In the first few chapters of this book, it is clearly seen that status plays an important role in the lives of the people of Umuofia. Status in this tribe is gained through wealth and possessions and pure strength. The difference in status and lifestyle between Okonkwo and Okonkwo’s father represents the importance of status in all societies. Okonkwo is very violent, hard working and wealthy, and therefore, he is seen as important. His father was lazy, not wealthy and had a very mellow spirit, and he was not seen as important. Okonkwo was given a high place in society because he followed the norms of society while his father was given a name that meant “woman.” The importance of status is seen in all cultures and status is often a reward for following the social norms of that society. Even in American society, those who are part of the consumerism economy and become wealthy are rewarded with respect and power in the government. The status of a society controls its people.
As the book continues, we see that the African society Okonkwo lives in is male dominated. The women in the society are just seen as objects and symbols of status. The theme of the unimportance of woman is shown through Okonkwo’s daughter Enzima. Okonkwo loves his daughter and respects her. She shows strong qualities of a leader and a prosperous man. Okonkwo wishes that she had been born a boy because she would have been prosperous. Women in this society were not seen as having the ability to accomplish anything in their life. This is even apparent in some societies today. Even though Enzima had the personality qualities to be a great leader and person she was still seen as unimportant because of her gender. The view of woman in society even today in America is centered on their place in the home, which overshadows the talent and intelligence that they possess to help society.
The importance of tradition in a society is shown in this book through the actions that take place in religious ceremonies and marriage ceremonies. The importance of tradition becomes even more apparent in these chapters. In these chapters, Okonkwo’s family friend plans to marry off one of his children. There are many traditions and rituals that take place during these ceremonies. There are other traditions in this society that controls its people. Traditions like mutilating babies, throwing children into the woods and killing members of the clan are overlooked as the terrible things that they are because they are tradition. In this section, the people begin to analyze their sacred traditions. They begin to wonder if these traditions are of any importance or if their just things to add meaning to the lives of the people of the clan. Nwoye is very upset about the killing of Ikemefuna and wonders if the traditions that killed him are really traditions that he wants to follow. Traditions in our society are often things that we follow blindly. An example that comes to mind is the tradition that women stay in the home and men go out and work. This tradition is not becoming as traditional as it once was because people in society begin to question this tradition. Just as in the story, traditions begin to change only as people begin to question them.
In this section, religion becomes the focus of the story. Okonkwo’s son begins to grow closer and closer to joining the Christian religion. The reason that he is being pushed toward this new religion is the fact that this religion can explain all the things that he thinks are wrong with his society, like the killing of twins, mutilating of babies and the murder of Ikemufena. This became a theme in my mind of religion in general in society. As we talked about in Short Story, religion is often what controls people’s lives. Religion also gives meaning to the lives of most people. Religion often gives the answers and reasons to why things happen and why things are the way they are in the world. Although religion often creates more questions then answers, it does give some explanation for life, like it did for Nwoye. Religion is more than that, of course, but looked at through a sociological view, religion is what fills the holes in our lives. In “Things Fall Apart,” religion, both the native and Christian religion, offers security and meaning to the people.
In these chapters, colonization takes its toll on the village. Colonization was once in back of everyone’s minds and now has come center stage. The colonization and the actions of the white men in this story represent very clearly the ways of colonization all over the uncivilized world. When the white man first comes he is very gentle and just slowly begins his peaceful religion. He even betters life in the clan through trading stores and offering companionship to the outcasts of society. The church stays out of the way. As the people become more comfortable with the new people they begin to bring new government and violence in dealing with those who oppose their new ways. This is a good representation for the effects of colonization all over the world. This colonization represents the effects that colonization has had on individual societies and customs all over the world throughout all of time.
The book has come to an end and so has Okonkwo and the society that he once knew. As the colonization destroys and tears apart the society that he has worked his whole life to prosper in and to belong, he is destroyed as well. Seeing his life’s work destroyed throws Okonkwo into panic and despair and causes him to commit suicide. The most ironic part of the book and society is unveiled in this section. The society that he adored and did everything for abandons him in his death. Since suicide was seen as a sin in their religion they refuse to touch his body or bury him. He did everything for his society and because he broke from its social norms they disown him. This definitely relates to every society, even today. Those who give themselves and completely follow the rules of society will find that it will abandon them if they stray from the norms of that society. No society will be loyal to one of its members if they do not completely follow its rules, no matter how much they contribute to it.
Didn't the passage of background information say that Antigone was a victim of Creon's hubris? Some of you are suggesting that Antigone is the tragic hero. Thoughts on that.
