The context of Things Fall Apart influences formal elements of the novel. Such as, the inclusion of two great histories within the text and the author’s personal connection between the two leaves Chinua Achebe to use an omniscient narrative voice. With this, he is able to narrate the plot without bias resulting from his personal context. This narrative technique further allows for clearer direct characterization and an understanding of the the opposing perspectives (Igbo vs. European) through an anti-subjective lens. Achebe’s use of realism within the narrative voice leaves both identities (Igbo and English) un-idealized, but rather represents their flawed realities. The novel as well combines two genres: realistic fiction and historical fiction. Historical fiction is influenced by context, as the novel is not only set in a historical setting, but as well accurately represents past realities. Further, realistic fiction is as well included as the story portrays realistic occurrences through fictional elements, that occurred during the time of colonization.
The author has as well reflected the context through the structure of the novel. Such as, periphrasis is seen in part one of the novel, which is a linguistic idea often seen foreign within European literature. However, as part two and three successively continue on, the plot happenings became more linear. A linear plot is common western literary technique, which allows for the events in the plot to happen in a chronological order. Such a structural choice for the novel demonstrates the destruction of the Igbo society as the colonizers ‘took over’.
