Dialectical Journals- Things Fall Apart
opinionated Essay
2594 words
Dialectical Journals
1. “His fame rested on solid personal achievements.”
Pg. 3 paragraph 1
All fame begins when you do something noticeable. For example, actors and actresses build upon their careers and reputations by achieving excellence in their personal goals, as well as perfecting their public performance.
2. “…It was said that when he slept, his wives and children in his houses could hear him breathe.”
Pg. 4 paragraph 1
One question that comes to mind when I read this is if he alternates between homes on certain days or months. From what I understand, it used to be socially acceptable to have many wives and children, but they all lived together in one home, scattered among different chambers within the house. The use of the word “homes” is what made me wonder.
3. “He always said that whenever he saw a dead man’s mouth he saw the folly of not eating what one had in one’s lifetime.”
Pg. 4 paragraph 2
I think that what the author was trying to imply in this passage was that in his personal experience, he has noticed that many people take many things for granted and that they don’t live their lives according to what they want and need to do. So much is wasted during one’s lifetime, and people just allow their lives to pass them by.
4. “As he broke the kola, Unoka prayed to their ancestors for life and health, and for protection against their enemies.”
Pg. 6 paragraph 5
The impression that I got was that Okoye just came over on a whim. Is it customary to honor and pray to the ancestors whenever you have company; expected or unexpected? This seems awkward.
5. “Okoye was also a musician. He played on the ogene. But he was not a failure like Unoka.”
Pg. 7 paragraph 6
I can compare this selection to my personal life in both the resent and the past. Even though I have many things in common with my friends, I often feel like a failure in comparison to them, as if they are better than I am at things that we do regularly, much like Unoka in comparison to Okoye.
6. “A snake was never called by its name at night, because it would hear.”
Pg. 9 paragraph 2
The act of fear is much more common in the dark. In the dark, people expect things to be lurking around the bend, waiting for someone to summon it. I can relate this selection to my past experiences with my friends. When we were in elementary school, we would go into a dark bathroom and say the name, ...
... middle of paper ...
...hy, disgusting insects. If the villagers knew what the small, disaster-riddled pests were capable of doing, then they would fear the swarm’s return instead of praising and rejoicing it.
25. “My daughter’s suitor is coming today.”
Pg. 65 paragraph 7
Why is a ten-year-old child getting married? Is the “man” also ten years old? Why would an adult want to marry someone who hasn’t even reached adolescence yet? It made sense to them to sell their daughters for marriage once they started menstruating, but why would they sell off a child who probably wouldn’t start to do that for up to two years after the marriage.
26. “You might as well say that the woman lies on top of the man when they are making the children.”
Pg. 74 paragraph 3
This shows that in the days of this book, sex was just for making children; not for fun. Now a day, men like sex in a variety of positions. They often like domineering women who are on the top rather than the bottom. I suppose that back then, the men had little respect for the women so they felt that they should be below them. If they were on top during sex, then the men may feel intimidated by the woman’s strength and be disgusted that they have no shame.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how actors and actresses build upon their careers and reputations by achieving excellence in their personal goals and perfecting their public performance.
- Opines that no matter how good, rich, powerful, or beautiful you may be, there is always someone who is better than you.
- Explains that some people go out and enjoy life, while others just sit inside and do the basic things in order for a successful survival as social and emotional life passes them by.
- Analyzes why yams play such a big part in the story. yams aren't big in america, and we are successful with plantations of many different crops.
- Explains that when they were younger, they used to be so excited about christmas, halloween, and their birthday, but now they feel that they are too mature to care about them.
- Opines that they didn't know that bananas grew on trees. they would like to see a banana tree someday.
- Opines that and the whole story in general are ludicrous and obnoxious.
- Opines that if all men wrestled "professionally" when they were young, why is this wrestling match so interesting and/or special?
- Opines that it makes no sense for them to waste their time talking about whether or not her daughter will "stay." they should follow their silly superstitions and customs so they don't make their dead family members or pretend gods angry.
- Explains why the judges decide when the match is over. the judges could favor one wrestler over the other and just make it so that he wins instead.
- Opines that okonkwo is a tough manly man who stalks and decapitates an innocent man for sport.
- Opines that everyone is unaware of the damage that locusts can cause on crops; their excitement makes them feel as if they are ignorant.
- Opines that in the days of this book, sex was just for making children; not for fun. now a day, men like domineering women who are on the top rather than the bottom.
- Explains that it used to be socially acceptable to have many wives and children, but they all lived together in one home, scattered among different chambers within the house.
- Opines that was trying to imply that many people take many things for granted and don't live their lives according to what they want and need to do.
