Abstract This paper examines culture, society, and gender roles in Chinua Achebe's novel about survival of native clans in pre-colonial societies along the Niger River in "Things Fall Apart". The author discusses how Igbo tribal members dealt with gender restrictions.
From the Paper "Achebe's use of the motif "agbala" in Things Fall Apart showed the importance of clear and distinct gender roles to the survival of the Igbo. In spite of Okonkwo's profound fear of being seen as weak or womanly, most men in the male dominated society still accorded respect toward women. The roles were re-enforced among the Igbo through conscious identification with one's own gender, by the religious structure and the social mores. The language, specifically the terms and phrases they used which were reflected in the narration, effectively integrated gender, religion and social mores to help the Igbo survive as a people."
Abstract This paper looks at the African village life of Nigeria, as portrayed in Achebe's novel, and how this is a reflection of his own personal upbringing. Village life is compared to what we might call "civilized" life in the novel, and village life is seen as better. It shows how Achebe understands the plight of the men and women in the village and uses his direct knowledge of that world to create the story of Okonkwo and his family.
From the Paper "Okonkwo's story does differ from that of the author in many respects, of course, especially for Achebe, who left village life behind and achieved much more through education and his own ability than Okonkwo ever will. The picture Achebe paints of Okonkwo is of a man beset by fear and lashing out at the world with frustration and anger, beginning with the women in his own household: Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children. Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness (Achebe 13)."
Tags: africa, okonkwo, agbala, imperialism, british
