THINGS FALL APART

[Julez]

I decided to reread Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and it seems like I'm reading with new eyes. The opening chapter drew me into the action immediately. The author is a definite pro. Have you reread this book? What do you think of Okonkwo? Is his late father responsible for his actions or him? I really would like to know your views

[ms_vinkel]

I'm currently reading this book! 😄

So far (I'm on Chapter 11), I find Okonkwo's actions true to his rigid (narrow-minded?) views of what men, strong and powerful men, should be. It's a good book on defining or reconstructing power and gender stereotypes.

What aspect did you like most about this book?

[Bwambale Robert1]

I read this book. the aspect I got was to work hard because okwonkwo never inherited anything from his father

[Isamonei]

But I love how torn Okwonko is about how he acts. There's that line where he wishes his daughter was a boy, because she'd make a good boy. And then the whole thing with how he basically loves Ikemefuna. I think Okwonko's also shows how repressive masculine expectations are for men.

[VSuraj]

At first I didn’t like Okwonko, but then I grew to respect him because he really stayed true to his character, holding firm to his values and ideals of masculinity. The ending was sad but I saw why it had to be done; the changes to the village and their beliefs would have made Okwonko go insane at some point, forcing him to do something drastic.
Overall, a good story involving a different culture, and about a man trying to hold on to his moral code amidst a sea of changes.

[Julez]

I'm currently reading this book!

So far (I'm on Chapter 11), I find Okonkwo's actions true to his rigid (narrow-minded?) views of what men, strong and powerful men, should be. It's a good book on defining or reconstructing power and gender stereotypes.

What aspect did you like most about this book?

It just seemed like a beautiful lifestyle and culture which ought not to have been disrupted. I felt sorry for him cos his own people could not unite with him.

[Julez]

But I love how torn Okwonko is about how he acts. There's that line where he wishes his daughter was a boy, because she'd make a good boy. And then the whole thing with how he basically loves Ikemefuna. I think Okwonko's also shows how repressive masculine expectations are for men.

I was wishing along with him too about his daughter and yeah, I see your point about repressive masculine expectations. He went overboard with it cos he didn't want to be likened to his father. Our backgrounds and experiences do affect our turnouts.

[Julez]

At first I didn’t like Okwonko, but then I grew to respect him because he really stayed true to his character, holding firm to his values and ideals of masculinity. The ending was sad but I saw why it had to be done; the changes to the village and their beliefs would have made Okwonko go insane at some point, forcing him to do something drastic.
Overall, a good story involving a different culture, and about a man trying to hold on to his moral code amidst a sea of changes.

Nice summary
And yeah, the whole changes would probably have made him go insane. He just couldn't accept it like his friend.

[Julez]

I read this book. the aspect I got was to work hard because okwonkwo never inherited anything from his father

True.
He didn't want to inherit his supposed weakness too. I think it's the reason why he went overboard with his "He-man" actions.

[geormash]

Okwonko never inherited anything from his father, hence his determination to work hard and beat his father's record. And build his own legacy.

[Julez]

Okwonko never inherited anything from his father, hence his determination to work hard and beat his father's record. And build his own legacy.

He really did well for himself. A pity he had bad luck with the shooting incident.

[KCFranklin]

I had my classes in African and Middle Eastern Studies read this novel as an example of how a colonial power forever changed the tribal traditions. Okwonko is very much presented in the manner of a Greek tragedy in that his hubris and unbending nature contribute to his downfall. One can not blame his father for Okwonko's troubles because he brings them on himself. For someone who honored tradition , coupled with his pride, should have never violated the Week of Peace or taken part in the murder of the young man. It was his stubborn pride that caused his downfall, not his father. Likewise he pushed his son into the colonial lifestyle through his discontentment of the boy's nature. It is no wonder that his end was as symbolic as it was; he brought it upon himself.

K. Courtney Franklin

[Julez]

I had my classes in African and Middle Eastern Studies read this novel as an example of how a colonial power forever changed the tribal traditions. Okwonko is very much presented in the manner of a Greek tragedy in that his hubris and unbending nature contribute to his downfall. One can not blame his father for Okwonko's troubles because he brings them on himself. For someone who honored tradition , coupled with his pride, should have never violated the Week of Peace or taken part in the murder of the young man. It was his stubborn pride that caused his downfall, not his father. Likewise he pushed his son into the colonial lifestyle through his discontentment of the boy's nature. It is no wonder that his end was as symbolic as it was; he brought it upon himself.

K. Courtney Franklin

Interesting summation, Franklin. I guess his forced departure from the clan was karma. I also agree that his stubborn pride and anger pushed his son away. Men were probably not allowed to be sensitive in those days.

[Falling4Ever]

This book really came full circle and while Okonkwo is hard to like at first, you almost pity him throughout.

[Julez]

This book really came full circle and while Okonkwo is hard to like at first, you almost pity him throughout.

That was the exact feeling I had.