Class Collaboration on TFA - Chapters 13-24

Chapter 13 - Bianca
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc.)

It becomes apparent that the Ibo people have funerals for their respected dead. When an honourable clan member, Ezeudu had died, the author explains the, “it was a great funeral,” for Ezeudu, “such as befitted a noble warrior. As the evening drew near, the shouting an the firing of guns, the beating of drums and the brandishing and clanging of matchets increased.”
2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
Okonkwo: He is exiled from the clan in this chapter because he commits a crime. Okonkwo had killed a clan member, and “the only course open to Okonkwo was to flee from the clan. It was a crime against the earth goddess to kill a clansman, and a man who commited it must flee from the land.” This is dramatic for both him and his family. This proves that no matter how respected or powerful you are in the clan, their beliefs and fear for their God comes first.
Ezeudu: Ezeudu had taken three titles in his life, which was a rare achievement. He had been the oldest man in the village and was greatly respected, so all the clan attended his funeral.



Chapter 14 - Bianca and Bobbie Chapter 15 - Sophie
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
Social Structure:
1. Missionaries
2. Members of the Ibo Tribe
Values - Okonkow is shocked that his son Nwoye abandons his father and tribe to work for the missionaries  - When Nwoye explains to Obierika that he is “One of them” pg 125
Attitudes - The attitudes that the native people have towards the missionaries, they are shocked and confused by their arrival, their god and the kinds of objects they bring to the village e.g. the Iron Horse,
Beliefs - The missionaries try to enforce their belief and their god to the people of Umofia  they are confused by this.

2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot)..The missionaries: The author positions the reader to see the missionaries as trying to persuade the tribes to believe in their god and as if they need to be saved. They are positioned to kind of look like the bad guys

The tribe people

Nwoye: Is positioned to be seen as a traitor to the clan as he goes off with the missionaries.

3. How does the author position you to view men?
In this chapter you are not positioned to see men in anyway

4. How does the author position you to view women?
In this chapter the author does not position you to see women in any way

5. How does the author position you to view the Europeans? (If relevant to the chapter).
In this chapter the audience is positioned to see the Europeans as the “bad guys” as they have somewhat brainwashed Nwoye into their belief and obeying their god “There was young lad who had been captivated. His name was Nwoye...” pg 28. They are seen as strange and foreign to the tribal people

Chapter 16 - Khali
Chapter 17 - Dannielle
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
The Ibo tribe is very spiritual “ the evil forest was a fit home for such in desirable people.” They are also into punishment a if a person does something they will be punished by the gods and they feel as if they should not interfere in other people business, this is seen when one of the christens kills the royal python and they feel as though god will punish him and they should not get in gods way or they will be punished, “when a man blasphemes, what do we do ? do we go and stop his mouth? No. we put our fingers in our ears to stop us hearing. This is a wise action.”

2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
Oknokwo: believes that problems should be solved using violence, this is seen when he thinks they should fight against the christens, but the … decides against it, and when the people decide not to use violence he thinks that the tribe is womanly, “this is a womanly tribe, he thought.”

3. How does the author position you to view men?
They are positioned to view men as higher then women as Mr. kiaga tell the women what to do.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
The women: are seen as being lower then men in the tribe as they are do the cleaning and preparing, this is seen when “Mr. Kiaga had asked the women to bring red earth and white calk and water to scrub the church for Easter.”

5. How does the author position you to view the Europeans? (If relevant to the chapter).
The follow their leader Mr. Kiaga who views God very seriously, and believes there’s only one God.
Mr. Kiaga is viewed as a teacher and leader, the Europeans brought a different religion and government and they don’t believe in the superstition that the Ibo tribe do the is seen when Mr. Kiaga says “the heathen say you will die if you do this or that, and you are afraid. They also said I would die if I built my church on these grounds. Am I dead?”(139)

Chapter 18 - Sonya
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo Tribe?

