What is it about?
This world-famous novel about the rise and fall of a powerful man gives clues to how masculinity is often tied to social norms of 'greatness'. When a catastrophic disruption (such as colonial invasion or ecological collapse) upturns social norms and long-held beliefs about what counts as good behaviour, masculinity is one of many casualties. More importantly for wider society, when it is no longer obvious what counts as virtue, or who are the admirable people in our midst, the possibilities for leadership become attenuated and cultural identity and decisiveness can be lost.
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Why is it important?
This is important because the possibility of major cultural collapse is increasing with the threat of climate change and it attendant pressures.
Perspectives
I think it is important to consider what might happen if things fall apart - and it is a pleasure to read and write about a truly wonderful piece of literature - in this case China Achebe's best-selling novel 'Things Fall Apart".
Prof Jonathan R Gosling
Exeter University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Things Fall Apart, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1057/9781137272751.0009.
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