# Things Fall Apart

> 1958 novel by Chinua Achebe

**Wikidata**: [Q622400](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q622400)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Things_Fall_Apart)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/things-fall-apart

## Summary
*Things Fall Apart* is a 1958 novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, widely regarded as a cornerstone of modern African literature. It presents a sweeping narrative of Igbo society in pre-colonial Nigeria, challenging colonial-era stereotypes and offering an authentic portrayal of African culture. The novel’s groundbreaking perspective revolutionized global perceptions of African history and identity.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: Chinua Achebe (Nigerian novelist, poet, and literary critic)
- **Publication Date**: 1958
- **Genre**: Fiction literature (derived from imagination, not factual accounts)
- **Country of Origin**: United Kingdom (published in the UK, though set in Nigeria)
- **Literary Work Classification**:
  - Instance of: type of work of art
  - Subclass of: work of art, written work
  - Different from: version, edition or translation, fiction, written work
  - Fabrication method: writing
  - Has part: text
- **Identifiers**:
  - Wikidata ID: Q7725634
  - Open Library ID: OL35687395M
  - Google Knowledge Graph ID: /m/028kdt
  - ISNI: 0000000114506582
  - LCCN: n88645469
  - VIAF: 177467671
  - OCLC: 177467671
- **Related Works**:
  - Followed by: *No Longer at Ease* (1969)
  - Preceded by: *Arrow of God* (1964)
- **Language Availability**: English (original language)
- **Sitelink Count**: 35 (indicating global recognition and references)
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Things Fall Apart"

## FAQs
**What is *Things Fall Apart* and why is it significant?**
*Things Fall Apart* is a 1958 novel by Chinua Achebe that revolutionized African literature by presenting Igbo society from an indigenous perspective. It challenged colonial-era stereotypes and established a new canon for African storytelling, influencing global perceptions of pre-colonial Africa.

**Who is the author of *Things Fall Apart*?**
The author is Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, and literary critic, best known for pioneering modern African literature. He was educated at the University of Ibadan and the University of London and taught at institutions like Brown University.

**What genre does *Things Fall Apart* belong to?**
It is classified as fiction literature, meaning it is derived from imagination rather than factual accounts. It is a novel and a type of work of art, distinct from non-fiction or factual writing.

**Where was *Things Fall Apart* published, and what country is it associated with?**
The novel was published in the United Kingdom in 1958, though it is set in Nigeria. Its publication in the UK contributed to its global recognition as a literary landmark.

**What are the key themes of *Things Fall Apart*?**
The novel explores themes of colonialism, cultural identity, and the decline of traditional Igbo society. It challenges Western narratives of Africa and offers an authentic portrayal of pre-colonial African life.

**How does *Things Fall Apart* relate to Chinua Achebe’s other works?**
It is the first in a series of novels by Achebe, followed by *Arrow of God* (1964) and *No Longer at Ease* (1969). These works collectively redefined African literature and post-colonial discourse.

**What awards or recognition has *Things Fall Apart* received?**
While the novel itself has not received specific awards, Chinua Achebe was honored with the Peace Prize of the German Publishers' and Booksellers' Association and the Lotus Prize for Literature. His work influenced global literary discourse.

**Is *Things Fall Apart* available in multiple languages?**
Yes, it has been translated into numerous languages, reflecting its global impact and recognition. The original work is in English, with translations available in other languages.

**What is the relationship between *Things Fall Apart* and the broader field of literature?**
It is a manifestation of literature, specifically a novel, and is part of the broader category of literary works. It is linked to the "Category: Literary works" and associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work."

**How is *Things Fall Apart* maintained or curated?**
It is maintained by WikiProject Books, which ensures its accurate documentation and categorization. It is also part of the "Category: Literary works" and associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work."

## Why It Matters
*Things Fall Apart* is a foundational text in African literature, challenging colonial-era stereotypes and offering an authentic portrayal of Igbo society. Its publication in 1958 marked a turning point in global perceptions of Africa, dismantling Eurocentric narratives and asserting the dignity of African cultures. The novel’s influence extends beyond literature, shaping post-colonial discourse and inspiring generations of African writers. As a work of fiction, it serves as a cultural artifact that bridges tradition and modernity, preserving oral storytelling while adapting to literary forms. Its study remains essential for understanding African history, identity, and the impact of colonialism. Additionally, *Things Fall Apart* is meticulously cataloged and preserved in digital archives, ensuring its accessibility and scholarly engagement. Its legacy endures as a testament to the power of literature in reshaping cultural narratives and fostering global dialogue.

## Notable For
- Being the first novel by Chinua Achebe to gain international acclaim, revolutionizing African literature.
- Challenging colonial-era stereotypes and offering an authentic portrayal of Igbo society.
- Establishing a new canon for African storytelling and influencing global perceptions of pre-colonial Africa.
- Being part of the broader category of literary works and associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work."
- Having been translated into numerous languages, reflecting its global impact and recognition.
- Being maintained by WikiProject Books, ensuring its accurate documentation and categorization.
- Being linked to the "Category: Literary works" and associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work."
- Having identifiers such as Wikidata ID, Open Library ID, and Google Knowledge Graph ID for cataloging and reference.
- Being distinct from other types of written works, such as non-fiction or factual accounts.
- Serving as a cultural artifact that bridges tradition and modernity, preserving oral storytelling while adapting to literary forms.

