The following responses have been developed by the class as part of the comparison activity described below. Each pair looked after 4 chapters and compared them to Chapter 25 when we, as an audience are clearly positioned to see the death of Okonkwo.
In pairs you will be allocated a chapter from the novel to compare with the last chapter.
You will then be reporting your findings back to the class.
You will need to consider the following things for each chapter you are asked to analyse:
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
3. How does the author position you to view men?
4. How does the author position you to view women?
5. How does the author position you to view the Europeans? (If relevant to the chapter).
Once you have done these questions for each chapter compare the similarities and differences between the two.
If there are significant differences comment on what impact this has on your understanding of the story and the overall invited reading?
Chapter 1 - Bianca and Bobbie
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc.)
The author of Things Fall Apart positions the reader to view the Ibo people as tribal, very spiritual, and physically strong. It becomes apparent that the people valued athleticism, the author thoroughly mentions the character ok Okonkwo – who was said to be “as slippery as a fish in water” when battling someone in a wrestling match. The author mentions that, “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements.” This implies that in order to gain respect and power, a man must utilize his strength. The Ibo men valued having many wives and calculated wealth through the amount of yams they owned and were able to grow.
2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
Okonkwo: the author positions the reader to view Okonkwo as the dominant male in the Ibo tribe. The author says that, “he was tall and huge, and his bushy eyebrows and wide nose gave him a very severe look… when he walked, his heels hardly touched the ground and seemed to walk on springs, as if he was going to punce on somebody.” This implies that Okonkwo was a strong man who was obviously feared due to his physical characteristics. Okonkwo was also said to have “no patience for unsuccessful men,” which leads us to believe that this was due to his father who was unable to feed his family due to his laziness. It is clearly seen that Okonkwo grew up very unprivileged, but was able to overcome his Father’s failures and gain the respect of the people through hard work.
Unoka: The author positions the reader to view Unoka as a pathetic and disliked person. He was the very opposite of his son, Okonkwo; Unoka was drowning in debt, had an alcohol problem, and had no form of athletecism. The author further explains that, “Unoka, the grown-up was a failure. He was poor and his wife and children has barely enough to eat. People laughed at him because he was a loafer, and they swore never to lend him money because he never paid back.” This suggests that Unoka had no respect from the people and only brought disappointment up him self and his family.
3. How does the author position you to view men?
The author positions the reader to view men in the Ibo tribe as being compared to women. They are the ones who are depended on to plant food, establish rules, and uphold their family’s reputation. The men are the important people in the tribe and have all the power.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
The author positions the reader to view women in the Ibo tribe as inferior compared to men as they are silenced. They are expected to followe their husband’s orders and ask no questions in doing so. The only contribution they’re entitled to in helping their family is to cook and take care of their children. They have no power or authority in the tribe – not even for themselves. It is the men who are feared and respected.
Chapter 2 - Bianca and Bobbie
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc.)
The author positions the reader the reader to view the Ibo tribe as very reliant on each other. They seem to obey each other’s rules and abide by them in fear of punishment. The people seemed to be afraid of the dark – which may have come from their superstition. Their terror grew at night because they believed that “dangerous animals became even more sinister and uncanny in the dark. The Ibo people were very superstitious, which is demonstrated when the author says that, “a snake was never called by its name at night, because it would hear… it was called a string.” When another tribe killed a female clan member on her way to the market, the Ibo people did not take it lightly. The author continues by saying, “an ultimatum was immediately dispatched to Mbaino asking them to choose berween war on the one hand, and on the other the offer of a young man and a virgin as compensation.” This proves that the Ibo tribe did believe in justice and equality. The tribe members feared the people they believed had magic powers. The Gods, Spirits, Priests, and Medicine-men were all worshipped and followed.
2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
Ikemefuna: A boy that the Ibo tribe had taken from the other clan as a compensation for the murder of their tribe member. He is housed with Okonkwo’s first wife and is treated like a son. Ikemefuna is confused as to why he’s now living the Okonkwo and longs for his mother. However, Ikemefuna understand that his place was now with the Ibo tribe.
