Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Proverbs in Things Fall Apart

PROVERBS in Things Fall Apart

A proverb is a short pithy saying that usually states a general truth or piece of advice. In the Umuofian society, proverbs are used very often in conversation and help people understand things better by presenting the truth and can also give them advice. Parables or myth-stories serve as a spiritual, moral and practical compass for the Igbo. They teach reasoning, tradition and cultural values. Different characters take different stories and assimilate them into their life. Okonkwo, for example, prefers the violent masculine stories of his ancestors to act out in his own exploits. Here are a few examples of proverbs used in Things Fall Apart, along with what they can be interpreted to mean.

Proverb 1: "Okonkwo was as slippery as a fish in water."(Chapter 1)
Meaning: Simply put, this proverb was intended to mean that Okonkwo was fast and agile. This particular proverb is a good example of how some were described, its intention, to give people a better understanding of a person by simply giving a metaphorical saying that he/she could easily visualize.

Proverb 2: "Proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten." (Chapter 1)
Meaning: While this proverb is more complex than the first, it still can easily be interpreted. It is essential for the reader to know that palm-oil is a very important item in Umuofian society, and is used to cook and as a fuel source. Eating the words simply is a poetic way of saying to take them in, or to gain knowledge. Basically, this one means that proverbs are, essentially, words of wisdom.

Proverb 3: "Our elders say that the sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them." (Chapter 1)
 Meaning: Unoka decided to use this complex saying to say that he will pay his biggest debtors, or people he owes more money to before the debtors that he owes less, most likely as a way to express his gratitude for the generosity of those who lend him more.

Proverb 4: "If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings." (Chapter 1)
Meaning: In the Umuofian society, if you are able to remove the footprint of your ancestors, you would be able to aspire to anyone you wished in the society. Okonkwo could not be respected, due to his father’s notoriety, until he became the notorious warrior that he was.

Proverb 5: "When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk."(Chapter 2)
Meaning: For the people of Umuofia, the moon was very important. The influence and effect of the moon on the people in the tribe was so strong that if the moon shone on them, even a cripple could walk. This was an extreme way of saying that the moon gave the tribe the power to do anything.

Proverb 6: "Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to other, let his wing break." (Chapter 3)
 Meaning: This proverb is rather complex, but it basically means that Okonkwo was ashamed of his father and was afraid of having the same misfortune of his – father and the same end.

Proverb 7: "A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness." (Chapter 3)
Meaning: According to this proverb, if you respect greatness, you will become great yourself. In addition, this proverb means that in Umuofia successful men respect greatness.

Proverb 8: "A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing" (Chapter 3)
Meaning: This proverb could mean a multitude of things, however it is quite apparent that the main meaning is that something strange does not happen for no reason at all. Obviously, a toad does not usually run in the daytime, unless something happened, and the reader can infer that the proverb means that everything happens for a reason.

Proverb 9: "An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb." (Chapter 3)
Meaning: This proverb means that someone is uneasy if something is said that affects them personally; whether it is a joke or not – they cannot laugh about it.

Proverb 10: "The lizard that jumped from high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did." (Chapter 3)
Meaning: This is a simple proverb. Even if nobody appreciates what you have done, you will remain proud of yourself since you know your accomplishment was successful.

Proverb 11: "Eneke the bird says that since men have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching." (Chapter 3)
 Meaning:  Essentially, if Nwakibie gave yams to every man who asked, many of the yams would be wasted by their lack of effort. The yams did not mean as much to someone who had not rightfully earned them. Basically, someone must know how hard others worked for what they have in order to respect the property themselves.

 Proverb 12: "You can tell a ripe corn by its look"  (Chapter 3)
 Meaning: Branching off the previous proverb, Nwakibie could tell that Okonkwo is ready to receive his gift and not take it for granted. This means that none of the yams will be destroyed

 Proverb 13: "Looking at the king's mouth, one would think he never sucked at his mother breasts" (Chapter 4)
 Meaning: Although Okonkwo once was a little baby, it feels as he never could be so vulnerable, because now is so big and robust.  It scares him to think that he could have ever been as vulnerable as he was when he was younger.

 Proverb 14: "Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble."  (Chapter 4)
 Meaning: This proverb is also rather simple. Basically, people who are blessed with luck by the gods, should be humble, and not criticize other people. They should not think they are better solely because they are luckier.

 Proverb 15: "When a man says yes his chi says yes also."  (Chapter 4)
 Meaning: A man's spirit, or chi, will guide him and help him tackle any task that is at hand once he puts his mind to it.

 Proverb 16: "They called him the little bird nza who so far forgot himself after a heavy meal that he challenged his chi." (Chapter 4)
 Meaning: This proverb could indicate that Okonkwo was ignorant and not humble. Okonkwo was said to be so proud he would challenge his own chi. Even though being proud would be a good thing, it would be bad to think a man could challenge his chi.

