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Book Review: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

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Overview

Things Fall Apart is a classic African novel by Chinua Achebe, first published in 1958. Set in pre-colonial Nigeria, it tells the story of Okonkwo, a respected warrior and leader in the Igbo village of Umuofia. The novel explores tradition, masculinity, colonialism, and cultural change, offering a powerful perspective on African society before and during European colonization.

Achebe masterfully captures the rich traditions, beliefs, and social structures of the Igbo people while also portraying the devastating effects of British colonial rule and Christian missionary influence.

Plot Summary

Okonkwo is a man driven by fear of failure and weakness, influenced by his disdain for his father, Unoka, who was considered lazy and unsuccessful. He rises to prominence through hard work and discipline but struggles with anger, pride, and rigid masculinity.

His world begins to unravel when:

– He accidentally kills a clansman and is exiled for seven years.

– During his exile, British missionaries arrive and begin converting villagers to Christianity.

– Upon returning, he finds that his people have changed and become divided under colonial influence.

– Okonkwo’s resistance to change leads to a tragic downfall.

Key Themes

1. Tradition vs. Change

The novel contrasts Igbo traditions with the disruptive force of colonialism. Okonkwo represents the old ways, but his inability to adapt leads to his downfall.

2. Masculinity and Pride

Okonkwo believes that strength equals masculinity, rejecting anything perceived as weak. His strict views alienate him from his family and community.

3. Colonialism and Its Consequences

Achebe highlights how European colonization disrupted African societies, replacing indigenous traditions with Western religion, government, and education.

4. Fate vs. Free Will

Okonkwo’s pride and choices shape his destiny, but he also struggles against forces beyond his control, such as colonial rule and societal change.

Strengths of the Book (Things Fall apart)

✔ Authentic African Perspective – Unlike many colonial-era books, Achebe tells the story from an African viewpoint, giving voice to indigenous culture.

> Rich Cultural Details – Igbo traditions, proverbs, and storytelling enrich the novel.

✔ Universal Themes – The struggle between tradition and change is relatable worldwide.

Criticism of the Book

❌ Okonkwo is difficult to sympathize with – His rigid personality and harsh decisions make him unlikeable to some readers.

❌ Slow-paced beginning – The novel takes time to build its world before reaching major conflicts.

Final Verdict

Things Fall Apart is a masterpiece of African literature, offering deep insights into pre-colonial African life, the impact of colonialism, and the dangers of rigid thinking. It’s a must-read for those interested in history, culture, and powerful storytelling.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

What are your thoughts on Okonkwo’s fate? Let’s discuss in the comments!

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Benefits of Studying International Relations

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Benefits of studying international relations. Using insights from political science, history, economics, and law, international relations (IR) is the academic field and practice that examines interactions between nations, governments, international organizations (such as the UN), corporations, and other global actors. It covers diplomacy, war, trade, human rights, security, and global issues like climate change. In a world growing more interconnected by the day, it examines international policy, global governance, economic interdependence, and conflict resolution.

BENEFITS OF STUDYING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

By examining complicated global issues like climate change, security, and economics from a variety of cultural and political perspectives, studying international relations (IR) prepares you for a variety of careers. It also fosters leadership, diplomacy, and problem-solving skills for significant roles in government, non-governmental organizations, business, and more.

Meaning;

Because international relations and diplomacy deal with global issues, they are frequently discussed simultaneously. It is crucial to remember, however, that while international relations and diplomacy are closely related, they have different meanings and ramifications.

Benefits;

Benefits of studying international relation

Benefits of studying international relation

1. You will learn transferable skills. Most international relations and diplomacy programs aim to train students for careers that need cross-cultural communication skills.

2. t isn’t just about politics. While a degree in international relations and diplomacy prepares people for a career in politics, there are numerous other employment opportunities available.

3. You can have an impact. Many people who study international relations and diplomacy do so because they have a strong personal desire to make the world a better place, regardless of their professional aspirations.

Benefits of studying international relation

Benefits of studying international relation

4. You will go through cultural immersion. To be an effective international diplomat, ambassador, lobbyist, or corporate executive focused on a specific country or region, you must immerse yourself in a different culture.

5. You will be a member of a team. International interactions never occur in isolation. Whether you are in a boardroom establishing relationships between your firm and others around the world, or in an embassy or consulate, your job will require collaboration.

 

 

 

Summary

Over the last few decades, multinational businesses have grown to generate money that exceeds the GDP of some countries, allowing these organizations to wield significant power in international politics. Technological innovation and the development of social media have brought global audiences closer together in previously unthinkable ways. And with the introduction of the 24-hour news cycle, it is now feasible to learn about what is going on almost anywhere in real-time.

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Relevance of a Bookworm

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Relevance of a bookworm. A person who enjoys reading and collecting books on a regular basis is known as a bookworm or bibliophile. The love of books is known as bibliophilia or bibliophilism. Large, specialized book collections may be possessed by bibliophiles. Old editions, signed copies, or embellished versions can be quite valuable to them. Bibliomania, a compulsive passion with collecting books that can negatively impact relationships with others or one’s health, is not the same as bibliophilia.

