In chapter 12 we again see Okonkwo's behavior show up again as he has another mishap. He feels as if he need to live up to his status of the strongest and fearless man ever. He can not be like his father. A bad father. A lazy waste. A failure. So his incident with Chielo happened. Now a little after that in the beginning of chapter 12 he shows his weakness side which is love and affection which Okonkwo's believes is every mans weakness. Well this notorious action that Okonkwo despise appears during this part of the story. Where enzima introduces himself and Okonkwo shows great interest for him. Chielo also helps contribute to this by making Okonkwo realize how much he needs to care for his own family. His wife. His children. They deserve it for putting up with his cruel behavior all their lives. This also may link to Okonkwo's rage and behavior. He kills his son!  That is outrageous. Just because he assumed that is the source of his weakness. Basing a killing of a theory is insane but Okonkwo is a man with his own rules and is not afraid of any consequences as long he doesn't end up like his fail of a father.

Egwugwu- Post 3 (Chapter 9)

One crucial aspect of Umuofia is the culture. It is what makes the people who they are and shapes their lives into how they live it. 

An insight to this would be when the egwugwu is discussed. These god-like figures or judges of character are acknowledged as mighty and larger than life, while in reality they are simply some Umuofia leaders dressed up in masks and tribal garb.

But the people of Umuofia choose to believe that their literal leaders can take place of higher beings who will judge them on their judgement days. They bring their personal matters to the egwugwu in order to be settled and make peace with. 

Peace with some is war with others. Other members of the tribe disagree. They believe that monumental matters managed by masks should not be the law of the land. Anyone can go out and get a costume but does that make them reliable to almost hold your life in their hands? 

While people today might find that absurd, it was an important part of the culture to Umuofia that was widely accepted. Although we would not go to Chuck E. Cheese and stand infront of the creepy mouse and ask for life advice and ask it to pick our career path, members of the tribes would go visit the egwugwu to discuss their most personal family matters.

The reader must understand the culture in order to understand the book. While it might be hard to wrap their heads around, this is what was worshipped and believed in mostly their whole people. 

(You decide)

(egwugwu: https://www.google.com/search?q=egwugwu&client=safari&hl=en-us&tbm=isch&prmd=ivsn&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjzz4fNpLLJAhWGSSYKHf2BC8EQ_AUIBSgB#imgrc=ItjqGBo8qth5JM%3A)

(Chuck E Cheese: https://www.google.com/search?q=chuck+e+cheese&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=mvin&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiIsZm8pLLJAhVIJiYKHRi_C8IQ_AUICSgD#imgrc=C5ernoWgbD9IlM%3A)

Blog Post 3

            Throughout chapters nine to thirteen, Achebe exposes Okonkwo’s compassion. Okonkwo’s true feelings add more to his traits rather than identifying him as a savage beast. Achebe also illustrates ceremonies, meetings, and beliefs in Umuofia. These events contain several themes, symbols, and motifs.

            As it turns out, Okonkwo is not a complete, cold-hearted brute. Okonkwo, like most human beings, has an affectionate side to his character even though he doesn’t publicly show it. After Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, he could not sleep for three nights. Okonkwo covertly cares for his children and wife as well. Instead of beating Ekwefi for disturbing his slumber, he goes to help Ezinma from her illness. Another instance is when Okonkwo searches for Ekwefi and Ezinma in the middle of the night. He pretends that his search is a “manly interval,” but in reality, Okonkwo was “gravely worried” for his wife and child (pg. 112). Achebe includes this in the novel to show that Okonkwo is capable of feeling guilt and turmoil. This makes his character seem more realistic and relatable to the reader.

            In chapter ten, there is a town meeting over a dispute on Uzowulu’s wife. The counsels of the dispute are the egwugwu. The egwugwu are “spirits” that represent each of the nine villages. Although Achebe hints that they are not actually spirits of ancestors, the egwugwu still symbolize the Ibo’s traditions and beliefs in evil spirits. This explains why a medicine man uses witch crafting instead of real medicine. For example, Okagbue mutilated the body of a dead child as a method to get rid of the spirit that is tormenting Ekwefi. Sacrificing is another action and motif that expresses the villager’s belief in spirits. The villagers sacrifice kola nuts, yams, goats, and other foods for their ancestors and goddess. This is similar to the sacrifices that Odysseus makes to the gods in The Odyssey.

