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.