## Body

### Definition and Nature
*Things Fall Apart* is a 1958 novel by Chinua Achebe, classified as a literary work and a type of work of art. It is a subclass of written work, composed of text and created through the process of writing. The novel is distinct from non-fiction or factual accounts, as it is derived from imagination rather than factual reporting. It is part of the broader field of literature and is associated with the "Category: Literary works."

### Classification and Relationships
*Things Fall Apart* is a manifestation of literature and is linked to the following identifiers and classifications:
- **Instance of**: type of work of art
- **Subclass of**: work of art, written work
- **Different from**: version, edition or translation, fiction, written work
- **Fabrication method**: writing
- **Has part**: text
- **Wikidata ID**: Q7725634
- **Open Library ID**: OL35687395M
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /m/028kdt
- **ISNI**: 0000000114506582
- **LCCN**: n88645469
- **VIAF**: 177467671
- **OCLC**: 177467671

### Author and Context
The author of *Things Fall Apart* is Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, and literary critic. He was educated at the University of Ibadan and the University of London and taught at institutions like Brown University. His work is associated with the broader field of literature and is part of the "Category: Literary works." The novel is set in Nigeria and was published in the United Kingdom in 1958.

### Cultural and Academic Context
*Things Fall Apart* is foundational to the field of literature and is studied and preserved in academic and cultural contexts. It is linked to the following:
- **University of Barcelona authority ID**: 981060927480506706
- **Dictionary of Archives Terminology ID**: literary-works
- **Encyclopedia of China (third edition) ID**: 223088
- **Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging ID**: 13535
- **Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae ID**: R5CMB55TONDPPKYZCQSNGMQASA

### Maintenance and Curation
*Things Fall Apart* is maintained by WikiProject Books, which ensures its accurate documentation and categorization. It is also part of the "Category: Literary works" and is associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work" for structured representation.

### Distinction from Other Concepts
*Things Fall Apart* is distinct from the general term "Werk" and has a separate descriptive page to ensure clarity in classification. It is also different from "version, edition or translation" and "fiction," which are considered separate entities.

### Role in Digital and Cultural Archives
The novel is cataloged and preserved in digital and cultural archives using specific identifiers and classification systems, ensuring its long-term accessibility and scholarly engagement. It is associated with the following Wikipedia languages: arz, ca, cs, de, en, eo, es, hu, io, pl, pt, ro, ru, sk, sr, uk, ur, vi, zh.

### Related Works
*Things Fall Apart* is followed by *No Longer at Ease* (1969) and preceded by *Arrow of God* (1964). These works collectively redefine African literature and post-colonial discourse. The novel is also part of the broader field of literature and is associated with the "Category: Literary works."

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
The novel is associated with the following technical identifiers and standards:
- **P18**: Things Fall Apart books 02.jpg
- **P214**: 177467671
- **P227**: 4443314-1
- **P244**: n88645469
- **P268**: 11967456h
- **P269**: 027684415
- **P409**: 35000724
- **P646**: /m/028kdt
- **P648**: OL35687395M
- **P724**: thingsfallapart00ache_ldx
- **P1036**: 823
- **P1085**: 5061284
- **P1149**: PR9387.A3
- **P1417**: topic/Things-Fall-Apart
- **P1476**: Things Fall Apart
- **P1617**: 2b9497ef-be45-47a1-9742-e14a22882b5d
- **P3417**: Things-Fall-Apart-1958-book
- **P3959**: 001829634
- **P4839**: Entity["Book", "ThingsFallApart"]
- **P5749**: 0141023384
- **P6175**: 5018
- **P6839**: Literature/ThingsFallApart
- **P8189**: 987007602036105171
- **P8383**: 825843
- **P9818**: 565351

### Influence and Legacy
*Things Fall Apart* has had a profound influence on African literature and global perceptions of Africa. It is a foundational text that challenges colonial-era stereotypes and offers an authentic portrayal of Igbo society. The novel’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of literature in reshaping cultural narratives and fostering global dialogue. It is associated with the following Wikipedia languages: arz, ca, cs, de, en, eo, es, hu, io, pl, pt, ro, ru, sk, sr, uk, ur, vi, zh.

## References

1. [Source](https://archive.org/details/thingsfallapart0000ache_h2i9/page/n227/mode/2up)
2. [Source](https://www.unhcr.org/fr/subsites/promref/4b30f7d93d/achebe-chinua.html)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://www.librarything.com/work/5061284/t/Things-Fall-Apart)
5. [Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe | LibraryThing](https://www.librarything.com/work/5061284)
6. BBC Things
7. [Source](https://www.amazon.com/Things-Fall-Apart-Penguin-Classics/dp/0141023384#featureBulletsAndDetailBullets_feature_div)
8. Goodreads