Things Fall Apart Literary Devices

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Harpal Dhillon January 20, 2015 Ms.Makeriwisz Period 3/4/5 MWT Oral Tradition: “He presented a kola nut and an alligator pepper, which were passed round for all to see and then returned to him. He broke the nut saying “We shall all live. We pray for life, children, a good harvest and happiness.’You will have what is good for you and I will have what is good for me. Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to the other, let his wing break. “ (Narrator and Okonkwo, page 19) The oral tradition is for people to say “We shall all live. We pray for life, children, a good harvest and happiness.” after breaking a kola nut. The meaning of this is to wish for prosperity for all. This is important in the novel because when Okonkwo interferes with the Christians’ way of life at the end of the novel his “wing breaks”(he dies). So this oral tradition forshadows the end of the novel and further pushes the message that compromise is necessary for unity. “Who will wrestle for our village? Okafo will wrestle for our village. Has he thrown a hundred men? He has thrown four hundred men. Has he a thrown a hundred Cats? He has thrown four hundred Cats. Then send him word to fight for us.” (People of Umofia, page 51) This is an oral tradition because the people of Umofia say this after every big wrestling match. They say this after Okafo wins a big wrestling match in Umofia. This is indicative of how the Umofian people are easily flexible. They declare Okafo as being stronger than Okonkwo (essientially), despite Okafo not being as accomplished as Okonkwo. So this characterizes the people of Umofia. Folklore: “And then the egwugwu appeared. The women and children sent up a great shot and took to their heels.”Each of the nine egwugwu represented a village of the clan. Their leader was called Evil Forest. Smoke poured out of

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