            The theme of sin and fear is shown after Okonkwo accidentally kills a man at Ezeudu’s funeral. Every sin or crime has a punishment decreed by the goddess. Similar to the time he breaks the week of peace, Okonkwo is also punished for killing a clan member. Although it is an accident, or a female offense, Okonkwo and his family are exiled for seven years, and the people of Umuofia have to demolish his property. This is due to the fear of going “against the great goddess” (pg. 125). They feared the wrath of the goddess just as the Phaeacians feared the wrath of Poseidon. Ekwefi also expresses fear in defying the goddess when she stalked the oracle to her temple.

            The purpose for Achebe to include these celebrations and gatherings is for him to respond to the European Colonization in Africa. He wants to build complexity and unique appearances in these villages to show that African tribal members are humans and not animals. The structure of their society might not be considered acceptable by most people, but they should have the right to follow these customs without interference.

post # 3

In chapter 13 when Okonkwo accidentally kills Ezeudu's son he and his family get exiled. The punishment for his crime is 7 years, also they burn his buildings and kill his live stock. This all relates back to Okonkwo's fear that he would turn out like his father. And after this chapter it could turn out that he will end up like him. Not only is his name now labeled with shame for his crime but he also has no possessions after he can return back to the village. So not only does he have shame associated with his name but he also has nothing just like his father.

In this chapter you can also see how strict the village is about their rules. Even if its an accident like Okonkwo they still apply the same punishment. Oberieka also is affected as he has to "throw away" his wife's twins and he didnt even know what crime they committed. Overall you can see how these guidelines and rules are so important for their village leaders. This link helps to explain some of their cultures and ways of life in more depth: http://www.thehistoryofafrica.com/various_culture_in_africa.html

Blog Post #3

          Achebe once again displays character traits of Okonkwo that attribute to the negative things happening in his life. Okonkwo's will to not look weak continuously ruins his position in life. After taking part of Ikemefuna's death, Okonkwo "drank palm wine from morning till night"(pg.63). Soon after, Okonkwo spoke with his friend, Obierika. Within their conversation, Achebe displayed an interesting fact about the tribe and villagers. While speaking with Obierika, they discuss traditions of neighboring tribes. In doing so, they reveal specs of their own traditions and beliefs. For instance, Machi finds the traditions absurd and says " You might as well say that the woman lies on top of the man when they are making the children." (pg. 74). This, alone, says a great deal about this tribe and its beliefs. From prior knowledge, one can assume that the men in these tribes are viewed as dominant and superior to women. By having a woman lay on top of a man during a sexual act, this puts the woman in a position of power. Achebe also shows the deep rooted beliefs in the tribe. As soon as the priestess, Chielo,calls for Ezinma to meet the oracle in the hills, Okonkwo obeys and does so. This meant carrying Ezinma to a cave at night and leaving her there. this deep faith of the Gods/ higher power is intriguing. To anyone else, an act so bizarre would be out of question but not for Okonkwo and his family. This picture relates to Things Fall Apart because it illustrates people worshipping Gods such as Okonkwo and his Klan.

Chapter 11-16 (Post #3)

In these chapters, Achebe really delves into the cultural aspect of African tribes in the late 1800's. It seems as if the people of the tribe are taking the words of the "prophets" and "Gods" too seriously. Ikemefuna was sacrificed just because a prophecy said so, Ezinma was taken far from her home to a cave in the middle of the night to see a God, and daughters are being sold to men they don't want to marry.

The chaos all of this is causing reminds me of the Salem witch trials, which is shown in the image above. Just like anybody and anything will be sacrificed if a prophet says so in Things Fall Apart, anybody who was accused of being a witch amidst the chaos in Salem was thrown in jail and executed. I predict this is foreshadowing a conflict where people want to leave the religion/tribe later in the novel.
As for Okonkwo's behavior, little has changed. He is still so caught up in his reputation and masculinity that he puts everyone around him in danger. When his gun explodes and he accidentally kills a young boy of 16 and his family is sent to his motherland, he becomes very depressed. There is more foreshadowing going on here, from the context of the novel, it seems that Okonkwo is going through some serious internal conflicts, and is beginning to struggle to move on. He had to start a new far and his family is beginning to fall apart. He has this revelation when Uchendu comes to his house and insults him, saying things like "you are a child" (pages 134-135) and "I have no more to say to you." (page 135).

Erin Howard 11/27 Blog Post #3

    Achebe uses strong literary devices throughout Things Fall Apart to justify the characteristics of his main characters. Powerful and strong-minded Okonkwo, for example, requires numerous devices to condone the actions he puts forward.

    An apparent theme present in the novel, which multiple students have blogged about already, is that of masculinity against femininity. What makes a man masculine and how can he avoid becoming ‘feminine’?