Nwoye: Okonkwo’s first son. Nwoye doesn’t show very promising skills on how to sow yams or do anything manly, which conerns his father. The book explains that, “Okonkwo’s first son, Nwoye, was then twelve years old but was already causing his father great anxiety for his incipient laziness. At any rate, that was how it looked to his father, and he sought to correct him by constant nagging and beating.”
Ogbuefi Eseugo: He was a powerful orator and was always chosen to speak on such occasions as the announcement of a death, for example.
3. How does the author position you to view men?
The author positions the reader to view the Ibo men as violent, as they quickly resort to the option of starting a war with the other tribe when their female clan member was murdered.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
Unlike the first chapter, the second chapter exposes that women hold some sort of importance to the Ibo tribe. This is demonstrated by the murder of their female clan member when the Ibo tribe fight for justice. However, the lack of power females have over men still remains. Their place is still in the house nursing the kids and cooking.
Chapter 3 - Sophie
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
• Okonkow is only recognised when he wins the wrestling match - This gives you an idea that all village men had to be strong and they had to prove it by a wrestling match
• Their system of law - After an Ibo women is killed by another village that village is to sacrifice a virgin and a young boy - instead of the killed being imprisoned.
• Okonkow never shows emotion - “Okonkow never showed any emotion openly, unless it is the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness.” pg 25 - this shows the attitude that the tribe has towards men showing emotion.
• Beliefs - Peace week - they honour their peace goddess - ”It was unheard of to beat someone during the sacred week” pg 26 - if they didn’t honour the goddess their crops would not grow. - Okonkow had to sacrifice a female goat at the shrine of Ani.
• Social Structure
1. Ezeani
2. Okonkow
3. Ikemefuna
2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
• Okonkow is seen to be strong, powerful, brave and dominant. He is the leader of his family and he is given the job to look after the young boy who was paid by the village that was responsible for killing the Ibo woman. Okonkow is seen as very cold hearted and strict.
3. How does the author position you to view men?
The author positions the reader to see men and strong and powerful, he positions the audience to see the man as having all power they can do what ever they want within the tribe and to their women.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
The author positions the reader to see women as submissive and weak. They have no power with in the tribe there husband is their leader. If a women is to speak out or speak her mind then she is to be beaten.
Chapter 4 - Khali
Chapter 5 - Sonya
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo Tribe?
Environmental friendly
Strong belief towards the Earth / goddess of Earth Ani
Strict in their own laws/ rules
Communication between all the members in the tribe
Good team work/ tight relationships between all the members
No civilisation/ primitive tribe
Men are superior in the tribe
2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters?
Okonkwo:
Violent (beating his wife)
Not able to control his temper/ anger (beating his wife)
Doesn’t care about feasts as he thinks that it is wasting time
Doesn’t enjoy socialising with people
Hard- Worker
Cares for the environment
Good eater and a drinker
Ekewfi (Second Wife):
Innocent/ naïve
House wife
Lives under the pressure of Okonkwo
Powerless
Ignored by her husband
Ezinma (Daughter of Ekewfi):
Boyish, tom-boy girl
Different from other kids (daughter) in her thoughts and actions
Playful and energetic
Beauty (from her mother)
Well-mannered
Wants to be recognised by her father
3. How does the author position you to view the men?
Superior, dominant
The most important in the tribe
Men does all the hard work in order to support the family
4. How does the author position you to view the women?
Powerless
All housework is done by women
Always behind men (in power)
Doesn’t have the right to stand up for herself
Men represents the women
Stereotypical women
Chapter 6 - Dannielle
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
They are very tribal … they believe very strongly in the spirits, they view strength as an excellent ability to have they are also regarded highly of and are viewed as to wrestle on behalf of there village, this is scene when Okafo wins the wrestle against Amadiora and his is “swept off his feet by supporters…they sang in praise… Okafo will wrestle for our village…then send him word to fight for us.” Men are viewed as higher then women, “the elders and grandees of the village sat on there own stools brought there by their young sons or slaves”, and elders are viewed higher then men and women.