- Opines that okoye just came over on a whim. is it customary to honor and pray to the ancestors whenever you have company?
- Compares this selection to their personal life in both the resentment and the past. even though they have many things in common with their friends, they often feel like a failure in comparison to them.
- Explains that the act of fear is more common in the dark. people expect things to be lurking around the bend, waiting for someone to summon it.
- Narrates how they felt sympathy for these fictitious characters, even though they couldn't relate to the passage. okonkwo was ruled by one passion.
- Analyzes how okonkwo hated his father, while others despise the fact that they are unable to make their own decisions or feel they have a lack of freedom.
- Explains that many parents can't see that their children really are trying their very best. parents force their kids into working hard, which can drive them into a serious stage of depression or low self-esteem.
- Explains that tradition is celebrated frequently, such as a toad running during evening as opposed to during the daylight hours.
- Opines that okonkwo is a complete slob. he treats his wives and children terribly, yet he still finds it appropriate for them to work for him all the time and to slave in the kitchen everyday and every night.
- Opines that it seems arrogant and ironic when they act like "normal human beings" under that label, when that is what they were all along.
- Compares the story of 'carlos o'brien's' closure to that of marcy, who dies because she is old and needs to eat and live.
- Opines that b is the only choice anyone with a common sense gene would choose. okonkwo told the story of how he had stalked his victim, overpowered him, and obtained his first human head.
- Explains why a ten-year-old child gets married, and why an adult wants to marry someone who hasn't even reached adulthood. it made sense to them to sell their daughters for marriage once they started menstruating.
Related
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- 'Things Fall Apart': An Evaluationanalytical essayThings Fall Apart: An Evaluation In “Things Fall Apart,” Chinua Achebe tells two different stories at the same time. One is of Okonkwo, the villager whose rise to power is halted because of all of his misfortunes. The other is of Okonkwo’s village, Umuofia, and its struggle to hold on to its cultural tradition while facing colonialism from the West. The title, “Things Fall Apart,” describes perfectly what happens to both Okonkwo and his village. Okonkwo’s life falls apart and as a result, he commits suicide by hanging himself. The cultural tradition of Umuofia falls apart, and becomes influenced by the West. In “Things Fall Apart,” Achebe uses Okonkwo and the village’s falling out to show how African culture, as well as other cultures around the world, suffered as a result of Westernization. In the book, Achebe focuses mainly on the character of Okonkwo. Okonkwo’s story follows the general pattern of a Greek tragedy. He experiences many successes in the beginning, but everything eventually comes crashing down on him. His early life is the typical success story. He starts poor, but works hard to earn everyone’s respect. From the beginning he is disgusted with his father. He is a lazy old man who borrows money and never pays it back. Okonkwo realizes that he does not want to be like his father, and it is this hatred that drives him to work hard. After his father’s death, Okonkwo pays off his debts, and starts his long journey to the top of the clan. In a short time, Okonkwo...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" describes okonkwo and his village, umuofia, and its struggle to hold on to its cultural tradition while facing colonialism.
- Narrates how okonkwo's hard work pays off and he earns three out of the four village titles and is recognized as the greatest warrior in umuofia.
- Analyzes how achebe's book, "things fall apart," shows how westernization led to the demise of many ancient cultures.
814 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart Essayanalytical essayIn the novel, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, a cultural clash between Ibo culture and Western culture was assessed through fictional literature. Several characters reacted to this in their unique ways, either by accepting or rejecting European beliefs. However, the character Okonkwo, a proud, strong and well respected warrior in the Igbo Society had a significant reaction to the new culture. When the new, western culture comes to Igbo society, Okonkwo, of Clan Umuofia, responds by using violence as the only choice. This decision carried dire consequences, and lead to Oknonkwo’s death.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" assesses the cultural clash between ibo culture and western culture through fictional literature. okonkwo, a proud, strong and well respected warrior in the igboko society, reacts by using violence as the only choice.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was a strict traditionalist, valuing strength and despising anything he proclaimed as "soft". europeans introduced their religion, christianity, culture, and government, while denouncing the traditional igbo ideas.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's reaction to new culture included abandoning diplomacy and slaughtering europeans and missionaries.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's reaction included the destruction of the christian church, before he slaughtered a missionary or called for the other clans to wage war.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's reaction to the introduction of western ideas into igbo society was a violent one. his clan refused to go to war and he committed suicide by hanging.
736 wordsRead More - The Stubborness of Okonkwoanalytical essayOkonkwo was deeply grieved. And it was not just a personal grief. He mourned for the clan, which he saw breaking up and falling apart, and he mourned for the warlike men of Umofia, Who had so unaccountably become soft like women.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo, a fierce warrior, endures traumatic experiences of conflict from other tribes, dramatic confrontations from within his family, and betrayal by his own tribe.
