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Comment by liamzebedee | Hacker News Reader

The ending of Things Fall Apart was one of the most emotionally impactful endings in such a brief manner that I've ever read:

"Obierika, who had been gazing steadily at his friend’s dangling body, turned suddenly to the District Commissioner and said ferociously: “That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; and now he will be buried like a dog…” He could not say any more. His voice trembled and choked his words."

Even now as I search for the quote I'm amazed after two years I can still remember the exact wording -- 'he will be buried like a dog'. Rest in peace, this wonderful author.

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Is he implying that the way dog is being buried is typically disrespectful?

Dogs don't have ceremony rites. In Igbo culture, when a prominent man dies, his burial is a ceremony that can last for days, cows are slaughtered, friends he has made across life drop everything they are doing and come for the funeral. It's a feast with as many as a thousand people. When a man kills himself by hanging himself, it's a shameful thing and the funeral is without fanfare.

Yes, If I may: in countries like Africa, dogs are usually on their own (even if they are nominally someone's pet) and quite often get run over on the road. They are left there to rot before someone buries them or throws them over to rot elsewhere without affecting traffic or roadside business. It is undignified for dogs, especially so for humans.

Countries like Africa?

sema Okal, huyu jamaa anajifanya anajua kumbe ni ujinga wake anaonyesha.

Oh my! That was harsh and cleverly concealed too! My observation was lost in translation. I have nothing against Africa. I read Achebe and consider Things Fall Apart to be one of the best books I have read along with Hundred Years of Solitude.

I didn't personally read any malice into your comment, for whatever it's worth. Sorry if my comment made your day less pleasant. I could have made my point more kindly.

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