Things Fall Apart:
Bullet Point Revision Notes
English Literature International GCSE:
The theme of friendship:
• friendship is important throughout the novel, particularly for Okonkwo and
members of his family, who seek friendship for companionship and for someone
to turn to in times of trouble
• Unoka, Okonkwo’s father, enjoyed drinking palm wine with his friends and this
led to Unoka’s being idle and wasteful. Okonkwo is determined not to be like his
father. His fear of being like his father drives him; the fear causes Okonkwo to be
excessively aggressive as he viewed his father as weak and does not want to show
any signs of weakness.
• Okonkwo values his friendship with constant and loyal friend Obierika. Obierika
is a contrast to Okonkwo. Obierika thinks before he acts and does not believe in
unnecessary violence. He is receptive to new ideas and is prepared to adapt:
‘Who knows what may happen tomorrow?’
• despite their different personalities, Obierika comforts Okonkwo after
Ikemefuna is murdered, even though he has warned Okonkwo not to take part.
Okonkwo can only sleep peacefully after talking with his friend. Obierika looks
after Okonkwo’s crops when Okonkwo is exiled and ensures that he receives the
profits. It is Obierika who visits Okonkwo when he is in exile and tells him about
the murder of a white man in Abame. Obierika remains loyal to Okonkwo even
after Okonkwo commits suicide. Obierika blames the Commissioner for his
friend’s death
• Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son, forms a close friendship with Ikemefuna. They plant
crops together and spend their free time in each other’s company. When
Bullet Point Revision Notes
English Literature International GCSE:
The theme of friendship:
• friendship is important throughout the novel, particularly for Okonkwo and
members of his family, who seek friendship for companionship and for someone
to turn to in times of trouble
• Unoka, Okonkwo’s father, enjoyed drinking palm wine with his friends and this
led to Unoka’s being idle and wasteful. Okonkwo is determined not to be like his
father. His fear of being like his father drives him; the fear causes Okonkwo to be
excessively aggressive as he viewed his father as weak and does not want to show
any signs of weakness.
• Okonkwo values his friendship with constant and loyal friend Obierika. Obierika
is a contrast to Okonkwo. Obierika thinks before he acts and does not believe in
unnecessary violence. He is receptive to new ideas and is prepared to adapt:
‘Who knows what may happen tomorrow?’
• despite their different personalities, Obierika comforts Okonkwo after
Ikemefuna is murdered, even though he has warned Okonkwo not to take part.
Okonkwo can only sleep peacefully after talking with his friend. Obierika looks
after Okonkwo’s crops when Okonkwo is exiled and ensures that he receives the
profits. It is Obierika who visits Okonkwo when he is in exile and tells him about
the murder of a white man in Abame. Obierika remains loyal to Okonkwo even
after Okonkwo commits suicide. Obierika blames the Commissioner for his
friend’s death
• Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son, forms a close friendship with Ikemefuna. They plant
crops together and spend their free time in each other’s company. When
