Things Fall Apart Feminist Criticism Essay

821 Words2 Pages

Living As a Wolf: A Feminist Approach to Things Fall Apart

“It is better to die as a wolf than living like a dog,” stated Herbert Wehner, which was the way Okonkwo felt towards the Igbo village becoming feminized, in the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Okonkwo expresses anger and stress as his wife disobeys him, his son leaves the clan, and when the men in Umuofia stop defending themselves. In all these cases, Okonkwo found everyone weak and feminized, because the Igbo society was very male dominated.
To start, Okonkwo is very dominate over females in the Igbo society, because of a male dominated society. Women are to obey the mens orders, without question, which shows the culture is very male dominated. An author of an academic article …show more content…

Nwoye, whom is Okonkwo’s son, leaves to follow the Christians. Resulting from this, Okonkwo perceives him as weak, because he disobeyed the male dominant Igbo culture. In an academic article by Biodun, he touches on the subject of male dominance playing a part upon Okonkwo finding his son feminine, “We can indeed say that within the gendered scale of valuations and representations by which Okonkwo seeks to establish the greatest possibles distance between himself and his father’s “effeminacy,” his son Nwoye is “feminized”: he refuses Okonkwo’s interpellative call to be a “man” contemptuous of “female” attributes” (Jeyifo 233). Since the the Igbo community is very male dominated, when Nwoye leaves to join the Christians, it is perceived to be a feminist choice. This is also confirmed in the book Things Fall Apart, “A sudden fury rose within him and he felt a strong desire to take up his machete, go to the church and wipe out the entire vile and miscreant gang. But on further thought he told himself that Nwoye was not worth fighting for” (Achebe 152). Chinua Achebe narrates Okonkwo realizing that his son is not worth fighting for, because Nwoye betrayed the Igbo village, making him the equivalent of a woman. Okonkwo therefore betrays his son, because the Igbo society is male

Show More
Related

  • Nwoye Identity

    668 Words  | 2 Pages

    ‘’Nothing pleased Nwoye now more than to be sent for by his mother or another of his father's wives to do one of those difficult and masculine tasks in the home, like splitting wood, or pounding food. On receiving such a message through a younger brother or sister, Nwoye would feign annoyance and grumble aloud about women and their troubles. Okonkwo was inwardly pleased at his son's development, and he knew it was due to Ikemefuna.’’(38) Nwoye wasn’t like the other ibo boys. He didn’t like to do manly things. He was more interested in how things work, the logic behind everything. Okonkwo didn’t like that. He wanted a son that could eventually take on his lead and provide for his family. That is why he liked Ikemefuna better because he showed all the characteristics he wanted in a

    Read More

  • Adapt or Stay The Same?

    1303 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe writes how the arrival of the Christian missionaries in Umuofia intensify Okonkwo's internal conflict between changing as a new person and commit to the new changes by following the missionaries religion (which in the Igbo culture, it’s consider as being weak) vs. going his own way and follow the Igbo religion and be "manly". Okonkwo was a respected and honored man who had a lot of prosperity, but sadly his choice at the end of the book was to commit suicide. His choice had an negative impact on his clan because people look up to Okonkwo as an exemplary to the Igbo clan. Okonkwo find himself unable to adapt to the changing times as the white man comes to live among the Umuofians. As it becomes clear that you need to change to adapt to the changing society or fight for how it was before, Okonkwo realizes that he no longer can compliance the missionaries’ regulations and can’t do nothing about it, realize he can no longer can be able to function within his changing society.

    Read More

  • Notion of Balance in Things Fall Apart by Achebe

    1625 Words  | 4 Pages

    Okonkwo, the main character of the book, was born the son of Unoka, who was a loafer. Unoka was too lazy to go out and plant crops on new, fertile land, and preferred to stay at home playing his flute, drinking palm wine, and making merry with the neighbors. Because of this, his father never had enough money, and his family went hungry. He borrowed much money in order to maintain this lifestyle. Okonkwo perceived this as an imbalance toward the female side in his father's character: staying at home and not using one's strength to provide for the family is what the women do. In reaction, Okonkwo completely rejected his father, and therefore the feminine side of himself. He became a star wrestler and warrior in his tribe and began providing for his family at a very young age, while at the same time starting new farms and beginning to amass wealth. He is very successful, and soon becomes one of the leaders of his tribe and has many wives and children. His big ambition is to become one of the powerful elders of the tribe, for what could be more manly than that?