Believes in myth, fear of evil spirits
Fear of foreigners/ Europeans
Believes that the white people are powerful
It is a sin to change their religion/ abandon the tribe’s belief

2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters?
Okonkwo:
Very violent
Problems with anger management
Scared of losing his son
Pride in his son
Nwoye (Son of Okonkwo):
Fear of his father
Wants to be educated
Doesn’t want to become like his father
Takes action of his thoughts and beliefs
Attracted to new faith, Christianity

3. How does the author position you to view the men?
The ones who make the decisions
Strict and shows masculinity

5. How does the author position you to view the Europeans?
Different, rather strange
Strong belief in God
Wants to make the Ibo tribe civilised

Chapter 19 - Rina
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).

When a leader is leaving a place, they have a big feast to thank everyone and appreciate the gratefulness of the people. As Okonkwo says, ‘I must thank my mother’s kindsmen before I go’ (p.144).

Also he says, ‘My mother’s people have been good to me and I must how my gratitude’ (p. 145).

The oldest members of the umunna rose to thank Okonkwo:, ‘Thank you…a man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. ….An abominable religion has settles among you.’ (p.147)

The umunna tribe warns Okonkwo and his family for the Europeans. The tribes support and thank each other for any ceremonies.

2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot)
Okonkwo: He shows a great appreciation to the kinsmen and the umunna members in Mbanta. He thank them with a great feast, which they did not expect, ‘We all know him, and we expected a big feast. But it turned out to be even bigger than we expected.’ (p.147)

3. How does the author position you to view men?
The men lead any tribes and are always supporting one another. They are in charge of the meat in feasts and give thankful and warning messages to each other.

4. How does the author position you to view women?
The women were there in this chapter to collect and harvest some food. They cooked most of the food except meat for the feast. They didn’t have many opinions and were silenced for decisions made, for example, what kind of food should there be at the feast…

5. How does the author position you to view the Europeans? (If relevant to the chapter).
When the oldest members of the umunna warned Okonkwo about the Europeans, it was said that they were, ‘An abominable religion has settled among you… I fear for you; I fear for the clan’ (p. 147). Europeans are said to be an abominable in another words, horrible and dreadful religion/people has come to the Ibo tribe. It then gives an awful view and image of the Europeans.

Chapter 20 - Khierah
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
The reader is positioned to view the Ibo tribe as being demolished by the white people. Whilst Okonkwo was exiled his people have been taken over by white people and learnt that their spiritual way and thoughts are bad. There is a strict colonial discourse in this chapter as the Ibo tribe are being colonised by the white people by learning their way of life, government and religion. “It is already too late, said Obierika sadly. Our own men and our sons have joined the ranks of the stranger. They have joined his religion and they help to uphold his government.” This is an example of colonial discourse which is embedded in the chapter as majority of the Ibo tribe are to believe that their society, religion and way of thinking is morally wrong and are being taught by the white people how to behave.

2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
Okonkwo
Okonkwo is still determined to regain the respect of the Ibo tribe and win back the land. Although when he returned the tribe wasn’t the same as they had been colonised by the white people. Okonkwo is trying to find any way to regain his title of the Ibo tribe, to which he thinks will help if he demolishes the white people and rescue the ones who have followed the strangers.
Obierika
Still believes that there is someway to resolve this crisis, however he is not as determined as Okonkwo. Obierika’s motive is significantly different to Okonkwo’s as he is doing it, mostly to regain his title in the tribe however Obierika wants to stop this because he knows it is wrong for his culture and he believes that people shouldn’t be punished for such a thing.
Enzinma
Enzinma is seen as favoured mostly by Okonkwo not only in this chapter but throughout the book, as Okonkwo believes she should be a man. “I wish she were a boy, Okonkwo thought within himself. She understood things so perfectly. Who else among his children could have read his thought so well.”

3. How does the author position you to view men?
There is a split with how the author positions the reader to view men. As the men like Okonkwo and Obierika are trying to stop the invasion of the European, however there are the men like Ogbuefi who has joined the Europeans.

