The personal history of an author can have a significant influence on the way meaning is constructed in his/her writing. Comment on specific instances of such influence in Things Fall Apart.
In Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart, there are multiple instances where Achebe's personal history has a significant influence on the way meaning is constructed in the novel. Achebe's personal faith, along with his extended knowledge on african history, all combine to forge meaning that contributes towards the overwhelming theme of duality in the novel
TS1: Achebe's purposefully uses the character of Obereika to communicate the rich and principled African culture .He uses this character to compound the essence that the culture holds whilst communicating a larger reasoning for the locals being able to hold an open-minded outlook on religion.Achebe uses his Christian upbringing to provide two perspectives in the novel.
TS2: Achebe uses the character Mr.Brown for religious duality whilst also helping with the cultural context of the novel. This character is used to reinforce the significance of the Igbo society or "centre" in the novel.
TS3: In the poem titled "Second Coming", Achebe uses a significant chunk of this poem to articulate the duality will lead to the crumble of breaking society and "Things Fall(ing) Apart". This is further recognized through Okonkwo's downfall and role as tragic hero.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Paper 2 Thesis Practice
With reference to "Things Fall Apart", discuss how an understanding of gender influences how the text may be understood:
Understanding of the theme gender in the novel "Things Fall Apart" is crucial in understanding roles of women and men in Igbo society and the perspective of the protagonist Okonkwo on these roles. Thus, understanding of gender can be crucial in aiding the development in cultural context and more importantly helping in the characterization of Okonkwo, by exposing his tragic flaw, harmatia.
TS1: After his exile to Mbanta, Okonkwo reconvenes with his uncle Uchendu,who is shocked by Okonkwo's ignorance toward women inferior power in society, comparing him to a child. This underlines the extent of Okonkwo's ignorance and delusional state of mind in understanding the true roles of women. Using the juxtaposition of women and men in the novel, Achebe's comparison can further help with decontextualization of the text and understanding cultural context.
TS2: Okonkwo's daughter Enzima is a woman of manly qualities and traits, of which Okonkwo cannot resist, yet the idea of her gender, completely transforms his emotions and affection into pity. This shows how Okonkwo is unable to mesh masculine gender characteristics with the "inferior" gender due to his tragic flaw.
TS3: Okonkwo's dear friend Oberika, of who holds a different arsenal of traits in his locker, generally contradicts Okonkwo's opinions and thoughts. When interacting with him, Okonkwo is persistent with his incomprehension of women in Igbo society, which is further recognized through these conversations with his intelligent friend.
Understanding of the theme gender in the novel "Things Fall Apart" is crucial in understanding roles of women and men in Igbo society and the perspective of the protagonist Okonkwo on these roles. Thus, understanding of gender can be crucial in aiding the development in cultural context and more importantly helping in the characterization of Okonkwo, by exposing his tragic flaw, harmatia.
TS1: After his exile to Mbanta, Okonkwo reconvenes with his uncle Uchendu,who is shocked by Okonkwo's ignorance toward women inferior power in society, comparing him to a child. This underlines the extent of Okonkwo's ignorance and delusional state of mind in understanding the true roles of women. Using the juxtaposition of women and men in the novel, Achebe's comparison can further help with decontextualization of the text and understanding cultural context.
TS2: Okonkwo's daughter Enzima is a woman of manly qualities and traits, of which Okonkwo cannot resist, yet the idea of her gender, completely transforms his emotions and affection into pity. This shows how Okonkwo is unable to mesh masculine gender characteristics with the "inferior" gender due to his tragic flaw.
TS3: Okonkwo's dear friend Oberika, of who holds a different arsenal of traits in his locker, generally contradicts Okonkwo's opinions and thoughts. When interacting with him, Okonkwo is persistent with his incomprehension of women in Igbo society, which is further recognized through these conversations with his intelligent friend.
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