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In the first few chapters of this book, it is clearly seen that status plays an important role in the lives of the people of Umuofia. Status in this tribe is gained through wealth and possessions and pure strength. The difference in status and lifestyle between Okonkwo and Okonkwo’s father represents the importance of status in all societies. Okonkwo is very violent, hard working and wealthy, and therefore, he is seen as important. His father was lazy, not wealthy and had a very mellow spirit, and he was not seen as important. Okonkwo was given a high place in society because he followed the norms of society while his father was given a name that meant “woman.” The importance of status is seen in all cultures and status is often a reward for following the social norms of that society. Even in American society, those who are part of the consumerism economy and become wealthy are rewarded with respect and power in the government. The status of a society controls its people.
Ch. 5-7
As the book continues, we see that the African society Okonkwo lives in is male dominated. The women in the society are just seen as objects and symbols of status. The theme of the unimportance of woman is shown through Okonkwo’s daughter Enzima. Okonkwo loves his daughter and respects her. She shows strong qualities of a leader and a prosperous man. Okonkwo wishes that she had been born a boy because she would have been prosperous. Women in this society were not seen as having the ability to accomplish anything in their life. This is even apparent in some societies today. Even though Enzima had the personality qualities to be a great leader and person she was still seen as unimportant because of her gender. The view of woman in society even today in America is centered on their place in the home, which overshadows the talent and intelligence that they possess to help society.
Ch. 8-10
Just as there are rules and expectations for women in society, there are also rules and expectations for the men in society. Okonkwo is very aware of the expectations society has for him as a man and he does want to be labeled as a woman just as his father was in his society. Okonkwo even kills Ikemefuna, who he saw as a son, because he did not want to be judged by the other men in the village as weak. After he kills him, he feels guilty but tries to suppress these feelings because feelings were seen as only for woman. These expectations for men are also prevalent in American society today. Men are supposed to always be strong and never show emotion. The phrase, “Boys Don’t Cry,” may be a cliché, but it represents the expectations for men in our society. Just as women are expected to remain in their gender roles as mothers, men are expected to always be strong and remain in their gender roles as the provider.
Ch. 11-13
The importance of tradition in a society is shown in this book through the actions that take place in religious ceremonies and marriage ceremonies. The importance of tradition becomes even more apparent in these chapters. In these chapters, Okonkwo’s family friend plans to marry off one of his children. There are many traditions and rituals that take place during these ceremonies. There are other traditions in this society that controls its people. Traditions like mutilating babies, throwing children into the woods and killing members of the clan are overlooked as the terrible things that they are because they are tradition. In this section, the people begin to analyze their sacred traditions. They begin to wonder if these traditions are of any importance or if their just things to add meaning to the lives of the people of the clan. Nwoye is very upset about the killing of Ikemefuna and wonders if the traditions that killed him are really traditions that he wants to follow. Traditions in our society are often things that we follow blindly. An example that comes to mind is the tradition that women stay in the home and men go out and work. This tradition is not becoming as traditional as it once was because people in society begin to question this tradition. Just as in the story, traditions begin to change only as people begin to question them.
In this section, religion becomes the focus of the story. Okonkwo’s son begins to grow closer and closer to joining the Christian religion. The reason that he is being pushed toward this new religion is the fact that this religion can explain all the things that he thinks are wrong with his society, like the killing of twins, mutilating of babies and the murder of Ikemufena. This became a theme in my mind of religion in general in society. As we talked about in Short Story, religion is often what controls people’s lives. Religion also gives meaning to the lives of most people. Religion often gives the answers and reasons to why things happen and why things are the way they are in the world. Although religion often creates more questions then answers, it does give some explanation for life, like it did for Nwoye. Religion is more than that, of course, but looked at through a sociological view, religion is what fills the holes in our lives. In “Things Fall Apart,” religion, both the native and Christian religion, offers security and meaning to the people.
Ch. 19-21
In these chapters, colonization takes its toll on the village. Colonization was once in back of everyone’s minds and now has come center stage. The colonization and the actions of the white men in this story represent very clearly the ways of colonization all over the uncivilized world. When the white man first comes he is very gentle and just slowly begins his peaceful religion. He even betters life in the clan through trading stores and offering companionship to the outcasts of society. The church stays out of the way. As the people become more comfortable with the new people they begin to bring new government and violence in dealing with those who oppose their new ways. This is a good representation for the effects of colonization all over the world. This colonization represents the effects that colonization has had on individual societies and customs all over the world throughout all of time.
Ch. 22-25
The book has come to an end and so has Okonkwo and the society that he once knew. As the colonization destroys and tears apart the society that he has worked his whole life to prosper in and to belong, he is destroyed as well. Seeing his life’s work destroyed throws Okonkwo into panic and despair and causes him to commit suicide. The most ironic part of the book and society is unveiled in this section. The society that he adored and did everything for abandons him in his death. Since suicide was seen as a sin in their religion they refuse to touch his body or bury him. He did everything for his society and because he broke from its social norms they disown him. This definitely relates to every society, even today. Those who give themselves and completely follow the rules of society will find that it will abandon them if they stray from the norms of that society. No society will be loyal to one of its members if they do not completely follow its rules, no matter how much they contribute to it.
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