Interpreting Ibo Proverbs In "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe

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Ibo Proverbs

† “Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten” Because the art of conversation is regarded very highly in the Ibo culture, the use of proverbs makes conversation classier. Here, the proverbs are likened to palm-oil. Perhaps the writer is trying to explain that just as some cultural dishes cannot be complete without palm-oil; some conversations cannot be complete without proverbs.

† "A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness." Okonkwo is explaining the reason why he has come to Nwakibie. A man that becomes successful should always be respectful because by respecting those above him, he becomes more successful in life.

†"An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb." This means that if a person has a problem with something, he does not laugh at a joke involving that problem.  In other words, he does not feel comfortable hearing that joke because it has something to do with him. Here this proverb is mentioned together with a joke about somebody who refused to honour his father’s shrine with a fowl. Okonkwo feels uneasy as he remembers his idle father.

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†"The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did." Okonkwo is explaining his hardworking nature to Nwakibie and his neighbours and sons. He feels proud with what he has done, and what he can achieve, and he will be proud of his achievements, and praise himself, even if nobody recognises them.

. † "Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble." This proverb is mentioned after Okonkwo calls Osugo a “woman” at the meeting. It suggests that a person should ...

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