A Doll's House and Things Fall Apart

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Research Paper
In every walk of life, people come face to face with suffering and difficulties. A person might suffer quietly by themselves, while the other is surrounded by the loving support of family and friends. When faced with challenges, many people seek to prove their strength by concealing their suffering. However, one can only carry so much pain and suffering on their own shoulders. Throughout society, these situations often appear in a person’s own life, and the lives of their family and friends. While this theme is visible in society, it is also evident throughout many works of literature. Within Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, in the midst of difficult situations, gaining strength and support from family, friends, and religion, helps one to defeat challenges in life more efficiently than leaning on their own strength.
Regardless of the distance between a vast majority of families, they come together to comfort one another in difficult times. A great example of this statement is the support Okonkwo, the main character within Things Fall Apart, who is proud and stubborn, received from his family. During his seven year exile, “Okonkwo was well received by his mother’s kinsmen in Mbanta” (Achebe 129). Without help from his family, Okonkwo would have a hard time supporting and caring for his family. Okonkwo comes to realize that “family bonds are a link to our beginning and a guide to our future” during his time with his mother’s family (D. Kathy). When one’s family backs them up, and encourages them to reach for their goals, it increases their likelihood of succeeding and having a brighter future. The relationship a person has with their family determines the strength and confidenc...

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.... Donna Rosenberg. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2004. 142-202. Print.
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Marr, Elijah P., Rev. "Leaning On Christ,” Smart Data Systems, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014
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Nauert, Rick, Dr. "Family Support Helps Kids Manage Stress." Weblog post. Psychcentral.com. Psych Central, 08 Feb. 2010. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

Savannah. "True Story: Savannah." Phoenix House. Phoenix House Foundation, 2 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. .

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