Blog Post 2

            As the story progresses, more customs and tradition followed by villagers in Umuofia are revealed. The society of the Ibo relies heavily on these irrational ideas that are proclaimed by the Oracle of Agbala. Another absurd practice is the inequality of women. The strong belief in superstition and the ill treatment of woman develops into a main motif in the novel.

            The people of Umuofia apply religion to their government and counseling. Nobody questions the leadership of Oracle. As Ikemefuna was sent to be killed, Okonkwo did not “question the authority and decision of the Oracle” (pg. 66). Sacrificing for any causes in most civilized nations is deemed immoral and illegal. Other strange traditions include sacred weeks, mandatory festivals, and questioning, “Is that me?” in fear of a ghost (pg. 41).

            Women are treated as objects in the story. In the beginning of the novel, there is an inequality between them and men, such as men having multiple wives. Later in the book, it is revealed that women are regarded as different. They are sold for marriage at the age of sixteen, which shames them as objects or prostitutes. The word woman is used to insult other men. Examples include the time Okonkwo insults himself by calling himself a “shivering old woman” or calls his own son a woman to degreed his masculinity (pg. 65). Masculinity and violence is stressed as important by Okonkwo while women are degraded. Violence against woman is also considered casual. Okonkwo almost kills his second wife without receiving any punishment or discipline.  This is not normal in most modern society.

            These superstitions and inequality are strong factors for the village’s drawbacks. The people of Umuofia can’t advance in society if these bizarre traditions continue.

Fear, Peer Pressure, and Change

In chapters 7-11 of Things Fall Apart, the full extent of Okonkwo’s chauvinism is expressed. However, this part of the novel also begins to depict Okonkwo’s true feelings about his family. Although he shuns love and emotions as signs of weakness for effeminate men, Okonkwo struggled to cope with the death of Ikemefuna. However, his need to be seen as strong in the eyes of the village members drives him to ignore his paternal instincts and kill his surrogate son. Again, much like in the first six chapters, Okonkwo is pushed by the fear of becoming his father.

As Nwoye matures, Okonkwo also expresses fears about his son becoming weak. “I have done my best to make Nwoye grow into a man, but there is too much of his mother in him” (66). His father’s constant disapproval and lack of affection leads Nwoye to make stronger efforts to appease Okonkwo. He hides his love for his mother and sisters and pretends to be disdained with women and children. In a way, Nwoye’s feigning about chauvinism is similar to Okonkwo’s feigning about strength. They are both efforts to appease others and themselves by trying to fit into what they believe society wants from them.

These few chapters also begin to show a divide between traditional values and more moderate values in Umuofia. Although Okonkwo does not always strictly adhere to traditional customs or values, he does possesses a traditional mindset. He holds the priestess in high esteem, sees women as inferior to men, and follows the Oracle no matter the task at hand. Many of his fellow friends and villagers have a more relaxed view of society which often shocks and disgusts Okonkwo. Obierika’s report of Ndule and Ozoemena’s relationship elicited this response from Okonkwo, “I thought he was a strong man in his youth” (68). Okonkwo resists change in his narrow view of his society.

Okonkwo's resistance to change mirrors the resistance to change during the 1960's.

Okonkwos biggest fear is being weak. Ikemefuna is introduced in this part of the story. He is the reason Okonkwos fear becomes true. Because ikemefuna is so alike Okonkwo he develops a liking for him but doesn't show affection because he believes it weakens him. Okonkwos biggest problem is that he has a cold heart and very cold on the outside. He puts his family in jeopardy so his reputation doesn't suffer because he is so obsessed with himself. Nwoye also is introduced in the part of the book. He represent Okonkwo wants him to be while showering flashes of what his father would like him to be. For example he doesn't find much interest by helping on the farm but also when ikemefuna  is around he emerges the person that his father wants him to be. The theme of this part of he story is African Tribes may seem very alien to our society but it is the lifestyle they lived for many years and no one dared to change it.

Chapters 6-10 Post (Post #2)

     One of the main conflicts in these chapters is the killing of Ikemefuna. Okonkwo wishes that his son Nwoye would be more manly; the idea of his son growing up to not be a successful and revered man eats him alive. When Ikemefuna comes along and sparks a fire in Nwoye, Okonkwo takes a secret liking to him because he is guiding Nwoye to manhood. About 3 years after he arrives, Ikemefuna is ordered to be killed. Okonkwo understands that 'it takes a village to raise a child', and that Ikemefuna is becoming a very important member of his son's village, yet he lets his fear of being perceived as weak get in his way of common judgement. Will Okonkwo ever lose his ego and bring some peace to his family?

