Things Fall Apart: Chapter 1

Albert Chinualumogu Achebe's Things Fall Apart opens with an immediate contrast between father and son-one of their differences related to finance. The son, Owankwo, appears well off and "successful" while the "grown up," Unoka, is "a failure." Owankwo seems resentful that his father didn't leave him a barn or other wealth, but instead left the world with just as many chalk marks on the wall as when he was living. To Owankwo, wealth seems to be a critical measure of success, while the father seems to get his joy out of interacting with others and playing his music. Which is more valuable? Is being rich and "successful" synonymous with being well respected? Unoka, although looked down upon for being a debtor, is treasured even by other villages for his musical talent. Does this society seem to treasure music and art, or only war? Is the son's definition of "success" correct?