How are the themes described in Things Fall Apart in chapter 1?

Some themes that are established in chapter 1 of Achebe's Things Fall Apart are: the relationship between the tribes and traditions and their ancestors; and the emphasis on masculinity (particularly in relation to Okonkwo's character).

The first chapter introduces us to the protagonist, Okonkwo, and his village, Umuofia. The importance of tradition to the village and to Okonkwo are set up for us already in chapter 1, but these themes will, of course, continue to...

Some themes that are established in chapter 1 of Achebe's Things Fall Apart are: the relationship between the tribes and traditions and their ancestors; and the emphasis on masculinity (particularly in relation to Okonkwo's character).

The first chapter introduces us to the protagonist, Okonkwo, and his village, Umuofia. The importance of tradition to the village and to Okonkwo are set up for us already in chapter 1, but these themes will, of course, continue to be important for the rest of the novel. Breaking the kola and praying to the ancestors are some of the traditions described in this chapter (page 6). The importance of proverbs is also mentioned. These traditional African proverbs are littered throughout the text. Tradition becomes a crucial theme later in the novel when the Christian missionaries come to Umuofia and begin converting some of the tribespeople. Okonkwo, however, is a traditionalist and attempts to fight against the wave of change that has overcome his village during his exile and after he returns.

Another important theme connected to our protagonist is the importance of masculinity and what it symbolizes in Umuofia. Okonkwo is hyper-masculine, and part of his excessive manliness is a result of his father Unoka, of whom Okonkwo is ashamed. Unoka was a musician and did not like to work; he was poor and always borrowing from others. On the other extreme, Okonkwo insists that his sons be masculine, which leads to conflict with Nwoye, and Okonkwo takes great pride in his own success growing yams. Ironically, Okonkwo is exiled for a "female crime" when he accidentally shoots the son of an elder at that elder's funeral. Okonkwo must go to his mother's village and is humbled by the experience. However, Okonkwo still seems to hold on to his conservative view of gender roles. For Okonkwo, failure and success are even coded in terms of gender.