    As his fame and popularity increased, Okonkwo pursued his ideal of masculinity. Okonkwo constantly distanced himself from anything even remotely feminine. He reminded himself of his masculinity and strove to make sure all his clansmen knew of it as well. “Okonkwo was popularly called ‘The Roaring Flame.’ As he looked into the log fire he recalled the name. He was a flaming fire” (153). The metaphor of fire is perfect to describe Okonkwo’s character, and yields a deep analysis of human feelings and personality. Like a fire, Okonkwo is violent, and burns whatever he touches. In many cases, he “burns” his own family. Throughout the novel, Okonkwo nags on his wives and son, beats his family, and kills three innocent people – not to mention himself, as well. When the Europeans finally succeed in taking control of the government, then Okonkwo – like a fire without any fuel – dies, and this is how an example of Achebe’s fire metaphor is seen throughout the novel.

    This fire metaphor enables readers to identify with Okonkwo in a relatable way as many others are identified with fiery antics. 

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/deal-hot-tempered-person-34210.html

      Positioning yourself as an ally of one with a short temper can really be useful!!

Blog Post #3 Macy Levicoff

What should a man do when his life beings to crumble? There are ultimately two paths he can go down. This man can fight through tough times and survive, or become so overwhelmed that he commits suicide.

Okonkwo's life is sprinting down the mountain it was once on. He took pride in the empire he built for himself, but the higher the mountain, the harder the fall. His already unstable life began its tumble downward when Ikemefuna was killed. Something had "given way"(pg.62) inside Okonkwo; he didn't sleep or "taste any food for two days"(pg.63). When he starts to feel like his old self again, life thrusts itself faster down the mountain. Ezinma, one of his daughters, becomes gravely ill. In chapters nine to eleven the main focus is Ezinma and her mother, Ekwefi. Okonkwo shows worry towards Ezinma's sickness. When she is taken by the priestess to the caves in the mountains, her mother and Okonkwo follow behind to make sure she is not in danger. Does this reveal that Okonkwo is trying to salvage parts of his life? By going after his daughter to make sure she is safe, he shows emotion and care, which are deadly poisons to Okonkwo. The wearing away of his outer shell gives a sense of vulnerability.

In chapter twelve the news about Ezinma is quickly forgotten when Okonkwo's friend celebrates his daughter's uri. At the end of the party, "guns fired the last salute" and Okonkwo's gun explodes. This causes a piece of iron to "pierce" a sixteen-year-old boy in the heart. Since this murder was "female", or"inadvertent" it is known that Okonkwo and his family must flee the land for seven years. After they sneak away, the tribe destroys his home, his animals, and his pride.(pg.124)

This fast descend down Okonkwo's man-made mountain is sure to bring out his true inner strength. Will he prove to be internally strong as well as physically, or will he give up when things fall apart?

  (Me=Okonkwo)

"Bear no hand in his death."

Chapters 12-18 of Things Fall Apart are rife with foreshadowing and internal conflicts. At first, Achebe fools the reader into a feeling of safety by describing many celebrations. On the surface, life in Umuofia seemed content until the first foreshadowing and internal conflict moment was revealed in the novel. "A cold shiver went down Okonkwo's back..."That boy calls you father," [Ezeudu] had said. " Bear no hand in his death." (121). The "cold shiver" that ran down Okonkwo's back and Ezeudu's ominous unheeded words foreshadowed the upcoming events that would upend the life that Okonkwo had built.

Ironically, the beginning of major changes, and arguably the climax of the story so far, can be traced back to Ezuedu's ominous words to "Bear no hand in his death" (121), and Okonkwo's decision to disregard this advice to maintain his reputation. When Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, he made a conscious decision to commit a violent act against his "son". When Okonkwo killed Ezuedu's son, a boy roughly the same age as Ikemefuna, he made an inadvertent mistake. His first act of violence, a conscious one, resulted in praise. His second act of violence, a mistake, resulted in exile. This double standard in tradition that existed throughout the novel for women and men deemed unworthy, finally doomed Okonkwo too.

Another moment of foreshadowing in the story occurred when Obierika visited Okonkwo in Mbanta. "...I am greatly afraid. We have heard stories about white men who made the powerful guns...and took slaves away across the seas..." (141). In this part of the novel, the conflicts are mostly internal but this foreshadowing suggests that they may turn violent, and may even lead to war.

The escalating conflict between the missionaries and the tribesmen also reinforces the novel's central focus on fear. Historically, fear between two different groups of people has lead to unending bloodshed and irreparable damage. It can be predicted that Umuofia teeters on the edge of the same physical tragedies.