It is said that the only thing certain in one's life is change. In the Umuofia village the potential for change is often disregarded because of a strong belief in tradition. When change is no longer avoidable for the village of Umuofia, or for Okonkwo, a highly esteemed member of that village, things begin to fall apart.
             Sometimes it is only in hindsight that we can see why things turn out the way they do. Several events in the book Things Fall Apart have an effect on Okonkwo and the rest of his village. Some of these events can be
             The first main event in the story was when the Mbaino villagers kill a woman from Umuofia, the people of Umuofia feel that a war should not take place, but rather a deal should be made. Within that deal was an agreement that the Mbaino village would give the Umuofia village a young man. Since Okonkwo was the person assigned to retrieve him from Mbaino, he was given the responsibility of caring for the boy. The boy's name was Ikemefuna, and although he missed his family dearly, he adapted to life with Okonkwo's family quite well. He became very fond of Okonkwo's eldest son, Nwoye, and even started calling Okonkwo, father. Though Okonkwo concealed his feelings from the people around him, passages in the book display his affection for Ikemefuna; "Even Okonkwo himself became very fond of the boy [Ikemefuna] – inwardly of course. Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger."Pg.28
             Three years after the arrival of Ikemefuna, Umuofia made the decision to kill Ikemefuna. They believed that the Oracle of the Hills and Caves had announced it. When Okonkwo received the news he was told to not take any part in the boy's murder because of their relationship. Not wanting to appear "effeminate", Okonkwo chose to accompany the executioners despite the warning. When the time came for Ikemefuna to be killed, Ikemefuna ran to Okonkwo in search...