Summary:
In his novel Things Fall Apart, a powerful story of multiple conflicts, Chinua Achebe contrasts topics such as gender issues, social standing, and emotions to make a statement about society.
Did you ever realize how many times Chinua Achebe contrasts a variety of subjects in his novel, Things Fall Apart? His novel contrasts topics including gender issues, social standing, and emotions, to make a statement about society. These powerful points have a strong role in Chinua Achebe's, Things Fall Apart.
There are many gender issues and beliefs among the Igbo people throughout the novel. Okonkwo, the main character, has always wanted his daughter, Ezima, to be a son because of her mental strength. However, Okonkwo doesn't think that a girl or woman should have that trait. Women are bought to become a man's "wife", which shows that they are thought more of as play toys, slaves, or property, rather than companions. Men are the only sex allowed to own land in the villages, which shows the purpose of men to make a profit and support his family.
Social standing is vital among the Igbo tribes. This includes how many wives you have, how much land you own, the amount of money you make, your popularity/friends or connections, your title, and life achievements. Unoka, Okonkwo's father, was lazy, feminine, and had no title. He was "quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow" (Achebe, 4). Nobody respected him and when he "died of the swelling" (Achebe, 18), the village put him in the Evil Forrest.
Okonkwo is the exact opposite of his father and makes sure of it all of the time. "Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand" (Achebe, 12). He is well known throughout the nine villages and possible more on his solid personal achievements. When he was 18 he fought and beat Amalinze the Cat. He has three wives, four kids, lots of land with a yam farm, and he has a title. These attributes are important to his future and the plot of the novel.
Things Fall Apart is filled with lots of emotion from several of the characters. Okonkwo believes that men need to be masculine and stiff. Okonkwo wants to show no signs of weakness such as affection. He drinks his palm wine from the hollowed out heads of the people he has killed, he beats his kids and wives to show them who in charge for punishment. Okonkwo was informed by Ogbuefi Ezeudu, a much respected clan member, that the tribe has decided to kill Ikemefuna and that he shouldn't interfere with the killing. When they hit Ikemefuna in the head with a pot, he cried out to Okonkwo, "My father, they have killed me" (Achebe, 61). Okonkwo then stabbed Ikemefuna with his machete because "He was afraid of being thought weak" (Achebe, 61). Okonkwo also sees femininity as a sign of weakness and reminds him of his father, which is why he dislikes his son Nwoye. For this reason he often beats him because of his issues, and is afraid who is going to rule his household when he dies. Okonkwo's beliefs and morals eventually lead to his ultimate downfall.
The novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a powerful story of multiple conflicts, and the contrasts between different people. The novel includes many different contrasts including gender issues, social standing, and emotions. These statements have made this novel famous, and have changed the way many people look at society.
This is the complete article, containing 545 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
