Things Fall ApartThings Fall Apart was published in 1958. Its fundamental theme, in Achebe's words, is "that the African people have not heard of of culture for the first time by Europeans." It is a celebration of the depth, value and beauty of tribal society. Also of the "dignity that Africans almost lost during the colonial period". This novel has been translated into over forty languages ​​and has sold over three million copies. The title of this novel is taken from a poem by WB Yeats, "The Second Coming: Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; simple anarchy is unleashed upon the world, the blood-dimmed tide is unleashed, and everywhere the ceremony of innocence is suffocated. It is, therefore, a novel about the destruction of an era and the beginning of another: "The center cannot hold", that is, the balance that keeps all the various elements of a world and everything falls apart. Achebe sees Nigeria's colonization experience in Umophian terms the society, representative of pre-colonial Nigeria, is a vibrant, sophisticated, complex structure, with a high level of democracy - witness the endless discussions and debates between the people regarding the rules of religion and politics also the fact that titles are given based on merit and can be taken away if there is cause, so that no one can ever hide behind inherited privileges. arrival of the colonizers with their own, very distinct sense of social governance and their absolute contempt for tribal society. What gives balance and stability to Umofian society (until "Things Fall Apart") is the tension between individuality and communal concerns. The individual fights for his own honor and success (and it is usually "his", not "her"), and this feat is rewarded; but if his actions are excessive, or if they might cause harm to the larger community, they are controlled by law and religious principles. Perhaps it is Okonkwo's flaw that his desire for personal eminence and prosperity is paramount; and in the end, for him, just as for Umuofia herself, "the center cannot hold", and "things fall apart". Achebe himself indicated that Okonkwo's central flaw is his inability to achieve balance. "Okonkwo's whole life," he said, "is an attempt to make up for what his father failed to achieve. This is a great mistake..." There are people who reflect the other half of human reality, the musical side, the narrative side, as opposed to the war side (and Achebe includes both Okonkwo's father and his son, Nwoye, here), and one is as good as the 'other.