- Analyzes how okonkwo brought honor to his village by throwing amalizine the cat. the victory brings out hubris, a self-defining trait of him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo wanted his son to be a great warrior like him, but he didn't change to idolize him.
- Narrates how okonkwo's son, isaac, was sent to the new training college for teachers in umuru, and hoped that he would be happy to hear of it.
- Narrates how okonkwo was deeply grieved after being banished from his tribe, which had been converted by the christian missionaries.
- Analyzes how okonkwo feels betrayal for the former members of the tribe because they no longer act like the great warriors that they once were. his inability to conform brings him to suicide.
- Analyzes how okonkwo does not change throughout the novel, despite his experiences, tribal and family, but he remains unchanged in a new time, where change is the only way to be accepted.
389 wordsRead More - Dialectical Journal Chapters 12-18analytical essayDialectical Journal Chapters 12-18 Vocabulary 1. Contemptuously- Showing or expressing disdain or scorn. 2. Prerogative- An exclusive right or privilege.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how their mother shook her head contemptuously as her grandmother lectured her on the way to cook salmon.
- Narrates how they showed off their new prerogatives to their brother when they were 10 years old.
- Explains that they had to stay after school for an hour in order for mrs. logue to elucidate on genetics.
- Analyzes how tom robison's left arm was twelve inches shorter than his right arm, and hung dead at his side.
- Analyzes how atticus proves multiple cases to prove that tom robinson is not guilty. he has a way of keeping his cool and analyzing people just like scout.
- Analyzes how reverend sykes used his pulpit more freely to express his views on individual lapses from grace.
- Analyzes how mayella's face was a mixture of terror and fury when atticus turned away.
- Analyzes how reverend sykes expresses his opinions and views on the actions of others in his community. he does not say anything about tom robinson, reinforcing the idea that he is not guilty.
- Analyzes how atticus uses his questioning skills to convince his peers that he will lose due to rumors and no real evidence, just going along with what everyone else says.
- Analyzes mayella's refusal to speak when atticus begins to ask her questions about her father. she sticks to a silent promise to prove that he is not guilty.
- Analyzes how aunt alexandra stared him to silence. she said it was just a nest of those cunninghams, drunk and disorderly.
- Analyzes how dill brings along an imagination that leaves everything not as obvious as previously thought or bigger than it truly is. most of the people of maycomb have specific expectations, but they are slowly diminished and turn out differently than presumed.
- Opines that gilmer's back stiffened a little, and they felt sorry for him. perhaps they'd better explain something now.
- Analyzes how scout addresses the readers in this situation and is undoubtedly looking back on the past. scout gives the impression that she has developed into a wiser woman who had left her childish ways.
- Analyzes how the man's back was to them, but he had a slight cast in one of his eyes, which was used to his advantage. he was hell on juries and witnesses.
- Analyzes how the cast in mr. gilmer's eye is representative of how you never know what may happen in court, or in many other situations in maycomb.
- Narrates how the class tied eunice ann simpson to a chair and placed her in the furnace room. we forgot her, trooped upstairs to church, and were listening quietly to the sermon when the dreadful banging issued from the radiator pipes.
- Analyzes how daniel's brothers, shadrach and atticus, were tied and thrown into a hot furnace, but survived unharmed because of their faith in god.
- Narrates how the boy squatted down and took him by both shoulders. then he straightened up and waved a big paw.
- Analyzes how scout and jem are helping out atticus and switching the roles. while he is disciplining his children and getting them out of tough situations, they are also helpful to him by taking control of situations
1896 wordsRead More - Dialectical Journal Chapters 19-25analytical essayDialectical Journal Chapters 19-25 Vocabulary 1. Expunge- To strike or blot out; to erase or destroy. 2. Iota- A very small quantity; jot.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that they couldn't feel any more cynical about the way their friend was acting out.
- Analyzes how underwood likened tom's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children.
- Analyzes how mr. underwood's pity for tom when he was shot shows his respectability to atticus and represents a beginning change in society.
- Explains that mayella was the only one in her household that took responsibility for the family, and her father kept himself out of the situation as much as he could.
- Analyzes how mr. gilmer ruins tom's chances of having a fair trial by not letting him speak the truth and saying that the ewells were wrong.
- Analyzes how atticus believes that he has another chance for tom robinson, but was ruled against by most of the population of his town.
- Opines that tom was tired of white man's chances and preferred to take his own.
- Analyzes how the passage reiterates the idea that nothing was truly fair, even when it is supposed to be. while atticus had some hope in others who may believe in equality, tom had given up and realized that life would never be fair to him or any other blacks in their lifetime.