2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
Okonkwo: gets irritated very easily, he tried to kill his wife with a gun as to prove his strength as he doesn’t want to turn out like his farther.
Ekwefi: is very timid and does as her husband asks of her, as the women do have a much say with the Ibo tribe.
3. How does the author position you to view men?
Men are view to be powerful and strong has they are made to wrestle to prove there strength.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
Women are vulnerable and obedient, the women don’t have a say in the Ibo tribe.
Chapter 7 - Rina
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
The tribe; the men should not and should never be seen as weak. Ikemefuna was tricked into thinking that he was going to be returned home, while he was actually going to get killed. The decision was made by Umuofia and Okonkwo was told not to get involved, as his relationship with Ikemefuna was close, ‘That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death’ (p. 50). However as the tribe sees killing people meaning strong- and weak is seen when you cant kill someone for a reason, Ikemefuna was finally killed by Okonkwo. ‘Okonkwo drew his matchet and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak’. (p. 54)
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 cannot be seen weak, and never should be. He has a self pride and his strong leadership leads the tribe. He kills Ikemefuna without showing his true weakness, even though after he does, he really didn’t want to kill his own ‘half’ son who he has been looking after for 3 years and even Okonkwo’s eldest son, Nwoye looks up to Ikemefuna.
Nwoye: Okonkwo’s oldest son, he is starting to leave and move on from being a mum’s boy and become very tough and strong. He has a good relationship with Ikemefuna, but hears and understands that he will be killed by his dad.
Ikemefuna: He lived with Okonkwo for 3 yrs. He saw Okonkwo as his dad, ‘He could hardly imagine that Okonkwo was not his real father’ (p. 52). He thought he was going to go home, and see his family and where he belongs, but he somehow knew what wouldn’t be right.
3. How does the author position you to view men?
Men are tough, should be strong and be able to support and lead the family and the tribe. Nwoye was slowly beginning to become a man, talking about women, and becoming a strong man, ‘Nwoye knew that his father wanted him to be a man’ (p. 41). Men were never seen as weak, if they were, it was a big deal to be seen as opposite of weak.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
Women had no opinion and were silenced for any violence that happened around the tribe. They were not told of the decision of the killing of Ikemefuna in this chapter, the men was in charge of it all, and it seemed like women was only there to feed the man and children.
Chapter 8 - Khierah:
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
In this chapter there is a distinct binary opposition which is embedded for the reader to view the Ibo tribe. The binary opposition is between men and women as the Ibo believe that if you are male you should convey masculinity as if you are female you should display femininity.
2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
Okonkwo
In the beginning of the chapter, Okonkwo is depressed due to the death of Ikemefuna. During this period, he is isolated alone for a few days. “How can a man who has killed five men in battle fall to pieces because he has added a boy to their number? Okonkwo, you have become a woman indeed.” (pg 47). The author positions the reader to view Okonkwo as one who always believes that men are the dominant gender rather than women. Also identifies that women have weak abilities and characteristics.
Ezinma
Is viewed as a source of comfort to Okonkwo. Because she understands him, she does not address his sorrow directly; rather, she urges him to eat. Enzinma is his favourite child. Okonkwo’s frequently voiced desire that Enzinma were a boy seems to suggest that he secretly desires attachment with his actual sons, although he avoids admitting as much because he fears affection as a weakness. Enzinma which also exhibits desirable masculine traits.
3. How does the author position you to view men?
In this chapter the audience is positioned is positioned to view men as trying to act very masculine. The Ibo men believe that is feminine to show emotion and not to show they are weak.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
Women are seen as quite inferior and are the ones with very vulnerable qualities and are weak. As Okonkwo associates weakness with femininity.
Chapter 9 - Remy
How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe?
