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Okonkwo. A man who taught us much in the course of his life. He stood up against the white man then soon later took his own life. Another person of interest, Chimamanda Adichie, didn’t care for her native food and tried to broaden others horizons’. We have multiple responsibilities that we hold to our self. That includes taking a stand in what we, as an individual believes, to not be afraid in being different, and to stay strong, happy, and to keep going nonstop. One of the greatest responsibilities we owe ourselves is to stand up for what we believe in and what we think is right. Okonkwo is a huge example when the white men show up. So is Adichie when she refuses to her native food, “swallow”. When the white men prove many faults in their culture and …show more content…
Chimamanda Adichie explained in her Ted talk to not be single minded. Along with the same tree used over and over again in the cover photo for books, as explained by Michael Silverberg. It’s okay to be different. In “The Danger of a Single Story”, Adichie explained how people view a certain subject on how the general public explains it. (The Danger of a Single Story) Like how Africans are just from Africa, no matter if they’re from Nigeria, Congo, etc.. They are also known to be in poverty when that is not the case for the entire continental community. Many are wealthy and can afford extra luxuries in life. Also, Michael's text “Why Every Book About Africa has the Same Cover”, says straight out that Africa is not all about a single tree. (Silverberg, Michael. "Why Every Book about Africa Has the Same Cover.") Some books don’t even correspond with anything to do with the tree at all. It is just commonly known that if the single acacia tree is on the cover, then the book is about Africa. Express who you are and critically think to better understand the story from all viewpoints. Not just the common
Okonkwo, a fierce warrior, remains unchanged in his unrelenting quest to solely sustain the culture of his tribe in the time of religious war in Achebe's book, Things Fall Apart. He endures traumatic experiences of conflict from other tribes, dramatic confrontations from within his own family, and betrayal by his own tribe.
In the novel, Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo is a sympathetic character and unsympathetic character in regards to his family relationships with his adopted son, Ikemefuna, his daughter, Ezima, and his father, Unoka, as a result of he appears to genuinely care about his family; but, the pride within himself prevents his expression of such pride and concern openly.
Despite his love for the culture in which he was born, Okonkwo, an esteemed member and warrior of the Ibo peoples of Africa, has a difficult time complying with the traditions of his tribe. Although he respects the tribe’s customs and the decisions of the elders, Okonkwo often makes rash decisions that bring him and his family unnecessary troubles. He strives to gain the tribe’s respect, as well as to compensate for his father’s “failed” life by portraying himself as the perfect man and warrior; however, his efforts toward honor seem to always end in dishonor. In a way, the reasons for his behavior come from deep within Okonkwo himself, not the culture of which he is a part. Compensation for character flaws turns in overcompensation, which places him out of touch with his community. In short, his sense of, and obsession for, self-image acts as a catalyst for his actions throughout the book.
“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won 't come in.” Isaac Asimov, a Russian-born, American author and professor of biochemistry, penned these words. This quote best describes what should be done after hearing Chimamanda Adichie’s speech “The Danger of a Single Story.” Three elements that attracted attention to her speech were her humor, knowledge, and the fact that the "single story catastrophe" is everywhere.
Okonkwo wanted to become one of the greatest men in the Ibo tribe, but three unfortunate events occur bringing him closer to his end. Okonkwo was a proud, industrious figure who through hard work was able to elevate himself to a stature of respect and prominence in his community. The one major character flaw was that he was a man driven by his fear to extreme reactions. Okonkwo was petrified of inadequacy namely because his father was a complete and utter failure. This fear of shortcoming made him hate everything his father loved and represented: weakness, gentleness, and idleness. Who was Okonkwo, well Okonkwo was a hero and also he...
...remain strong against the tide of change, but he appears to be the only one. When he kills the colonial official in the end, it is one last attempt to 'save' his tribe from the weakness and influence of the white man. No one else backs his attempt however, so Okonkwo, in desperation, chooses the most dishonorable death possible, suicide, rather than allow himself to be handed over to the 'weak' white man. In my opinion, i wouldn't think that Okonkwo would give up the Igbo tradition to be part of the white men religion; that’s why he killed himself because he thought he was the only one following the Igbo “steps” and he knew that nobody is on his side no more. What Okonkwo would handle his situation better if he would probably gave the "new changes" a shot and if he doesn't like it, then probably just run away and make his own community, since he is tough and manly.
By women of color having the ability to resist, the ability to endure, and the ability to persevere despite every bullet the elite white man shot at them personally define how I perceive myself as a black women in the 21st century. I perceive myself as a black woman who is beyond valuable with a dominant voice that knows where she has came from but that also knows that there are no limits on how far she can go. I perceive myself as a black woman that is equipped with vital aspects and tools that can allow this society to expand by being able to reproduce. I am assured by these perspectives because women of color before me have already established such a positive, yet powerful foundation for young, black women like
Okonkwo has murdered, beaten, and cast off those he loved throughout his life. He remained stubborn and violent until his last days, and yet through his internal struggle, and sparse, yet endearing loves Okonkwo is still perceived to be morally indefinite. Okonkwo may not be considered by western culture to be a good person, but viewing his life in its entirety, it is almost impossible for one to attach a completely negative label to him. By telling the story of Okonkwo's life, Chinua Achebe, creates a dynamic and morally ambiguous protagonist while addressing the moral issue of Christian evangelism in Africa.
