If One Finger Brought Oil - Things Fall Apart Part 1: Crash Course Literature 208 

Should've done an open letter to yams. 'Cause that was half the book.

Okonkwo beats his youngest wife, Ojiugo, during the Week of Peace. He beats his second wife, Ekwefi, during the Feast of the New Yam and tries to shoot her. Two separate incidents. Otherwise, great work!!!

I'm an Ibo girl so I can relate strongly to this book. I love Chinua Achebe's book for many reasons: 1. Things Fall Apart is the most inspiring and enlightening depiction of Igbo life and customs. Achebe skilfully portrayed the book in an eloquent manner, while still incorporating our great Ibo rituals and customs. He even uses idioms that are drenched in wisdom, showing the Ibo man's extra ordinary intellect. The Igbo tribe is probably the only ethnic group in Nigeria to not have a monarch, we use a democracy. The traditional ruler system came only when the British landed. They needed to govern the state using indirect rule so kings or 'eze' was put in place. This is however a recent addition and has no linkage to Ibo philosophy. We believe strongly in hard work, free will and speech, probably why the British found us a troublesome lot. People in power don't like being questioned, especially when they are unfairly taking your resources. Another important topic anyway. Most people assume that all Africans are the same. This is just ignorance. Its like referring to all Europeans as the same, when we know its not true. Geography is not the same as sociology. Just because we all live on the same continent, does not mean we don't have diverse cultures. 2. He did justice to black people especially by depicting Africans in a more humane manner, like we all are. Other books written by Europeans downplayed our humanity arrogantly, as though African's had no culture or history before they arrived, portraying the black man as an untamed savage needing colonisation (how I hate the word). Like Achebe mentioned in his last book 'There was a country' he stated that there is nothing more arrogant than to say to someone my culture is better, use mine. That's arrogance to the upmost. 3. The book makes me very proud to be Igbo. In spite of the trouble faced in Nigeria now, I can at least appreciate the culture that my people had before the Biafra War and Colonisation. Nigeria would have been so successful if not for the Biafra war that claimed so many lives of the Ibo, more than 6 million, greater than the Holocaust of the Jews. The Biafra story is downplayed more than ever in Nigeria, which is unfortunate when injustice occurred. After the ethnic cleansing, the Ibo have been marginalised considerably ever since, much like the Rwanda crisis. Chinua Achebe is a literature Hero. His book as been published in so many languages and appealed to many people who have experience colonisation or the ripping away of culture. He remarkably touched the hearts of so many, tapping into one of Africa's historical episodes and trashing the belief that Africa has no soul or culture. Nice work John Green. Love your videos.

"You can't drink a bottle of strawberry wine without vomiting" : Looking for Alaska reference. *that moment when your favorite author makes a reference to his own book*

Watching to put off finishing reading the book. Productive procrastination?

When I first read Things Fall Apart, I absolutely hated it. All the qualities that I valued in a person were absent in Okonkwa, and all I could see in him was a monster. However, when I reread the book I came to realize exactly where my hatred was stemming from. Chinua Achebe is such a talented author, that he allowed even me, opposite in ever possible way from Okonkwa, to relate and sympathize to him. The fact that I could see myself in Okonkwa wasn't a pleasant experience, and lead me to hate the story. Things Fall Apart has honestly been the most formative pieces of literature that I have ever read. It has helped me to understand other people in a way I was unable to before.

I just realized, it was genius of Achebe to make Okonkwo stubborn.Achebe is trying to show people Africans had a culture of their own. This is an idea that a lot of people would not accept because it's a new idea, but by making Okonkwo stubborn, and not capable of changing his ideas, Achebe could make people connect with Okonkwo and see that Africa truly had their own culture.

Hey John Green, I'm doing a report on this book and I noticed that you actually got some stuff wrong. Okonkwo did beat his wife Ojiugo during the week of peace but he didn't shoot at her, that was his wife Ekwefi a few days before the Yam Festival. Ekwefi made a sly remark about him not being able to shoot anything, which pissed him off so he tried to shoot her and missed. If you wanna check for yourself, the Week of Peace incident is in chapter 4 and the Yam Festival incident is in chapter 5. I use these videos to help study for exams and I'm willing to bet other people do too, so if you could please fix this for the sake of others I would greatly appreciate it.

He doesn't try to shoot his third wife during the week of peace, he tries to shoot his second wife Ekwefi. After he's beaten her for taking leaves off of the banana tree she makes a snide remark about his hunting ability so he aims at her and fires.

As a schoolkid I hated assigned reading mostly because I was already an avid reader on my own and I didn't enjoy being forced to put down something of my own choosing to slog through an assigned text. But this was one of the first assigned books that I really fell in love with.

My friend titled this book: "Yams and Wives"

Hey John as a nerdfighter from Nigeria i just want to say thanks. Awesome episode read this when i was a child and never really appreciated its message till now.