    Read More

  • Nwoye Quotes In Things Fall Apart

    676 Words  | 2 Pages

    For members of the Ibo tribe, being submissive and respectful to your elders and culture is the only accepted way to live, yet the son of one of the greatest men in Umuofia seems to defy this ideal. Nwoye, the son of Okonkwo, one of the most majestic warriors and farmers in their small village, has never really been attracted to the manly nature and attitudes expected of him. Never being fond of blood and fighting and not wanting to participate in any of the hard work in the household has left Nwoye with a more feminine personality. Not only does he reject the ideas of the Ibo culture, he also accepts those of a white man and lives life like a Westerner. In Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart, Nwoye defies traditional Ibo values by emphasizing the importance of not killing Ikemefuna, highlighting the fact that it is acceptable to convert to Christianity, and not living up to be the manly hero his dad want him to be.

    Read More

  • when a culture falls apart

    519 Words  | 2 Pages

    What initially held the Ibo culture together was their religion and their views on masculinity. Their religion controlled almost every aspect of their life. For example, if a women gave birth to twins they would have to throw them away in the Evil Forest, which the Igbo people believed held evil spirits (62).Their views on masculinity were also very important. A man in their culture needs to be strong and would need to have titles in order to be considered a real man. But Okonkwo’s view of a man were little more extre...

    Read More

  • Analysis of Okonkwo inThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

    714 Words  | 2 Pages

    An extreme contrast of his father, Okonkwo strives to appear as masculine as possible. Even though his traits were already considered very masculine, Okonkwo persistently tries to ensure he is not seen as his definition of weak, more so in the presence of his family then others, in an attempt for his sons to act masculine as well. However, not all agree with his interpretation of manliness, such as his son Nwoye and his friend Obierika, as both did not agree with Okonkwo’s actions when he killed the boy Ikemefuna, who viewed Okonkwo as a father, to not appear weak in front of others. Nevertheless, Okonkwo’s true masculinity is still shown throughout the book, such as when he far...

    Read More

  • Chinua Achebe as the Madwoman in the Attic

    909 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...exiled to his motherland. Uchendu, his uncle, notices Okonkwo's grief and powerfully explains to Okonkwo how he should view his exile: "A man belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland. Your mother is there to protect you. And that is why we say that Mother is Supreme”. The only credit and fulfilment these women enjoy is motherhood. They receive respect and love from their children. They are strong for their children. Women are viewed to be very gentle and caring. They are expected to take care of their children with the best of their ability. Women are trusted totally by their children. This honorable portrayal of women is used by Achebe to identify women's role in the Ibo society. This portrayal is necessary to show that women indeed play an important role in society.

    Read More

  • Okonkwo's Loyalty

    790 Words  | 2 Pages

    Okonkwo rejects his children because of his insecurity of the clan’s opinion. He values strength and masculinity. Not only does Okonkwo not see these qualities in his son, Nwoye, but also recognizes how he is weak and feminine. Okonkwo is so ashamed of his own child that he “will not have a son who cannot hold up his head in the gathering of the clan. I would sooner strangle him with my own hands” (33). Okonkwo’s uncertainty of clan’s opinion causes him to make drastic statements, such as threatening to murder his own child, in order to prove himself worthy of the society. Okonkwo would rather not have a son than have one who would tarnish his reputation. As a result, he repudiates his own son. When Okonkwo is explaining to Obeirka about his disappointments with his children, he reveals his grief about Ezinma’s gender when he states his “children do not resemble me […] If Ezinma had been a boy I would have been happier. She has the right spirit” (66). Although Ezinma has all of the masculine characteristics Nwoye lacks, she is a girl. Okonkwo cannot accept his daughter because women are inferior to men in the Ibo culture. Thus, Ezinma’s masculine traits are worthless. The complications of Ezinma’s gender that e...