Overall, Okonkwo is a crucial part to the story Things Fall Apart, for he represents African culture, and helps demonstrate how colonization can change everything. Through this book we see how colonization changed history, and how it is important for groups, tribes, societies to stay together in times of invasion, in order to protect their own customs and traditions; and how crucial a sense of unity would've been for the Umuofian tribe. Okonkwo was the sense of unity of the tribe, doing everything he could could to protect it. His collection of honorable titles, his love for his tribes culture, his drive and passion, and even his booming pride all contribute to his district character, a true hero in my eyes.
Okonkwo is portrayed as a respected individual in many ways. He was a well known person through out the 9 villages and beyond. His successes were based wholly on his personal achievements. For example, he was a warrior and wrestler who gained respect through his athletics. Manliness was a characteristic that was greatly valued by the people of the village. Since Okonkwo was a wrestler and a warrior this showed that he was a fierce fear-free individual. And because he hadn't lost one fight or any battles this was more reason for the people of the village to love him. He was also respected because of his wealth. Okonkwo had three wives and m...
In Chinua Achebe’s book, Things Fall Apart, the main character is Okonkwo. He has three wives and ten children. In his town he is part of the nine masked leaders called the Egwugwu in their government. He is a man of high status and has a big ego. Okonkwo is a tragic hero because he sees his role in his downfall. During the book Okonkwo recognizes his high status, his pride, and his flaws toward his undoing.
Skolnik (2016) defines ethnocentrism as those who study cultures other than their own and view them only through how they see their own society, thus judging much of what they see to be without. Novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, illustrates this concept in her Ted conference saying that Americans view Africa as a sole country that is impoverished and where the people are fighting endlessly against poverty, hunger, and AIDs (TEDTalks, 2009). Another example Adichie gives is from her childhood, where her parents hired a helping man whose family was very poor. Her mother would send left over food with this man so he could take it back to his family. Adichie saw the man and his family as very poor and this was the only view she had. One day, Adichie and her mother went to the man’s home and Adichie was very surprised to find that the family had a beautiful woven basket. It had been impossible for Adichie to see that the poor man’s family could have such nice items. Adichie’s view only allowed her to see the man’s family as poor and nothing else, this hid the true story of the family (TEDTalks, 2009). This judgmental attitude led to a critical misunderstanding of the
His identity comes mainly from his pride in his home and his pride in his children. Okonkwo is already sent to live in his motherland, and this separation from his home already made the character feel displaced and uneasy. Then, his own son Nwoye leaves the family to join the missionaries. This affects Okonkwo a lot more than he lets on. He feels that there must be something wrong with his chi. The author writes, “He saw clearly in it the finger of his personal god or chi. For how else could he explain his great misfortune and exile and now his despicable son’s behavior?” (Achebe 152). This shows how Okonkwo is losing the trust he had in his good chi because of the cultural conflict the missionaries created. Then at the end of the novel, Okonkwo kills a messenger, thinking that it will be the spark that would light the fire of war in his tribe. His home had always been quick to fight battles to protect themselves, but Umuofia does not fight the missionaries. In that moment, when nobody supports Okonkwo in his violent act, he realizes that his tribe really had lost their warrior mindset. His home was no longer familiar to him, and his child had left him for the missionaries. Okonkwo’s sense of identity was shattered because of this cultural shock. His response to the missionaries did not only affect the other characters in the novel,
Okonkwo embodies all the ideal and heroic traits of the Igbo culture. He is strong, authoritative, hardworking, and successful. The opening sentence states that “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond” (3). Okonkwo is great and famous because of his “solid personal achievements” (3). Okonkwo first achieved fame and recognition when he became the village’s wrestling champion. At eighteen years of age, he had “brought honor to his village” by defeating the seven-year champion. By winning the wrestling match, Okonkwo demonstrates to his village his great strength and skill as a warrior. After that his fame spread “like a bush-fire in the harmattan” (3). Okonkwo governs his household with authority. He “ruled his household with a heavy hand” (13). His wives and children lived “in perpetual fear of his fiery temper” (13). Okonkwo is a hard task-master. He works on his farm “from cock-crow until the chickens went to roost” and compelled his family to do the same (13). He does not tolerate laziness in his sons. He punishes his son, Nwoye, with “constant nagging and beating” (14). Okonkwo is the sole and unquestionable authority figure in his household.
Education is another factor which is the main cause of this poverty and many more other problems. Lack of education in Africa is due to lack of schools and education facilities. The school enrollment rate is also very less in Africa, which make people illiterate and thus living their life under the poverty line as they could not able to earn a sophisticated earning for them and their family. 33 million school age children do not go to school and from those the higher amount is of girls. This lack of education also leads to many diseases as they do not attend school and does not get any knowledge and precautions regarding diseases.