begins when he is unable to adapt to the changing times and the new order imposed by the colonial government He resists change and refuses to accept the inevitability of cultural integration ultimately leading to his downfall The title Things Fall Apart also refers to Okonkwo's disintegration and loss of personal power Symbolism The title of the novel is also symbolic in that it represents the broader disintegration of African cultures and societies due to colonialism The phrase Things Fall Apart suggests a broader sense of loss and disintegration which extends beyond the specific story of the Igbo village Achebe is highlighting the destructive impact of colonialism on African cultures and societies as a whole Failure of Leadership The novel's title also highlights the failure of leadership within the Igbo community The community's leaders including Okonkwo are unable to prevent the disintegration of their culture and society They are unable to unite and resist the colonizers' influence leading to their community's downfall The title Things Fall Apart accurately captures the central themes of the novel including the disintegration of Igbo culture personal and societal disintegration failure of leadership loss of identity and disintegration of the natural world