In chapter 9 the author positions you to view the Ibo tribe as a very caring community as well as very spiritual and superstitious. There is an evident social structure within the village, with people that are shown to be higher up than others. The culture in tribe is very clearly displayed in chapter 9, as when the child is sick much traditional African customs occur. Okonkwo’s wife Ekwefi’s, 9 other children who had died in infancy had said to bring evil to Ekwefi’s womb. Many things were prescribed to solve the problem of this ogbanje child such as; not sleeping in her own hut for it would supposedly break the evil cycle of the wicked tormenter. There was also the incident of, after her third child was born and died, he was not permitted to be mourned
How does the author position you to view the individual characters?
The medicine man, Okagbue Uyanwa who had great knowledge about ogbanje children appears to be the highest on the social rank in this chapter. Okagbue who had helped the family previously with ogbanje problems, he had come back to help cure Ezinma. He is positioned to view as a wise and respected elder that knows much about the Umofian traditions.
Okonkwo who is the influential clan leader of Umofia is positioned to view as being very strong and able in the clan. He is very superior to his wives and children and it is he who makes all decisions.
Ekwefi is one of Okonkwo’s wives, she
How does the author position you to view men?
Men have been positioned to view as much more dominant than women. There is presence of this throughout the entire chapter with what men do over the women. It seems as though whatever the male says, the females follow without any dipute. At the beginning of the chapter the male dominance is shown in the way Okonkwo knows that it is Ekwefi entering his obi because the other wives would not have the audacity to bang on his door as she did. Okonkwo speaks very bluntly and angrily at his wives and at the end of the chapter, on page 75 he yells at Ekwefi and asks her if she is deaf.
How does the author position you to view women?
In this chapter women are positioned to be viewed as inferior to men. Women are viewed in the community much for child birthing, as in Ekwefi’s case, she had 9 children that had died before Ezinma came. On page 72 when they are searching for the buried iyi-uwa, Okonkwo threatens Ezinma by saying, “If you bring us all this way for nothing I shall beat some sense into you.” This shows the male, as well as the fatherly dominance that is present in the chapter.
Chapter 10 - Tara
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
• The author positions readers to view the Ibo tribe as very cultural as each of the nine villages share ceremonies where certain men of the village masquerade themselves as the ancestral spirits of the village, the ‘egwugwu’, who come to settle the disputes. Certain men with different titles were made the egwugwu of their tribe. In this chapter, these men were at the top of the social structure in the tribe, and were seen as the wise ones compared to the rest of the men.
2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).
The 9 Egwugwu are positioned to be the dominant characters in this chapter. Evil forest represents the village of Emueru and he was the eldest of the nine. The other 8 leaders are then positioned in order of seniority. The two other main characters that are essential in the plot are Odukwe and Uzowulu who are in an argument about Uzowulu beating up his wife. These characters are average men of the tribes and look to the ‘evil forest to settle their dispute.
3. How does the author position you to view men?
• Men are positioned to be higher in the social hierarchy of their tribe as they are the only ones allowed to take part in making decisions when the villages have arguments. Throughout the novel, men were the only ones authorised to receive a title. “The titled men and elders sat on their stools waiting for the trials to begin” (pg.77). Therefore, the author positions readers to view men as superior and wiser when it comes to looking after the values, attitudes and beliefs of the tribe.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
• The author positions readers to view women as inferior to men. In chapter 10, women are seen as outsiders. “It was clear from the way the crowd stood or sat that the ceremony was for men. There were many women, but they looked on from the fringe like outsiders” (pg.77). This quote refers to the communal ceremony that took place on the Village Ilo. Women were not allowed to enter as they were not wise enough to take part in the decisions for the community.
• Women were also given jobs to do, and never given the authority to go into the egwugwu house. “The egwugwu house into which they emerged faced the forest, away from the crowd, who saw only its back with the many-coloured patterns and drawings done by specially chosen women at regular intervals. These women never saw the inside of the hut. No woman ever did. They scrubbed and painted the outside walls under the supervision of men” (pg.78). The author has positioned women as ‘slaves’ as they were never to enter the hut, yet they had to paint the outside of it. Their imaginations of these huts were unseen and women had to keep their thoughts to themselves as they were being watch by men when scrubbing and painting the walls.
