Sunday, February 1, 2015
Things Fall Apart—Part One
After reading part one of Things Fall Apart by Achebe, I find it very strange that, even though he has lost many children and family to disease, Okonkwo does not seem to value his children and wives that have survived. In the beginning, Okonkwo beats and tries to shoot one of his wives, which shows that he clearly has no concern for her health and existence. By beating his oldest son, Nwoye, Okonkwo causes him of feel inferior and weak which are the exact characteristics of his son that Okonkwo wishes to change. When women and children are healthy (not bruised and beaten), they are stronger and can be more helpful and productive in harvest and domestic duties. So, by beating and weakening his family, Okonkwo actually weakens his household unit and therefore his own success.
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I agree with Grace that it is strange that Okonkwo treats his children and wives so carelessly even though they have had several children die. One of Okonkwo's wives has given birth to nine children, but only one has survived passed the toddler stage. Given all of this death surrounding Okonkwo's family, it would be assumed that he would nurture his children, and be extremely careful not to harm them, but instead he does the opposite. He constantly beats his children and wives, treating the without care. Though this could be considered tough love, as he wants his children to be able to handle everything, it is proven that it is just pure heartlessness when he participates in the slaughter of his adopted son, Ikemefuma.
ReplyDeleteit is interesting how Okonwo seems to fail to value his family. it seems that he values perception over practicality. the reason he never shows affection is his obsession with his own masculinity. okonkwo feels that to avoid becoming like his father, a failure he can never show weakness. for him, children equal feminity, and feminity equals weakness. if only he could look beyond this narrow-minded perception, and see the value in his family.
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