4. How does the author position you to view women?
Women are not mentioned in the chapter, they are viewed as to follow the orders of the men and are of lower status.

5. How does the author position you to view the Europeans? (If relevant to the chapter).
The Europeans in this chapter are viewed as being the ones that invaded the Ibo tribe and disrupted the peace that was within the society. This is which makes Okonkwo to want to fight back so he is able to regain his title in the land. Also because of the deep spiritual connection he felt the Europeans have demolished.

Chapter 21 - Remy
How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe?

The author positions you to view the Ibo tribe as having their own religion and having a much different culture to that of the Europeans. The Ibo tribe are positioned to be viewed as much further ‘behind’ than the Europeans are in a way in which they do not have stored, let alone schools. The Europeans saw them as being very primitive in comparison to their own race.


How does the author position you to view the individual characters?
Mr Brown- Viewed as being the main missionary that is trying to change the way in which Umofia operates. He is very well respected in Umofia as well as neighbouring villages. Does not seem to understand why their beliefs are as they are, and why they fear their God.
Akunna- Is not willing to change his views on religion, and greatly believes in their God, Chuckwu.


How does the author position you to view men?
The men in this chapter are positioned to be the main people in this chapter. The missionary, Mr Brown in this chapter is a male as well as Akunna who he is conversing with. All mention in this chapter is about the women, showing the presence of male superiority in Umofia.


How does the author position you to view women?
There is not much mention of women in this chapter, whether it is their unimportance in the chapter, or them just not being there at the time is what the author positions you to think. The only mention of women is at the end of the chapter when Okonkwo returns and his daughters are readily suited to be married. This is proving the men superiority in that women are told who to marry and the husband pays a price to the family. There is no sign of the missionaries trying to change the view of the women, nor is there mention of girls going to school.


How does the author position you to view the Europeans?
The Europeans are positioned to be viewed as very narrow minded, in trying to persuade the Ibo tribe to think the same way as they do. Mr Brown in this chapter attempts to persuade the people of Umofia to go to school, as well as believe in their religion. He spends long hours with Akunna talking about religion and tells him about his religion and about their God. The missionaries did not find it as easy as they thought it would be to change the ideas of the tribe, so he came to the conclusion that a frontal attack on the religion would not succeed so he built a school and a little hospital in Umofia. It is very clear that the Europeans are trying to change Umofia to be a Western civilisation and setting up all of the new services in the town.

Chapter 22 - Tara
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
The Ibo tribe start to take responsibility for their actions in this chapter. Instead of following the ways of Christianity, and to what Mr. Smith has to say, they take action and burn the Church when one of the Zealots disgrace the tribes attitudes and beliefs. “Tell them to go away from here. This is the house of God and I will not live to see it desecrated” (pg. 167). Mr. Smith tries to protect the church from the Ibo tribe. Towards the end, he could not save the church as there was only a ‘pile of earth and ashes’ left from what Mr. Brown had built.

2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
The main characters in this chapter are Mr. Smith, Enoch and the Egwugwu. The author positions us to view Mr. Smith as a bad influence on the tribes. Soon enough, Mr. Smith was powerless to stop the tribe from doing what they believe in.

“It was Enoch who touched off the great conflict between church and clan in Umuofia which had been gathering since Mr. Brown left”. There is a relationship between Mr. Brown and Enoch as they both conflicted disagreements between both sides when Mr. Brown took over Mr. Smith’s job.
3. How does the author position you to view men?
There is great conflict between the men in chapter 22 as Enoch was trying to start a religious war by degrading the tribe’s religion, so the only option was too fight. Readers are positioned to view men as very competitive between Christianity and the tribal religion. This happens when one of the Egwugwu’s were revealed in public which is a crime of their religion. The only option for men was too fight, so the Egwugwu had come to the church in the night and settled by burning the church and the shrine.
4. How does the author position you to view the Europeans? (If relevant to the chapter).
In this chapter there is conflict between the Europeans and the tribes in Umuofia. There is a new European in charge, Mr. Smith and he does not share the same policies as Mr. Brown. He lead the Umuofia church and encourages the Christian fanatics to act against the tribes. Throughout this chapter, the Europeans are positioned to be viewed as the bad ones who are destroying their attitudes and beliefs. This is shown when one of religious zealots, Enoch, unmasked an Egwugwu in public which was a great crime to not only the ancestral spirits, but also to the villages.