Chapter 11 - Laura:
Chapter 12 - Julianna:
1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).
In the Ibo tribe, there is a social structure which places men above women. This is made evident as women are sent to collect food, carry pots of water and prepare meals. An example of this is when Okonkwo says, “Who will prepare my afternoon meal?” (Page 98) Ojiugo agrees to prepare it, “I shall return to do it.” (Page 98) There is a culture in the Ibo Tribe that a woman’s Uri (part of the betrothal ceremony when the dowry is paid) is to be greatly celebrated. This chapter is mainly about Obierika’s daughter’s Uri. In this ceremony, “everybody had been invited- men, women and children.” (Page 97) The attitude that is valued in men who are part of the Ibo tribe is masculinity. This is apparent in the chapter when Ezinma gets taken away by a priestess and Okonkwo and Ekwefi (Ezinma’s mother) are very worried. Ekwefi is open to her worries but Okonkwo hides them in order to keep his masculine manner. “He had allowed what he regarded as a reasonable and manly interval to pass and then gone with his matchet to the shrine, where he thought they must be.” (Page 99) A few sentences later in the paragraph it says, “By then he had become gravely worried” (Page 99) which gives the impression that Okonkwo was actually a man with feelings but he was to afraid of what others might think so he acted ‘manly’ and strong.
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 masculine on the outside but on the inside he has humanly feelings which he considers to be ‘feminine.’ For example when he is “gravely worried” (Page 99) about Ezinma’s disappearance. He hides this sensitivity and uses his temper to prove that he is masculine. “They dare not bring fewer than thirty pots… I shall tell them my mind if they do.” (Page 102) This shows that Okonkwo is also high in power because he can be violent towards other men who provide palm wine to the group of men. Okonkwo is a well known person which is proved on the last page of this chapter. “They sang songs as they went, and on their way they paid short courtesy visits to prominent men like Okonkwo.” (Page 104)
OBIERIKA: He is shown in this chapter to be popular and he seems to know everybody in the village, “Men, women and children.” (Page 97)
OBIERIKA’S DAUGHTER: She is a central character in this chapter as the entire village and her “immediate relatives… and extensive group of kinsmen called umunna.” (Page 97) The celebration is entirely revolved around her and it is known to be “really a woman’s ceremony and the central figures were the bride and her mother.” (Page 97)
3. How does the author position you to view men?
Men in this chapter as seen to be important and are higher on the social structure than women. Men can invite relatives and villagers to celebrations, however women, who are the central figures in the ceremony, have to cook and carry food. During the ceremony, pots of palm wine are brought in for all of the men to drink. Okonkwo says, “They dare not bring fewer than thirty pots… I shall tell them my mind if they do.” (Page 102) Later on in the chapter when the palm wine is being handed out “Thirty, thirty-five, forty, forty-five.” “The hosts nodded in approval and seemed to say, ‘Now they are behaving like men.’” (Page 102) This shows that men need to be generous in the amount of palm wine to be considered “Real Men.” (Page 102) If they did not produce a lot of palm wine out to the crowd all of the other men would have been disgraced and furious.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
Women in this chapter are viewed as people who cook food for both entire crowds and also individual husbands and carry water. Although the central character if the Uri is the wife and her mother, it becomes evident in this chapter that what men think about the generosity of other men is more important. Women prepare all of the food for the men and the crowd however apart from the beginning of the chapter where it says, “It was really a woman’s ceremony,” (Page 97) she is not mentioned again in the chapter. This shows that even though she is what the celebration revolves around, men are the ones who need to give their ‘okay’ to the celebration.
5. How does the author position you to view the Europeans? (If relevant to the chapter).
The Europeans are not yet brought forward in this chapter.
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