     This again brings us to the cultural aspect of African tribe-life. For them, there was no college or social media or life outside of the village. All they had was their job and reputation, so many men probably acted like Okonkwo, letting their pride get in the way of raising their children. Having an unsuccessful son is just as bad as being unsuccessful themselves. Another issue raised in this story is masculinity. Is Nwoye any less of a man because he finds comfort in his mother's hut and stories?Okonkwo wishes he would learn from him and begin to take responsibility around the farm and act like a man. Although the actions of Nwoye would be acceptable in the modern world, they are viewed as futile in context of Things Fall Apart. 

Things Fall Apart Post #2

Okonkwo is a very interesting character. Fear is constantly flowing through his veins as in his dna. His father was a weak man often being called “agbala” or woman. Okonkwo was born with weakness in him, this has made him stronger than his father. “...his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness.”(pg 13) this shows that the fear was deeper than just the embarrassment. Okonkwo wanted to never be at the same level or lower than his father. It was an internal fear and still haunts him no matter how tough everyone perceives him.

Another interesting part of this novel is the importance of beliefs and superstitions. Unoka always makes sacrifices to “Ani, the owner of all land.”(pg 17) before starting his crops. Also makes a sacrifice to the shrine of Ifejioku, and the god of yams. He has to make sure he pleases them to ensure a good harvest. Another belief was the oracle,“...people came from far and near to consult it.”(pg 16). People would come for reconciliation for misfortune or to discover their future. I guess this is somewhat relatable to how we go to physics or our belief in our own god. Also, the time when Okonkwo took the eight hundred seed-yams from Nwakibie, they believed that “the world had gone mad.”(pg 23). Everything was believed to be miss timed, too early or too late, and  the sun had beamed hotter than ever while the first rain came late.

post #2

In this part of the story so far Okonkwo is beginning to see his son turn more masculine. This could not make Okonkwo happier as it reconnects to his fear that he or his children would turn out like his father. Him seeing his son start on the right path as most likely helped to lighten that fear of off Okonkwo's shoulders. Another one of Okonkwo's fears is looking weak. Later in the same chapter he is informed by other clan leaders that Ikemefuna will be sacrificed, that is Okonkwo's adopted son and part of the reason his actual son is acting the way he is. But in order to avoid looking weak and his fear coming true he cuts down the boy killing him.

 Later after he killed the boy he feels depressed and weak. His daughter is left to take care of him while he is in this state, and he keeps wishing that she where a boy because she has the right attitude. This goes back to where the men in the village belittle women and give them no power at all even if they are right for the part. So far Okonkwo's fears and the fact that women are given no oppurtunites keeps circling around throughout the book.

Post 2- Umuofia as a Character

In Things Fall Apart, the setting is crucial to the plot of the story. It is important to understand that Umuofia is nothing like Sicklerville or Philly; Umuofia is a group of multiple tribal villages (there are no McDonalds or Starbucks anywhere in sight). 

Umuofia is almost like a character in itself. The personification of the "town" almost brings it to life so the reader can understand its traits and quirks, such as how it "was feared by all its neighbors (pg 11)" or how it "was powerful in war and in magic (pg 11)." Although Umuofia is described as being able to strike fear into the hearts of any other surrounding town, it is also described as a strictly fair place that "never went to war unless it's case was clear (pg 12)," or they were 100% sure about that their motives to fight were pure.

Different features make up Umuofia as well- such as the children, the elders, the rich. and the poor. The elders advice is usually the law of the land, and the wealthy are looked upon like royalty. 

In the movie Monster House, a haunted house literally comes to life and wreaks havoc. This picture is almost how I imagine Umuofia- it is a person in itself. It is feared and powerful, but still cherished and loved by all who know it. 

Picture- https://www.google.com/search?q=monster+house&client=safari&hl=en-us&tbm=isch&prmd=visn&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBuc-kgaDJAhUGHT4KHd_kDdsQ_AUIBigC#hl=en-us&tbm=isch&q=monster+house&imgrc=HjWi9d35NRhVIM%3A

Things Fall Apart Post #2

Things Fall Apart continues to further Okonkwo's character even more. As the story goes on, everything for Oknonkwo seems to go downhill. Okonkwo' character development is beginning to pick up even more. Author, Achebe, exploits the flaws in Okonkwo's character. For instance, Okonkwo beat one of his wives badly during a sacred week. " In his anger he had forgotten that it was the week of peace." (pg.29) Okonkwo is then summoned before a priestess. "You have committed a great evil."(pg.30) The natives of his tribe believe in chi. The significance of Chi in this story is that fact that it allows personal flaws to be more forgivable because such blame is on the Chi itself. By Okonkwo's actions, Achebe indicates a large gender inequality in this tribe. Okonkwo calls lesser men "women" as a derogatory term. This shows that woman represent failure or perhaps a certain weakness also. The irony of this gender role is the fact that Okonkwo respects the Goddesses and the priestesses which happen to be women. Another character that begins to develop more is Ikemefuna. Early on, not much was known about him. Ikemefuna begins to form a close relationship with Okoknwo's family especially Nwoye. This indicates a positivity in Ikemefuna. The fact that Ikemefuna was taken away from his family and is still able to "feel like a member of Okonkwo's family" (pg.34) displays a character trait not many people have. Achebe tells of Okonkwo taking a liking into Ikemefuna, but being the man he is, Okonkwo could never show it.

