The Role of Women in "Things Fall Apart"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the novel, "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, is a story of a Nigerian family in the colonial times of African history. The author points out that the main character, Okonkwo, sees women in this novel as weak and soft, while the men are masculine and strong; women certainly are not equal to the men in Ibo society. The paper shows that Achebe uses the women of the novel in relationship to the white people because the men of the Ibo do not treat their women any better than the white people treat the Ibo.

From the Paper:

"Even at the end of his life, Okonkwo cannot take responsibility for his own actions. He has driven away and disowned his son, he has alienated his wives and children by beating and berating them, and he has even gone into exile. Yet, he is still desperately afraid of appearing weak like a "woman." He does not learn from his experiences, and he does not learn that there are far worse things than appearing womanly. His son, Nwoye, is happy in his life with the whites, but Okonkwo cannot even accept that happiness. He is a sad figure, and it seems right somehow that he commits the ultimate act of weakness, suicide, because it is clear from the beginning of the story that Okonkwo cannot learn and grow."

More papers on The Role of Women in "Things Fall Apart":

• Term Paper # 99969 : "Igbo Women in "Things Fall Apart"
• Analytical Essay # 54834 : "Things Fall Apart: An Analysis"
• Analytical Essay # 5317 : "Achebe's "Things Fall Apart"

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