"...sad on like 82 different levels. That's what makes it so good." -YAS The depth and complexity!!

Chinua Achebe was a great Igbo man that portrayed our Igbo culture well in his internationally recognized book "THINGS FALL APART". I read "Things Fall Apart" from the first page to the end over and over again. "Things Fall Apart" was intelligently and skillfully written by Chinua Achebe; the Author of great repute. The late Achebe left a good legacy that will make the world remember him for a long time.

'Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it was the emotion of anger.' And even in our modern western world, so many men learn exactly the same thing. This is going on my 'to read' list.

This was one of my favorite books among required college reading back then. It really spoke to me in many ways.

This is the first time that you've talked about a book that I haven't already read. I blame public schools in the 90's.

there is a lot of 'deeper meaning' that you try to explain here- some that while reading the book i never thought of. However, i cant help feeling that a true sense of the book and the real essence of the book was left out. A true meaning that can only be grasped by a REAL understanding of the Igbo culture, an understanding that is not limited to, and certainly not focused on the 19th century. Ikemefuna's death was not only the breaking point for Okonkwo, it signified the innate weakness he possessed. i would go into more details but that would require an entire lecture on Igbo culture!! thanks anyways!! i've got somethings to ponder about!!

I read this book for my English Class and while i appreciated what Achebe did for Africa and his representation of Africa in literature, it still was a very long and dry book. I felt like it was a task to read.

I feel like this is just is just a big review of my sophomore literature curriculum.

One of my favorite books from high school English. I was surprised they didn't mention that the title is a reference to Yeats' "The Second Coming," which also deals with change, the destruction of tradition/the status quo, and the uncertainty of what comes next.

I read this book in the 7th grade and I love it so so much. And as a person coming from a colonized area of east Africa, I rarely ever see African literature get represented. Just this video existing really just makes my life. Thanks so much

I'm so glad Crash Course is covering Things Fall Apart. It was one of those books that I went into without much of a framework and it promptly shook me by the throat and changed my perception of the world in a very definite, positive way. Favorite quote: "There is no story that is not true. The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others."

I raise my cup of palm wine to you Mr. Green. Happy you have counted my brother Chinua among the giants. The book is really great, notice how Okonkwo's friend was a deep thinker? He predicted the future when he told Okonkwo that he might come to grief for killing Ikemefuna. Ikemefuna means ''May my strength not be wasted or may I never be weak'' by the way. I pray you grow from strength to strength. Please keep the videos coming.

Wow, this story seems extremely interesting. I'm Hispanic, and tradition and hard work are a major factor for most Latinos. This often makes many Latinos I know very narrow minded as they block out other things. They question why I don't participate in sports or why I would enjoy anything animated at the age of 23, whether it be video games, anime, or even this very youtube channel. They laugh at me when my Spanish isn't absolutely perfect, while many of them barely speak English. Perhaps the biggest way I can relate to this story is how I questioned my family's religious beliefs and how that them VERY hostile towards me, which made me start to seriously hate religion. When Okonkwo raged at his kid looking into other worldviews, I just saw my self. I don't hate any religion anymore, though I disagree heavily with the supernatural claims they make.

we read this novel in my freshman year of high school in my global history honors class. everyone else hated it but i loved the hell out of it. i'm so glad to see someone else explore how phenomenal this novel is!

In which John Green teaches you about Chinua Achebe's 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart. You'll learn about Igboland, a region in modern day Nigeria, prior to the arrival of the British Empire. Achebe tells the story of Okonkwo, an Igbo villager who has worked his way up from life as a sharecropped and become a respected leader in his community. Okonkwo has a tragic fall, and is exiled. And then the trouble starts. British missionaries arrive, and change everything. Things Fall Apart has a lot to say about colonization, and even something to say about decolonization. If One Finger Brought Oil - Things Fall Apart part I: Crash Course Literature 208

CrashCourse spider was better then most jump scares in horror stuff i have seen lately.

wow, its been 3 almost 4 years since i've read this book. thanks for setting me back to AP English. Thanks John!

Okonkwo = Tywin Lannister. Just realized this now.

I can't wait for part 2, also, thanks for doing an episode while you were sick, that's some dedication.

Igbo is pronounced ee-bo

I wrote my final essay for high school about this novel. It's a tough novel to get through, but writing an essay about it was absolutely one of the most interesting things I've ever done.

I read this book for this year in high school. After finishing it, I didn't think the book was very good. But delving in deeper, you may find yourself hopelessly intrigued with it.

8:00 - "Living Fire begets cold, impotent Ash". Ah! I see why Dads are so disappointed with their sons at times.

it's crazy to me how many people in the comments seem to hate this book. i loved it! i read it all in one night, which i RARELY do unless i'm really hooked. i know the main character is difficult to like and the narrative is sort of slow and meandering, but i thought the language itself was beautiful and the book's themes were fascinating. i'd never read anything else like it.