Chapter 23 - Laura
Chapter 24 - Julianna:
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
The Ibo tribe in this chapter is seen to be less powerful than the Europeans and are in a way seen as cowardly and easily hurt. Okonkwo in the previous chapter was taken away by the Europeans along with a few other men from the tribe. He was mistreated and tortured, and when he returned home he had gashes and scars remaining. The culture of the Ibo tribe is that fighting a war is the only way to resolve the problem of the Europeans overtaking them. “If Umuofia decided on war, all would be well… He thought about wars in the past. The noblest, he thought, was the war against Isike.” (Page 175) This shows that men in the Ibo tribe value the idea of violence and strength in order to declare war and eventually bring peace.

2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
OKONKWO: He is seen to be obsessed with war and violence. He is very much against the way that the Europeans treat him and he is ready to fight against them. He holds a grudge against people who are against war and sees them as womanly and feminine in behaviour. “’The greatest obstacle in Umuofia… is that coward, Egonwanne. His sweet tongue can change fire into cold ash. When he speaks he moves our men to impotence. If they had ignored his womanish wisdom five years ago, we would not have come to this.’ He ground his teeth.” (Page 176) This supports the idea that Okonkwo is keen on war and against the feminine ideas solving problems without it.
THE WHITE MEN: The white men in the chapter are more powerful than Okonkwo and other members of the Ibo tribe. “The white man whose power you know to well has ordered this meeting to stop.” (Page 180) This proves that white men have even the upmost power to stop a meeting concerning only the Ibo tribes. The Europeans had nothing to do with the meeting and none of the Ibo tribe invited them, yet as soon as they tell the meeting to stop, the tribe listens.

3. How does the author position you to view men?
The author positions men in this chapter to be viewed as war loving and violence devoted. Men see the Europeans as an abomination in to their society and are faced with the task of developing a plan to “root out this evil.” (Page 179) Men from the Ibo tribe have much less privilege than the European region. This is shown when white men walk into their meeting. Although Okonkwo is strong and prevails in war, he is “trembling with hate” (Page 179) and is “Unable to utter a word” (Page 179) to the Europeans. Okonkwo still behaved fearless and stood in front of the white man while other clan members stood behind. “Let me pass!” (Page 179) the white man ordered the tribe members to let him pass and they did. White men, as demonstrated in the quote, are able to only use voice for the tribe members to listen. Okonkwo proves his violence and masculine strength when he strikes his matchet at the European messenger. “In a flash Okonkwo drew his matchet. The messenger crouched to avoid the blow. It was useless. Okonkwo’s matchet descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body.” (Page 180) This is an example of the idea that men in Umuofia are powerful in strength; however the Europeans are more powerful strength and vocabulary.

4. How does the author position you to view women?
Women are not mentioned in this chapter. This shows that when dealing with violence and war, men are more useful than women. Women are used purely for cooking and cleaning purposes however men are the ones who come up with the ‘great ideas’ to do with war and bringing peace to the land.

5. How does the author position you to view the Europeans? (If relevant to the chapter).
The Europeans in chapter 24 are violent, powerful and demanding. When Okonkwo comes back from being tortured by the white men there is an example of violence. “…They noticed the long stripes on Okonkwo’s back where the warder’s whip had cut into his flesh.” (Page 175) There is also another example of ill-treatment of the Ibo tribe members after Okonkwo is “sore with vengeance” (Page 175), “As he lay on his bamboo bed he thought about the treatment he had received in the white man’s court.” (Page 175)