Things Fall Apart Masculinity

How are masculinity and femininity used to symbolize different objects? Things Fall Apart is about a guy named Okonkwo that starts off as a determined guy and ends up being weak. Okonkwo is full of anger and rage and he takes it out on his son, Nwoye, who gets so fed up with that that he converts religions and leaves his clan. In Things Fall Apart, Achebe uses different objects to represent masculinity and femininity, such as folktales, yams, and fire which tells us that masculinity and femininity is valued in different cultures and societies. Folktales are not just fun stories for kids to teach them a lesson; they can also be a symbol of femininity.

Text Comparison Essay The text Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and the text from the Documentary The Mask You Live In by Jessica Anthony and Jessica Congdon deal with the main idea/topic of masculinity given from the text within the story and the documentary. The authors want to prove the given perception about masculinity and how it can be taken with the examples given from the text and the documentary-like proving masculinity, or how it shows that when times are tough and you’re on your own, or hiding your emotions behind a perceived mask.

In most cultures an individual’s gender will influence their characterization. For instance, Ibo tribes in Africa classify people according to their gender. Women are thought as submissive individuals who are to some extent weaker than men. Men on the other hand are thought of as strong beings with much expected from them. Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart strongly emphasizes on the categorization of masculinity and femininity in the society of Ibo tribes. Throughout the book, Okonkwo’s idea about masculinity situates him with respect to his community. In his community Okonkwo is greatly praised for his masculine traits. It is Okonkwo integration with masculinity that leads to him becoming an

Yet people who are not effeminate, don’t act like Okonkwo. Okonkwo attended the execution of his surrogate son, he also violently stabbed him with a machete because he didn't want to see unmanly. In the Ibo culture being a ‘man’ means you are respected and people will listen. Okonkwo's acts are motivated by him wanting to seem manly in the eyes of the elders and the people in Umuofia, and be the

The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, they emphasize on personal achievements, and taking titles which means leadership and respect (Ohadike Don C., p. xxvi-xxvii). In the book Things Fall Apart, the main character, Okonkwo is affected by the influences of the Igbo society and vows to become a man of the highest title and to gain respect from all the lands. Okonkwo and his family live in male dominant society where men are superior to women, therefore, Okonkwo thinks he is the owner of his household, and constantly beats his three wives and children. Okonkwo develops arrogant characteristics and a fear of being weak from the traditions of the society, and throughout the book he puts up a hard exterior and beats

Author J. S. Bryan once said, “Many men can make a fortune but very few can build a family.” This can be said of many families today and may be the reason why successful men have not-so-successful marriages. The importance of family and healthy communication is emphasized in the novel, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe - ironically- by portraying the complete opposite: a fairly broken relationship and the consequences of that negative influence. The main character, Okonkwo lives his whole life obsessed with the idea of masculinity and is “dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness"(22). This fear was implanted into him because of his firm desire to be nothing like his father, who was seen as a shameful man who had taken no title in

Okonkwo was known for his valor in war and his victory against Amalinze the Cat, Okonkwo believed that masculinity can only be shown through his violent action, in order to express his power, he often hit his wives and children, even during the Week of Peace. Nothing seemed to be able to stop him from being violent, because nice or caring personality is considered as weak or feminine. First case was when Ojiugo left without feeding her kid, and such action to Okonkwo was Ojiugo not doing her duty as stated “‘Did she ask you to feed then before she went?’ ‘Yes,’ lied Nwoye’s mother, trying to minimize Ojiugo’s thoughtlessness. Okonkwo knew she was not speaking the truth. He walked back to his obi to await Ojiugo’s return. And when she returned he beat her very heavily. In his anger he had forgotten that it was the Week of Peace” (Achebe 29). The word “beat heavily” implies that Okonkwo did not just beat Ojiugo, instead, it is in the form of domestic violence, the

There are many recurring themes in the novel, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe; however, for the purpose of this paper a detailed analysis from a specific quote would be conducted. “The story of Okonkwo is in a way the story of our culture; he pays a price because he places too much emphasis on strength and manliness.” Strength and manliness can promote an array of translations in order to justify actions within the novel and within today’s American society. If it’s comparing an egotistical mindset of a character of this novel or certain beings that tend to portray these features, there are always certain characteristics that are consistent. It isn’t coincidental that strength is in association with manliness, however asserting these words in extreme forms of actions is far from powerful.

Chris Balog Mrs. Edelstein Honors English II 20 November 2014 Masculinity in Things Fall Apart In Things Fall Apart, Achebe uses Okonkwo’s obsession with masculinity and the fear of displaying weakness to show the power and brute force of a man in the Ibo Culture.(thesis)(include the result) Okonkwo, unlike his father before him, finds comfort in all schemes of power and wealth. His entire life is dedicated to the constant struggle to construct and maintain a strong household for him to produce many children and to acquire many wives.

Consequently, Okonkwo

The book shows that men care a lot about their pride. Sometimes a man’s pride, reputation, and masculinity, is everything to him. He does everything in his power to achieve his desires; he worked for a wealthy man named Nwakibie to earn his first yam seeds (14). Okonkwo shows that nothing worth having comes easy. Thus men work hard to gain titles to build a wealthy reputation, prided because of large yam harvest, and showing off their masculinity and strength through skills in battles and wrestling matches. Their pride, reputation, and masculinity is an important part of their life.

In the novel, Things Fall Apart, Achebe expresses the following, “In his day he was lazy and improvident and was quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow.” (Achebe 4) This quote describes Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, which also helps in demonstrating Okonkwo’s definition of masculinity. In the novel, Things Fall Apart, Achebe describes Okonkwo using the following, “And so although Okonkwo was still young, he was already one of the greatest men of all time.” (Achebe 8) Okonkwo and Unoka are character foils in the novel.

The only thing he (Okonkwo) fears most is not ending up like his father, Unoka. However, Achebe ‘‘makes an insightful comment on the nature of masculinity through his representation of the tribal leaders. Achebe basically, was conducive in creating four alter egos of Okonkwo: one of which were the masculinity; next of his fatherly abilities; and the last of his family progress and four of his likelihood of success’’ (Achebe.179). My paper will explain how Okonkwo’s Masculinity from Achebe’s Things Fall Apart will be characterized by his fears, beliefs, and emotions for several reasons.

Okonkwo’s father was a woman in the eyes of the clan and Okonkwo tried not to be a coward like his father. For a long time, Okonkwo was seen as a man. He beat his wife and children, could grow yams, and had lots of money. Up until Okonkwo’s last hours, he was seen as a true man in Umuofia. Until he had killed himself, which wasn’t seen as a manly act.

character from the book Things Fall Apart is Okonkwo. Okonkwo’s personality is one of a leader. He is a hard worker and he expects other people to work hard too. He is a determined man to be the best and most powerful person in the village. Okonkwo provides food for his own family and also for his parents.