I am literally writing a paper about this right now. Mr. Green you are PSYCHIC

After "Things Fall Apart" my hopes are high for One Hundred Years of Solitude. Latin America represented at it finest.

Me and my friends had a literature exam based on things fall apart. They read the whole damn book while I watched this video. They failed, I passed. Thanks John Green Thanks cc literature

I love this book and was so excited to see that you were going to talk about it! :-)

Okonkwo's relationship with his father is also from how he suffered when he was growing up. His father never did the work he was supposed to do and left it on his wivess and son's shoulders while they continued to starve and live in poverty. Then, to top it all off, the cause of his father's death was a disease seen as evil by the village and then he was an outcast. Okonkwo's fear and motivation to be nothing like his father is exactly what drove him to become the same kind of outcast in the end. It all came full circle. I view it as a Tragic Hero (when thinking along the term of the Hero's Journey); characterized mainly by the failing to obtain the "holy grail", when Okonkwo is exiled, he fails to learn the error of his anger, and it becomes his downfall.

Excellent review! Made the book come alive even more profoundly for me. However, Okonkwo breaks the peace by beating his third wife, Ojiugo. The shooting incident happens later - when he beats his second wife, Ekwefi, she insults him as he is going out to hunt with his gun, so he tries to shoot her with it! Also, he is exiled for only the last transgression, the accidental killing of a boy.

Love listening to these and hearing about all the stuff you teach. Thanks for the great entertainment and spreading of knowledge. Hope you feel better soon!

This was my first crash course video and I just loved it. Thankyou for rekindling my passion for reading

the ending still has me fucked up

I read this book last year, and am one of the few in my class who genuinely enjoyed it. That aside, I adore the Thought Bubble portion of your Crash Course videos!

you, sir, are brilliant. can't wait for part 2!

Things Fall Apart is an amazing book! I read it at Uni as part of my Post-Colonial English Literature course and it has stuck with me since.

I know mispronunciation is your thing, John... but it's pronounced Ee-bo with an over emphasized b. (I say this because my surname includes this hard to pronounce diphthong and it sounds grating hearing the g pronounced). Just me nitpicking an amazing talk. It's beautiful to see greatness from what I once thought as a secondary school literature textbook (seriously the West African Examination Council has it as one of the preferred reading materials... it's like our Dickens). If you have room for a Literature 3 you could include Efua T. Sutherland's "Marriage of Anansewa" which takes from Akan story telling traditions in a post-colonial setting, or the Nigerian adaptation of "Everyman". Heck or you could do "Journey to the West". *Sigh* It just goes to show, Literature is not merely the text read; It's the exploration of gains. What is gained in reading and having read?. Is it a new found knowledge of culture, opinion or fact? Or is it a new found experience or an emotional response you weren't expecting? Good literature provides all these. A multi-verse of new experiences each with it's own outcome and journey to explore.

Is this real life? But no seriously we are currently studying this is English plus I recently decided its one of my favorite books ever. It's literally sitting on my desk right now. Not only that, in my most recent essay for the book, I quoted John Green to "imagine other people complexly" aaaaaaah thanks for covering it I'm not sure how well known it is but it's a great book, seemingly simple writing style actually covers an excellent novel.

As an Igbo man who has witnessed first hand someone of the themes that were portrayed in the book, I can say with some confidence that Mr.Green's breakdown of the story is both accurate and informative. Thank you for devoting your time to this book.

I'm really excited you posted this because we're literally in the middle of this book in my English class! Thank you!

I wish you could be my 8th grade teacher next year, you're AWESOME

It should be remembered that the novel does not give the Igbo culture any breaks. Neither the colonialists nor the Igbo are portrayed in a positive light. Okonkow beats his wives, and kills his adopted son to avoid seeming weak. His brutality is exacerbated by his culture. The novel doesn't paint the Igbo as the "noble savages" with no internal problems. In many ways, the culture was falling apart even before the colonialists got there.

Thank you SO MUCH for doing Things Fall Apart (in a widening gyre). I read it back in undergrad and no one I know now has read it. I have no one to talk to about it and it's such an amazing book. Those last few pages are quite the punch in the face too. Also, I remember a lot of yams being discussed, lol.

YOU GUYS ARE SOOO FLIPPING AWESOME! I WISH I had this when I was in college!

This is amazing! Thank you so much!

I don't think you should feel obligated to apologize for having a cold. Just take extra care of yourself and get well soon!

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE. SO EXCITED

I've read Things Fall Apart.. and its a good read.

Hard work doesn't get you ahead. Having a rich father, ruthlessness, not seeing other people as human, not caring about the long term affects of your actions, and acting like you're entitled to get ahead is what gets you ahead sadly.

