How Folk Literature Applies to "Things Fall Apart"
Summary:
Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" is an example of how folk tales arise from tradition and how religion arises from oral tradition.
Folk literature is applied in many different ways. It gives people a viewpoint on there culture and how to go about their life. It teaches generations of people the traditions of their culture. It instills many good values and principles in the people. Folktales have been used in the past but as of today we don't see it being emphasized as much. As for this story, the author used it to enhance it overall so he can retell a forgotten tradition. The other point was to challenge the stereotypical views on the African society.
As a culture begins traditions are born, and with traditions come religion. Religion has a great effect on culture and how they carry out their lives. Religion differs greatly among the world and that's what separates it. In the Ibo culture they live to gain the right to their afterlife. Either you had lived a life approved by society or you didn't. If you were someone of importance you would be granted the rights. If you didn't meet the standards then you didn't get the right to the afterlife. Religious myths are used to explain the depths of the meaning of life. It helps the people understand a perspective of their purpose. Religious myths are only a minor part in folktale but play a great role in oral tradition.
In the oral tradition of the Ibo it is important that each member of your family has represented your family with good moral values. The children especially reflect on how their parents are. The family structure in the Ibo culture is based around the man, and if a member has dishonored the culture it would look bad on him. So to teach each member and especially the children fables are often told. Fables have good morals and teachings from right and wrong, respect and honor, and wisdom. Such fables were told in Things Fall Apart which was similar to The Boy who Cried Wolf. This fable was a good lesson in why lying is not worth the risk and that honestly is the best policy.
Truth is the benefactor of life, and in life truth will always be revealed. At this point in many cultures proverbs play a definite role. Proverbs have been efficiently used throughout the story to depict on how respect, honesty, loyalty, and courtesy could affect the lives of the Ibo in good ways. "Pass on the good deed," as in when you have been helped out then help out another. Proverbs make it easier to contemplate with yourself and others. The overall meaning of the proverbs is that with these qualities a member of the Ibo tribe can become successful and approved in society. Proverbs help realize the truth behind the folktales and how they can be interpreted.
Folktales are the starts of oral tradition which then leads on to other folk literature to clearly express the meaning of the Ibo culture. The author used a variety in folk literature to ensure that any stereotype views were set aside and that there was a better understanding of the Ibo tribe. Without the folk literature this message would have been hard to tell because African cultures are formed around them. Folktale overall enhanced Things Fall Apart in order to describe the Ibo's ways.
This is the complete article, containing 552 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
