Things Fall Apart Essay
Kandace Barzey Wake Forest
Advanced World Literature Things Fall Apart Essay
December 19, 2012 Believe, Achieve, Succeed
What is the definition of a man to you? Chinua Achebe 's Things Fall Apart takes place in a Nigerian village known as Umuofia. The main character, Okonkwo, is part of the Igbo clan in Umuofia. Okonkwo 's success is driven by his desire not to be a failure like his father Unoka; he is so determined not to be like his father to the point where he is willing to kill and is very violent in order to show his masculinity. Okonkwo does not symbolize masculinity because he feels anger is the only emotion he should show, he portrays masculinity with aggression, and he bases his masculinity off of the clan 's titles and what people would think about him.
In this world, there is a stereotype that males should not show emotions or cry for anything or else they are not considered manly. When it comes to Okonkwo and the way he lives, he believes that anger is the only emotion that should be displayed within a man. He shows this mainly throughout the book when it comes to his relationships with his family. One example is when Okonkwo begins to feel proud about Nwoye becoming more manly because of Ikemefuna.
Okonkwo was inwardly pleased at his son 's development and knew it was due to Ikemefuna. He wanted Nwoye to grow into a tough young man capable of ruling his father 's household when he was dead and gone to join his ancestors (p.52).
Okonkwo was happy inside that his son was finally becoming a man, but he did not want to portray that emotion because it would not have been something a man would do. He also does not display his emotions when Ezinma was taken by Chielo.
Okonkwo was also feeling tired, and sleepy, for although nobody else knew it, he had not slept at all last night. He had felt anxious but did not show it (p.112)
That night when Chielo took Ezinma, Okonkwo was very worried but did not want to
Advanced World Literature Things Fall Apart Essay
December 19, 2012 Believe, Achieve, Succeed
What is the definition of a man to you? Chinua Achebe 's Things Fall Apart takes place in a Nigerian village known as Umuofia. The main character, Okonkwo, is part of the Igbo clan in Umuofia. Okonkwo 's success is driven by his desire not to be a failure like his father Unoka; he is so determined not to be like his father to the point where he is willing to kill and is very violent in order to show his masculinity. Okonkwo does not symbolize masculinity because he feels anger is the only emotion he should show, he portrays masculinity with aggression, and he bases his masculinity off of the clan 's titles and what people would think about him.
In this world, there is a stereotype that males should not show emotions or cry for anything or else they are not considered manly. When it comes to Okonkwo and the way he lives, he believes that anger is the only emotion that should be displayed within a man. He shows this mainly throughout the book when it comes to his relationships with his family. One example is when Okonkwo begins to feel proud about Nwoye becoming more manly because of Ikemefuna.
Okonkwo was inwardly pleased at his son 's development and knew it was due to Ikemefuna. He wanted Nwoye to grow into a tough young man capable of ruling his father 's household when he was dead and gone to join his ancestors (p.52).
Okonkwo was happy inside that his son was finally becoming a man, but he did not want to portray that emotion because it would not have been something a man would do. He also does not display his emotions when Ezinma was taken by Chielo.
Okonkwo was also feeling tired, and sleepy, for although nobody else knew it, he had not slept at all last night. He had felt anxious but did not show it (p.112)
That night when Chielo took Ezinma, Okonkwo was very worried but did not want to