This was one of my favorite novels when I was in high school. Stay cool, John Green

I really love this book. It's one of those that simply overflows with meaning.

I wish you had posted this several months earlier when we were actually doing the book.

OMG WHERE WAS THIS WHEN I HAD A TEST ON IT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

I am reading this right now and it is a great book. I love how it just kinda flows and right now there is not really a plot it's just showing how they live in their village and it's fascinating

This is one of my favourite books and coming from Nigeria, I feel that this is covered expertly. Keep up the good work Crash Course!

We just started learning about colonization and imperialism in Africa in my history class.

You mentioned the Tennyson quote, but what about the title of the book itself? It comes from Yeats's wonderful poem "The Second Coming."

Love, love, LOOOVEE Crashcourse! I know you guys don't take requests, but it would be so awesome if you did a special crashcourse on one of the works of Gabriel Garcia Marques. Thank you for the great work!

Fair play for not just doing American literature on this playlist. Great variety by country and era

This is one of my favorite books and love to hear critical analysis of the story.

aww do you need some tea John Green

I read this book in my AP World History course, it was amazing. I'm glad you chose this for a topic.

Thank you so much for doing this book!!!This is the reason I read it and I'm so glad I did.

I cant believe after years of reading in school and college this is the only novel I read about Africa......

DO THE KITE RUNNER!

Really liked this book! Glad your doing it on crash course!!

This was honestly perfect, I have a test on TFA tomorrow and while I was procrastinating studying I saw this in my sub box. Thanks so much for this help!

01:24 Holy crap! I jus realised that was black panther from the avengers XD

I don't usually watch these in full screen, but when I do, they put spiders that take up the whole screen... On a different note, why isn't this "To Kill a Mockingbird?"

This just brought a wave of nostalgia and I'm reminded of when TFA was my textbook in literature class hahaha. Good job guys!

One of the better Crash Course Literature episodes :)

wait you didn't do an open letter?!

just had to show the spider right 😩

Wow! You've made this video just in time for my upcoming IB English exam - very timely of you, John Green.

I literally read this book earlier this week after a friend/teacher recommended it to me, I was ecstatic when I saw that you made a Crash Course on it! I enjoyed this book immensely, despite how sad it was.

John, if you don't give your voice a rest the resulting damage could be permanent. Go see a throat specialist because this has gone on too long. You Tube can do reruns for a bit. One human being to another human being.

Well, seeing this book in the context of colonialism makes it make so much more sense. I feel it was a grievous oversight of my teacher to not present the book in this context; we just had vague statements about Okonkwo's personality. And the importance of yams (I'm not joking, we probably talked more about yams and locusts than anything else).

Closing statement is spot on.

Fear and insecurity, man the worst things to be driven forward by. Of course, its not so easy to dispell things that lie so deep and close to the heart

Please, I beg of you, do crash course quantum physics/mechanics.

OMG, this spoiled the whole book for me I thought it was called "part 1" for a reason! I haven't even read the part where his gun explodes! JK, love your videos! (But it's till true)

I am prepared for my essay tomorrow haha. Thanks John! Couldn't have gotten a better explanation

sometimes the quotes are so beautiful I could cry

Fear...hatred...ignorance...and GREED. The things that happened to these places wasn't because people just hated other people. European governments/monarchs, and business entrepreneurs who profited vastly from it taught their people to hate and despise others as inferior or whatever because it maks it easier for people to murder, abuse, and extort them. While fear, hatred, and ignorance does happen, it does not happen on that large a scale. Most of it came from propaganda, and it evolved through culture.

In my uni literature course, we covered Heart of Darkness. One of the secondary readings was Achebe's response to Heart of Darkness. He's far from kind to it. I disagree with Achebe's assertion that Heart of Darkness is an inherently racist novel. Virtually _every_ time Conrad wrote about how _different_ the Africans were to the Europeans, he drew parallels, basically pointing out how deep down, we're the same. The Thames is the same as the Congo. The whites are the same as the blacks. There is a primal essence that joins us. Marlow even thinks he feels a pull to join the Africans, at one point. Achebe says, disdainfully, that Conrad is saying things are best in their place, as if he's saying Africans shouldn't leave Africa, and Europeans shouldn't leave Europe. I think Conrad's meaning with that was the _harm_ the Europeans had done to the African way of life. He lamented that the savage who was "fireman" should have been on the riverbank shouting and clapping, instead of slaving away in front of a boiler. I think that's a fairly clear sentiment that it was _wrong_ to take him from his home.

I finished reading this book yesterday. This video make me smile. I love it. Thank you! Extremely good book.

thank you sooo much! you put this up at just the right time. its almost funny that youre discussing a book that im learning right now.

There was no open letter