In Achebe's book, "Things Fall Apart", the life of a Nigerian man named Okowkwo is described. At first glance, it may seem that Okowkwo's story is the main theme of the book, but upon further examination it is easy to see that the plight of his indigenous Igbo population is the main theme representing what really fell apart. Achebe introduces the reader to the intricate culture of the Igbo people from the first chapters of the book. It describes the rituals, laws and religion of these people with great attention to detail allowing the reader to further understand and identify with the Igbo people on a personal level. An example of this is the kola nut tradition and how it is shared when welcoming someone into a home. Achebe writes: “Unoka accepted the honor of breaking the kola. Okoye, meanwhile, took the piece of chalk, drew some lines on the floor and then painted his big toe” (Achebe, 1994, p. 6). This is a great representation of a common welcoming custom used by the Igbo people. Achebe continues this introduction in chapters two and three where he introduces the reader to the religious beliefs of the Igbo people and their land goddess along with their laws when a wife is killed in a nearby village (Achebe, 1994). Raised in the deep traditions of his native Nigerian people, Achebe's personal insight and family history allow him to provide details in a way that allows the reader to have an intimate understanding of the inner workings of Igbo culture. This insight has the personal touch of Achebe's family history which shows his personal ability to identify with the ways of the Igbo people allowing the reader to feel a connection with the Igbo people (University of North Carolina, 2014). Achebe uses foreshadowing.... ..middle of paper......the man is very intelligent. He came in silence and at peace with his religion. We were amused by his stupidity and allowed him to stay. Now our brothers have won and our clan can no longer behave as if it were one. He pulled a knife on the things that held us together and we fell apart” (Achebe, 1994, p. 100). Works Cited Achebe, C. (2012). How things fell apart. Retrieved from http://www.guernicamag.com/features/how-things-fell-apart/ Achebe, C. (1994). Things fall apart. New York: Random House, Inc. Scafe, S. (2002). Wherever something stands, something else will stand beside it: the ambivalence in Achebe's things falls apart and arrow of god. Changing English: Studies in reading and culture. 9(2). 119-131.University of North Carolina. (2014). Chinua Achebe biography and style. Retrieved from http://www.unc.edu/~hhalpin/ThingsFallApart/achebebio.html