
These are the different types of events going on at times and what the colors go with. Each event will fall into one of the corresponding categories. One can easily identify symbolism in the story by looking at the action and seeing which one of the lists it goes with.
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