A novel recounting the life of an upstanding Igbo man in his society just before the collapse of the traditional social structure. In latter part of the book it also looks at the confrontation of traditional Igbo society and values with European colonizers in Niger during the very early years of the 20th century.
The story is told completely from Okonkwo's perspective. Achebe develops a detailed picture of the society, its values, its structures and how different groups relate. Okonkwo, as a successful member, stands behind the values and norms of his society and strives to maintain a high socia position. Part western style tragedy, things fall apart for him partially because of bad luck, partially because of his own unbending character. And finally, because of European colonization and its effects - loss of status, loss of tribal strength and social cohesion. Unlike the other theme I was thinking about, those who live between two cultural worlds, Okonkwo refuses to engage with that foreign system of values. (I suppose, given that Achebe studied in Europe and is using essentially a western literature structure, he would be the one living between two cultures....)