RELEVANCE OF A BOOKWORM

The significance of a bookworm is found in their deep knowledge, emotional intelligence, and improved cognitive abilities, which make them critical thinkers, compassionate people, and lifelong learners who benefit from lower stress and better focus. They also offer valuable perspectives in a complex world by comprehending diverse cultures, challenging presumptions, and gaining wisdom from countless experiences, as supported by studies demonstrating improved social skills and brain health.

Book’s Power;

RELEVANCE OF A BOOKWORM

RELEVANCE OF A BOOKWORM

Also, books are windows into other worlds, concepts, and viewpoints. They offer insights that have the power to change our behavior and way of thinking because they are compiled with the wisdom of generations.

Relevance;

1. Mental Acrobatics Understanding the words written on a page is not the only aspect of reading. Making connections between the dots or attempting to predict the next narrative twist will help you improve your cognitive and critical thinking abilities.

2. The Extension of Empathy Bookworms can see into unusual experiences and emotional states through reading, just like they can through any doorway to a magical world.

RELEVANCE OF A BOOKWORM

RELEVANCE OF A BOOKWORM

3. stress reduction. Reading is not only good for your brain and soul, but it’s also a way to reduce your stress and anxiety!

4. Sleeping Sanctuary. Having a bedtime reading ritual is as important as your skincare routine. Reading before you go to sleep is like giving yourself the perfect break from everyday troubles, thus improving your quality of sleep exponentially.

5. The Vocabulary Vault;

RELEVANCE OF A BOOKWORM

RELEVANCE OF A BOOKWORM

The best way to increase your vocabulary and become fluent in a foreign language is to read. The ideal environment for a bookworm is Words with Friends and Scrabble nights.

RELEVANCE OF A BOOKWORM

RELEVANCE OF A BOOKWORM

6. Interaction with Others Although some of our most treasured pals will always be our favorite characters, nothing compares to having a genuine conversation with your literary bestie. Any group can bond through shared reading interests or through reading the same books.

 

 

 

Summary

Knowledge has become the new currency of success in an era of abundant information. However, in the midst of the digital noise and distractions, the ability to be a bookworm seems to be disappearing. As Simon Sinek once said, “Leaders are readers,” highlighting the important impact that a love of reading and lifelong learning can have on both professional and personal development.

 

 

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Tips for Successful Reading

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Tips for successful reading. One of the fundamental abilities that most people learn in school is reading, which has an impact on many aspects of your life, most notably your career. Any age is a good time to start learning how to read better. You can improve your reading abilities by creating a practical strategy that you can adhere to with useful advice. In this post, we discuss the value of reading comprehension and offer practical reading advice for everyday use.

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL READING

Anyone can benefit from using reading tips, but it’s particularly beneficial if you want to increase your reading proficiency or broaden your skill set overall. Your capacity to read texts, comprehend their meaning, and retain the information is a result of your reading skills. Proficiency in reading is beneficial when communicating via letters, emails, or notes. Additionally, a lot of jobs come with written instructions or information. Here are some ways that having stronger reading abilities can benefit you at work:

1. Increasing your memory

One of the best methods for stimulating the mind is to read. Reading on a daily basis helps you focus better and strengthens your brain’s capacity to comprehend vast amounts of information. Consequently, you can enhance your capacity to commit specific facts or information to memory. Increasing your vocabulary You may simply increase your vocabulary over time once you establish a reading habit. If you want to work in a creative sector where you might need to use creative writing to communicate, this can be extremely crucial for you.

2. Increasing your vocabulary

can also help you make an impression on a prospective employer or client because it will be simpler for people to recognize your proficiency when you know how to utilize particular words to express particular emotions or circumstances. Make reading a daily habit. The secret to mastering any skill, including reading, is practice. Try allocating a specific amount of time each day to concentrate on a book or magazine of your choosing in order to improve your reading abilities. Maybe start with a little amount of time—even just 10 or 15 minutes—and progressively extend it if you have trouble focusing. Newspapers, magazines, books, blogs, and other types of texts are all available for you to read.

3. Pick a suitable reading location

Selecting a suitable location to practice reading will help you make it more accessible to yourself. Choose a comfortable, well-lit area where you can concentrate. You can locate an area with less background noise to help you focus on the text. Setting up this space with any other supplies you might require, such a dictionary, a notepad, and a pen, could also be beneficial.

4. Establish reading objectives

Setting daily reading goals is beneficial, but you may also create other objectives that are tailored to the areas you wish to get better at. To track your development, decide what you want to improve and then take proactive measures to work on it. Consider making a timetable that will enable you to finish an hour of uninterrupted reading, for instance, if you wish to increase your capacity to read for extended periods of time.

 

 

Summary

After reading a text, creating your own summary is a useful method to determine whether you truly got it. It encourages you to retain both precise information and main concepts. You have two options: either write down your summary or share what you’ve read with someone else. You can also improve your memory of the material by summarizing it in your words.

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