Blog post #2

The theme of fear in Things Fall Apart becomes prominent through subtle actions as well as main events. Each scene that involves Okonkwos' home life seems to have an omniscient feel, almost as if

the reader is supposed to be on edge like his family is. Okonkwo's "suppressed anger" is present in nearly every main scene of the book; he even needed to "[find] an outlet" as meaningless as a dead banana tree to justify his anger. (Pg.38) While at a kindred meeting, a man named Osugo contradicted him. Almost like a child, Okonkwo called him a girl because he didn't posses any tittles. His overreaction to situations and unpredictable nature leads to the overall fearful tone of the story, and keeps the reader on his/ her toes. 

Less significant examples of fear are shown discretely throughout the story. The character of Ikemefuna is out of his element since he was taken away from his family and his native land. He was "very much afraid" of the new life he was beginning, so he tried to run away, but ended up "weep[ing] bitterly". Being depressed, he refused to eat-- even when he is forced by the always-angry Okonkwo (of course, that made him even more afraid). Ikemefuna's reluctance towards his new, forced life enhances the theme of fear.(pg. 27) Another example is when one of Okonkwo's daughters, Ekwefi, was plucking hens, and heard a voice call her name. Instead of saying "yes?" or "what is it?" she answers "Is that me?" in fear that it might be an "evil spirit calling" (pg.41) This little girl is already so full of fear that even an everyday conversation is riddled with precautions.   

Hopefully, as the story progresses, Okonkwo will learn to be accepting of his true self and the people around him--fear and all. 

http://www.metrolyrics.com/if-i-only-had-a-nerve-lyrics-wizard-of-oz.html

The cowardly lion from The Wizard Of Oz resembles Okonkwo because on the outside he looks intimidating, and has a reputation as the king of the forest, but on the inside he is afraid of many things.

Jason Butler 11/20

Okonkwo's actions can be very hard to understand. He is a man whose fear of weakness dominates his life. Okonkwo's wives and children experience this first-hand. Okonkwo's strange actions define him as a person.

Okonkwo is quick to call Osugoa woman for contradicting him. When everyone takes sides with Osugo, he apologizes to the man with no titles. Okonkwo is so concerned about looking weak to the other men present that he tries to insult a man in the worst manner. Many people do not understand Okonkwo's "brusqueness in dealing with less successful men." (Pg 26). 

Another example of Okonkwo's fear of weakness is when he breaks the peace during the Week of Peace. After his youngest wife lies and misses a meal, he beats "her very heavily" (Pg 29) forgetting it is the Week of Peace. Okonkwo cannot appear to be weak by letting Ojiugo, his youngest wife, do these things without being reprimanded. 

Arguably Okonkwo's greatest display of his fear of weakness came when he was informed that the tribe had decided to kill Ikemefuna. The tribe suggested that Okonkwo stay home because everyone knew that he had became emotionally attached to Ikemefuna. Okonkwo believed that showing emotions is a sign of weakness so he decides to walk with the tribe to kill his “son”. After a member of the tribe struck Ikemefuna with his machete and Ikemefuna calls for Okonkwo, “Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.” (Pg 61). Okonkwo’s fear of being weak causes his eldest son Nwoye, his eldest son, to alienate himself from the Ibo tribe.  

Erin Howard 11/20 Post #2

     The clash of cultures present throughout Things Fall Apart is undoubtedly one of the most universal themes seen in literature. Similar to clashes between two groups of people today, the European missionaries and the native Umuofians struggle to coexist peacefully. Their lack of synchronization leads to future controversy.

    The Europeans bring Christianity with them as they arrive in Umuofia, though, they never force this religion upon the Igbo society; joining the new church is optional to the tribe. Over time, the missionaries become intrusive to the native Umuofian beliefs and culture which progressively results in the domination of the society. Achebe adequately expresses the effects the missionaries have on the African culture through the imagery of the tribal drums. The trademark drums are heard numerous times throughout the novel - until the Europeans arrive - after which they are heard no more. These drums symbolize tribal unity. "Their sound was no longer a separate thing from the living village....it throbbed in the air...and filled the village with excitement." (44) The sound of the drums expresses the proper functioning of Umuofian society and seem to have the village people under a spell. "Old men nodded to the beat of the drums and remembered...it's intoxicating rhythm." (47) However, the constant imagery repetition of the drums before the European missionaries arrive stands in stark contrast to the lack of drums throughout the latter half of the novel. This contrast in sound foreshadows a downfall in the Igbo tribe as it implies unfavorable circumstances in the future.

Clash of Clans is a perfect representation of the clashes the Igbo tribe and missionaries experience