The Symbolism of Language and Proverbial Wisdom in Things Fall Apart

Author(s): Dr. Kishor Kumar Deka

Abstract:

This paper explores the symbolism of language and proverbial wisdom in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (1958), focusing on their role in expressing cultural identity and maintaining societal norms within the Igbo community. By analysing Achebe’s narrative style and the frequent use of proverbs, the paper argues that language functions as a tool for preserving cultural heritage and social order. Proverbs in the novel serve as a vehicle for transmitting collective wisdom, values, and ethics, and they illustrate the power of language in resisting colonial influences. The research further investigates the way colonialism challenges the symbolic role of language and how the Igbo people’s continued reliance on their native language reflects their resilience. The paper concludes that Achebe’s use of language and proverbs underscores the centrality of language in the Igbo community’s identity, even as it faces the cultural disruptions of colonialism.

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Pages: 46-48     |    3 View     |    0 Download