    Read More

  • Igbo Gender Roles

    1404 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Umuofia, women are seen as the weaker sex and men are seen as the superior sex, which keeps a balance that is needed for this society to thrive. These gender roles are essential to the Igbo culture because it is the very core of what their society is based upon. Men are the strong ones that provide for the family and women are the weaker ones whose main role is to bear children. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo lives to play out his masculine role and intimidate his wives, as shown in the quote, "'He belongs to...no more questions." (2.14) When one of his wives even dare question him, he

    Read More

  • Essay on Okonkwo and Nwoye in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    1451 Words  | 3 Pages

    Two passages from the story Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, provide the reader with a more profound understanding of Okonkwo, and his son Nwoye.  The two do not have a good relationship and it becomes worse as the story progresses.   Throughout the book the two become increasingly distant and it is apparent that Okonkwo is very disappointed in his son.  After the death of Ikemefuna, Nwoye begins to question many aspects of his life, especially religion.  As the Christian missionaries spend more time with the members of the village, Nwoye becomes interested in this new religion.  The first passage I have chosen discusses Nwoye’s feelings about Christianity.

    Read More

  • Okonkwo In Things Fall Apart

    667 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the novel Things Fall Apart the author, Chinua Achebe, set the novel in Nigeria with the participation of the Igbo People. The main character of the novel is Okonkwo, he was a very hard working man, who was respected by everyone in the villages. Unfortunately he gets to one point in his life where he did everything to not be seen as weak as his father. His father was a lazy man who never gained respect in the villages. He was always in debt and never paid it back. There was one time when someone called his father “agbala” that means “woman” and that's where Okonkwo started to work harder and do anything because he didn't want to be called woman. Okonkwo is a tragic hero because his flaw is the fear of being considered weak like his father.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Culture In Things Fall Apart

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Even Okonkwo himself became very fond of the boy – inwardly of course…there was no doubt that he liked the boy. Sometimes when he went to big village meetings or communal ancestral feasts he allowed Ikemefuna to accompany him, like a son, carrying his stool and his goatskin bag. And, indeed, Ikemefuna called him father”(4.7). It’s not clear as to why Okonkwo would take Nwoye’s only pride and joy away. This shows how selfish he is, he only cared about reputation and status rather than how someone felt. This grew their father son relationship downwards. Nwoye knew the consequences of combining with the newly arrived “white man”. He was aware of how unstable their relationship was and by him converting, Okonkwo probably wouldn’t even claim him as his son. Nwoye was standing up as a real man and by this time of the plot he didn’t care what anyone thought. He wanted to explore and learn new ways on his own. “I am one of them,” replied Nwoye.“How is your father?” Obierika asked, not knowing what else to say.“I don’t know. He is not my father,” said Nwoye, unhappily”(16). Nwoye didn’t want to be associated with any negative energy, and that meant not associating with his father or his culture 's ways. The Igbo culture was harsh and a lot of deathly punishment went into it. Nwoye didn’t fit in from the beginning, he was more of a peaceful soul who was never out to kill or do harm. If Nwoye kept abiding by the laws, he wouldn’t be presenting the “Real

    Read More

  • Gender Roles in Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe

    2265 Words  | 5 Pages

    Upon an initial reading of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, it is easy to blame the demise of Okonkwo’s life and of the Umofia community on the imperialistic invasions of the white men. After all, Okonkwo seemed to be enjoying relative peace and happiness before then. He did have a few mishaps; one of them resulted in him being exiled for eight years. Nonetheless, he returned to his home town with high spirits and with prospects of increased success. However, everything has changed. The white men have brought with them a new religion and a new government. Okonkwo’s family falls apart. The men in his village lose their courage and valor; they do not offer any resistance to the white men. Consequently, Okonkwo kills himself in disgrace and Umofia succumbs to the white men. However, the white men are not the only people responsible for demise of Umofia. The Igbo culture, particularly their views on gender roles, sows the seed of their own destruction. By glorifying aggressive, manly traits and ignoring the gentle, womanly traits, Umofia brings about its own falling apart.

    Read More

  • Masculinity vs. Femininity in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    1274 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ung lazy and reliant on the whites. When Okonkwo's own son joins the church he must have felt a great sadness that his son was weak in mind, and would become softened by the white culture. Feminine versus masculine traits is the controversy in this instance. Okonkwo has built his whole life on the masculinity of the tribe. The masculinity is what helps the tribe survive.

    Read More

  • Things Fall Apart Book Report- 11 Pages Long. I Got An A

    2728 Words  | 6 Pages

    Nwoye – In the eyes of Okonkwo, his oldest son, Nwoye, is weak and lazy from an early age. He dislikes his father because he beats him so often to make him more masculine. After the death of Ikemefuna, Nwoye becomes very depressed and later converts to the Christian faith, which makes Okonkwo disown him.

    Read More

More about Things Fall Apart Feminist Criticism Essay

Open Document