Here's why:
* Third-person narration: The story is told from a third-person perspective, meaning the narrator uses "he," "she," and "they" to refer to the characters. This is a common way to write fiction, but it creates a distance between the narrator and the author.
* Objective voice: The narrator doesn't seem to have strong opinions or feelings about the characters or events. They present information in a relatively neutral way, even when dealing with sensitive topics. This objectivity adds to the feeling of detachment between the narrator and the author.
* Cultural understanding: Achebe, as a Nigerian writer, has a deep understanding of Igbo culture. However, the narrator in *Things Fall Apart* doesn't always show this same level of cultural knowledge. Sometimes, the narrator offers explanations of Igbo customs, suggesting they aren't fully immersed in that culture.
Overall, while Chinua Achebe created the world and characters of *Things Fall Apart*, he chose a narrative voice that is separate from his own. This allows for a more detached and objective telling of the story, which is important for achieving the book's themes of colonialism and cultural clash.