In these chapters we gain an insight into Okonkwo's relationships with Nwoye, Ikemefuna and Ezinma. Why does Okonkwo feel and behave as he does towards each of these characters? What was your response to Okonkwo as a result of these revelations?
Okonkwo never openly expressed his fondness for his children. In fact, he did not display any emotion at all, unless it was anger, due to the fear of showing a sign of weakness. Therefore, he treated each of his family members with “a heavy hand”. However, some of his subtle actions revealed his undoubtable affection for Ikemefuna. Time to time, Okonkwo allowed Ikemefuna to accompany him like a son to important village meetings and communal ancestral feasts. Ikemefuna had become to be a part of his family and Okonkwo saw that he could become a man that he would be satisfied with. Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna because he could not cope with himself collapsing under emotions. He had high expectations of himself and he had to abide by illustrating ultimate strength in mind and body. Conversly, Okonkwo was disappointed by the weak attributes displayed in his oldest son's personality. He was worried that Nwoye would become a disgrace to him and continuously found fault in his efforts and thus threatened him in a harsh manner when he saw signs of laziness. He desired for Nwoye to become a great farmer and a great man and consequently became angered by his actions. Okonkwo also demonstrated little fondness to Ezinma but it did show on rare occasions. He resented that she was a girl, although she looked very much like her mother, who was once the village beauty, because he believed that Ezinma encapsulated what a boy needs to become a great man in the village. Okonkwo still spoke harshly to her but inwardly knew that she was of critical importance to his mind's wellbeing.
Okonkwo
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Things Fall Apart Chapters 1-5
q What attributes are valued in the males of Umuofia?
Specified attributes are highly valued in the males of Umuofia by its people. The most dominant characteristics valued are physical strength, bravery in warfare, and to a certain degree, brutality. This is most evidently exemplified through Okwonko’s persona and how he came to be a man of influence and importance in Umuofia. His character suggests that hard work and the capability to be dominant are also highly valued, as it leads to achievement which is awarded through multiple titles and defined through the number of wives. Lastly, the emphasis on the gaining of power and reputation through growing successful yam, indicate that wealth is also strongly valued in the males of Umuofia.
q How important are proverbs in this culture? What saying tells us this?
Proverbs seem to be of rudimentary importance in Umuofia. As with most cultures which utilize mainly oral communication, history had been accumulated through stories and proverbs in Umuofia. Therefore, the proverbs are used to educate the children with customs and the values on which the community had been founded and dependent on till the present day. It also plays a critical role in maintaining civilization in the culture and in being a reference to ancestors and traditions.
q Explain how marriage and family life function.
Marriage and family life seems to revolve around the man of the house which automatically is a role fulfilled by the husband. The unlimited number of wives a man can possess, or, in other words, buy and the women’s ultimate duties of serving the husband decisively depict the hierarchy in the family. The husband has a hut to himself, where he is served all his meals by his daughters. However, every member of the family seems to be allocated a job which they individually pull their weight in and support the life function of the family.
q What is the attitude to women in general and in regard to religious beliefs?
As discussed above, women are the inferior gender in this culture. They can be lawfully subjected to beatings by their husband and are ‘bought’ in to marriages where they become dependents of the husband. Nevertheless, in regard to religious beliefs they become a whole separate being. As for example, the priestess who is an ordinary woman throughout the day, loses the expectations and roles of the female gender when she is doing the work of the God she serves. She becomes a mere body that is used as mechanism to communicate the God’s messages to the people.
q How does sharecropping work?
Sharecropping was the system of borrowing yams from others, then returning two thirds of the harvest to the original owner of the yams.
q Has Ibo culture been presented positively, negatively or have we seen both?
So far, an overview has been given in the narrative of the Ibo culture. It plainly presents both positive and negative aspects of the primitive society which increases the realistic aspect of the characters and their lifestyle. As of all cultures, the narrative constructs Ibo culture with its complexities and only delves into its most extreme events. Therefore, the Ibo culture is represented neither positively nor negatively.
Specified attributes are highly valued in the males of Umuofia by its people. The most dominant characteristics valued are physical strength, bravery in warfare, and to a certain degree, brutality. This is most evidently exemplified through Okwonko’s persona and how he came to be a man of influence and importance in Umuofia. His character suggests that hard work and the capability to be dominant are also highly valued, as it leads to achievement which is awarded through multiple titles and defined through the number of wives. Lastly, the emphasis on the gaining of power and reputation through growing successful yam, indicate that wealth is also strongly valued in the males of Umuofia.
q How important are proverbs in this culture? What saying tells us this?
Proverbs seem to be of rudimentary importance in Umuofia. As with most cultures which utilize mainly oral communication, history had been accumulated through stories and proverbs in Umuofia. Therefore, the proverbs are used to educate the children with customs and the values on which the community had been founded and dependent on till the present day. It also plays a critical role in maintaining civilization in the culture and in being a reference to ancestors and traditions.
q Explain how marriage and family life function.
Marriage and family life seems to revolve around the man of the house which automatically is a role fulfilled by the husband. The unlimited number of wives a man can possess, or, in other words, buy and the women’s ultimate duties of serving the husband decisively depict the hierarchy in the family. The husband has a hut to himself, where he is served all his meals by his daughters. However, every member of the family seems to be allocated a job which they individually pull their weight in and support the life function of the family.
q What is the attitude to women in general and in regard to religious beliefs?
As discussed above, women are the inferior gender in this culture. They can be lawfully subjected to beatings by their husband and are ‘bought’ in to marriages where they become dependents of the husband. Nevertheless, in regard to religious beliefs they become a whole separate being. As for example, the priestess who is an ordinary woman throughout the day, loses the expectations and roles of the female gender when she is doing the work of the God she serves. She becomes a mere body that is used as mechanism to communicate the God’s messages to the people.
q How does sharecropping work?
Sharecropping was the system of borrowing yams from others, then returning two thirds of the harvest to the original owner of the yams.
q Has Ibo culture been presented positively, negatively or have we seen both?
So far, an overview has been given in the narrative of the Ibo culture. It plainly presents both positive and negative aspects of the primitive society which increases the realistic aspect of the characters and their lifestyle. As of all cultures, the narrative constructs Ibo culture with its complexities and only delves into its most extreme events. Therefore, the Ibo culture is represented neither positively nor negatively.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