Proverb 17: "A child's fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which its mother puts into its palm." (Chapter 8 )
Meaning: Once again, we are shown that proverbs are complex and poetic ways of saying simple things. This one simply means that those who obey their parents will not be punished by their parents.

 Proverb 18: "When mother-cow is chewing grass its young ones watch its mouth." (Chapter 8 )
 Meaning: Children copy their parents and learn everything they do from them. It is important for parents to set a good example, or else their children will not live up to their expectations.

 Proverb 19: "If one finger brought oil it soiled the others." (Chapter 13 )
 Meaning: Basically, if you do not treat yourself for sickness, whether it be mental or physical, you will pass it on to others.

 Proverb 20: "Mother is supreme" (Chapter 14 )
 Meaning: Your mother is extremely important as she is the one who gives you life.

  Proverb 21: "Never kill a man who says nothing." (Chapter 15 )
 Meaning: If somebody never says anything to you that offends you, then you never should do wrong to them. Only if they do something wrong that offends you should you take action against them.

 Proverb 22: "There is nothing to fear from someone who shouts."
 Meaning: Men who shout should not be feared, as that is the most they will do. They will never be the type of person to take physical action; therefore, you should not fear them.

 Proverb 23: "Living fire begets cold, impotent ash." (  Chapter 16 )
 Meaning: If someone thinks too highly of himself and his influence is too much, then the person alongside them will never be able to come as successful.

Proverb 24: "A child cannot pay for his mother’s milk." (  Chapter 19 )
 Meaning: Parents who think that their children should pay them back for taking care of them are ridiculous. This is because the parents are the ones who brought them to life and therefore they are responsible for them and should take care of them by nature.

 Proverb 25: "Men have learned to shoot without missing their mark and I have learned to fly without perching on a twig." (  Chapter 24)
 Meaning: External influences have a great enough effect on people to change their fate. 

56 comments:

  1. Tanx this information was very helpful in my project

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    1. Thank you this was very helpful

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  2. This helped me alot cause i have never this book before so it gave me an insight on the proverb section. Thank you very much!

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  3. i enjoyed this book. And am using these proverbs

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  4. need proverbs for chapters 5-7 cannot find them anywhere

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    1. There are not proverbs in every chapter

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    2. Proverbs number 16 rightful translation is " When Nwa nza the bird is adequately fed to full satisfaction or no more hungry.He tells his Chi to come out for a fight, forgetting he will still get hungry again"

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  5. Proverb 23 is the last page of chapter 17... but other than that thanks for all the proverbs

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  6. In an African Perspective, parents are highly respected. So the quote a child cannot pay for his mothers milk means that a child cannot pay back their mother/parents for the work they put into you.

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  7. Things fall apart my favorite novel

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  8. I need proverbs for chapter 19
    plz

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  9. Proverb 24 is in chapter 19

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  10. hahaha i learnt this book at school but now thats when am understanding its critical meaning pass was grace

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  11. Please could you put the pages of the proverbs next time

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  12. Thanks for giving me a bit of insight*a child cant pay his mother's milk basically means whatever the child does for the parents he/she will never match the effort put on to him by his/her parents

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  13. Thank you very much. Very much useful.

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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. Abu Zobayer from Bangladesh (Student at JNU)January 11, 2021 at 5:40 AM

    Thanks a lot. It helped me a emphatically to quote in my final exam of under graduate program.

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  16. "Okonkwo was as slippery as a fish in water." This sentence is NOT a proverb but a simile.

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  17. Saved my AP literature grade, godbless

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  18. Thanks for your illustrations. I enjoyed such a classic African novel by Achebe very much.

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  19. thanks, helped me with my test

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  20. I think some are not proverbs. But thanks for the insight

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  21. This novel was my favorite in school, bless you dear

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  22. Like i really miss this book but still in my memory's

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  23. Thanks for the update I am grateful

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  24. I am so greatful for such information

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  25. I am so much excited to know the importance of proverbs being used

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  26. How can I live without this book

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  27. Very educative.It broaden my knowledge on the text.

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  28. Thanks for the info and supporting me in my assignment

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  29. Where is chapter 20,21,22, and 23

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  30. Thanks alot. I was in need of these.

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  31. Thanks,,this information has helped me alot in my assignment...

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  32. This was useful tomy study

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  33. Thanks a bunch. This is a wonderful piece. It remnds me of the text.

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  34. This is amazing l have learned alot

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  35. Good, effort. Sorry to say it though, but you got quite a few of them wrong. And, not that it means that much, but my last name is Okonkwo

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  36. I enjoyed reading this novel. I could culturally relate. I did not realise there were so many proverbs. Wow!

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  37. Pls can you add the last two of the proverbs thank you and by the way this was a very good job

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  38. Thanks For Explaining All Those Proverbs, And Many Thanks To Mr Nengome AZ For Making The Lecture Room A Conducive Environment To Well Teach And Explain This Book With Enthusiasm.

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  39. Thanks for the proverbs it was very helpful.

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  40. I like the proverbs very well

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  41. Thank alot, the book is so interesting

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  42. Things fall apart the center can't hold.

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