Things Fall Apart Power Essay

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Recommended: Role and place of women in things that fall apart

Things Fall Apart, The God of Small Things and The Hungry Tide all share the theme of power. Power is when you have the ability to navigate or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.

First, the novel Things Fall Apart has multiple struggles throughout the book of power control. The book focuses on one of the tribe members, Okonkwo. He is a well-respected member of the tribe. He is known as a great wrestler and warrior who is very powerful and an influential member. Okonkwo's father was Unoka and he died when Okonkwo was very young. He was not successful and the shame he has for his dad is what drives Okonkwo to be such a hard worker in life. His dad died in debt and embarrassment and the remembrance makes Okonkwo …show more content…

Many scenarios in Okonkwo life had a high female presence. Okonkwo looks down upon everyone who has a visible weakness because, in his opinion, weaknesses are woman-like. The story of Okonkwo’s collapse from an appreciated member of the tribe to an outcast who dies in shame vividly shows the battle between values of Christianity and the desire for power. After reading Things Fall Apart, the missionaries represent the ruthlessness of the white man in Africa. The native Africans were expected to agree to the traditions of the white culture or experience the penalties. Gender power is very prominent in this novel and plays a huge role in forming the characters personalities.

Second, throughout The God of Small Things, many key scenarios helped develop the idea of power and rule in India. The sense of power played a huge role in the novel and shaped the characters into who they are. One of the main themes in The God of Small Things is discrimination in the caste system. Roy tells the story of the hardships faced by the Untouchables, the lowest caste in the caste system. Caste and religion play a significant importance in social-cultural practices in India. Matthew harasses Ammu and says "If I were you, I'd go home quietly, then he

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