- Analyzes how judge taylor nodded, and atticus did something i never saw him do before or since, in public or private.
- Analyzes how scout uses the words "or since" to reinforce the idea that she is speaking as an older version of herself.
- Analyzes how atticus unbuttoned his vest, loosened his tie, and took off his coat, which was the equivalent of him standing before us stark naked.
- Analyzes how atticus'stripped' down to become more comfortable. jem and scout explain how they never had seen him loosen his work clothes or dress informally.
- Opines that maycomb had lost no time in getting mr. ewell's views on tom’s demise and passing them along through that english channel of gossip, miss stephanie crawford.
- Analyzes how lee refers to the english channel in this passage, which connects and separates great britain from france.
- Opines that one should cry about the simple hell people give other people, without even thinking.
- Analyzes how dill's innocence helps stress the idea that not everything is fair in life, even in court where no matter what is supposed to be fair.
- Explains that the iota of depth in the book made it a hard plot to follow.
- Analyzes how tom robinson was probably the only person who was ever decent to her, but when she stood up she looked at him as if he were dirt beneath her feet.
1924 wordsRead More - Supernatural in American Fictionanalytical essaywhisper or the lonely wood."4 Why? Children will always be afraid of the dark and men will
In this essay, the author
- Opines that ghosts and demons, when truly it is the hidden aspects of its own soul.
- Explains that the ranks of the 'ghost hunters' are growing. this is most likely due to the fact that american
- Explains that the puritans of america's early days didn't understand much about their universe.
- Explains that puritans believe that the forest was "the devil's last preserve."
- Opines that controversial writers continue to crave the mysterious, if not a mystery.
- Analyzes how bryant's poem deals with death, and peace in knowing that no matter where a man ends up, he'll never end up.
- Analyzes how he includes that sense of dread that makes a novel truly terrifying.
- Narrates how henry fleming is fleeing from battle, "the creepers [catch] against his legs [and] cry out."
- Opines that the few that remain are jewels of their own kind in o pioneers!, willa.
- Analyzes how supernatural happenings are described throughout the book.
- Opines that it is thrilling to know that there is still that uncharted territory to discover, that mysterious.
- Analyzes kurth, joel, "interest rises in things that go bump in night."
- Opines that if mortals cannot bear the darkness, they shouldn't go there. if man dislikes black night and yawning chasms, he should seek the light instead.
- Explains that children will always be afraid of the dark and men will shudder at what they do not understand, yet everyone will continue to seek it.
- Explains that people believe in the supernatural because they want to believe, because it makes them happy, even if those beliefs exist against logic or opposing evidence.
- Explains that nasa began using a "super computer" that is intended to pick up signals from any world.
- Explains that many americans have no doubt that aliens exist. this is the result of their belief system.
- Opines that media plays a large role in rousing the public's interest in the fantastic. the novels of anne rice, an gothic-horror writer, appeal to an audience.
- Explains that vampires are victims of the "dark gift"23 of vampirism, struggling to come to terms with their nature or accepting it and moving on.
- Explains that rice's fans, including rice herself, are deeply fascinated by this "tall, fair-skinned man with a mass of blond hair."
- Explains that stephen king's works have gained a great audience not because of their characters or stories, but because he himself. rice and king, along with other writers, journalists, and novelists, serve to bring the supernatural to their fans.
- Analyzes how betty, and her niece, abigail, dance and "conjure up spirits" with his slave girl, tituba, "the rumor of witchcraft [spreads] all about."
- Analyzes how reverend parris calls on rev. hale, who is an expert in the "demonic arts," to evaluate the situation.
- Analyzes the puritan era of the scarlet letter by nathaniel hawthorne, which does not deal so much with witches as it does with the black man.
- Narrates how dimmesdale is discovered and forced to wear a scarlet letter a on her dress for the rest of her life. soon mr. prynne returns to discover all of this.
- Explains that mistress hibbins, the town witch, often dances in the forest with the devil. hester answers no, but this situation presents the stereotypical witch that many puritans feared.
- Analyzes how dimmesdale, in all of his guilt, sees the meteor streak across the sky as "an immense letter... a marked out in line of dull red light."
- Opines that with the age of reason on the horizon in the late 18th century-early nineteenth century, "the area of the unknown [is] steadily contracting," but "it has always existed."
- Analyzes how irving's "rip van winkle" and "the devil and tom walker" are chilling folk tales about the supernatural.
- Compares sleepy hollow and herman melville's moby dick, which is not outright supernatural, but gives off an eerie feeling. h.p. lovecraft once wrote that the test if a story is truly unearthly and strange is whether or not there be excited in the reader
- Analyzes how mark twain's the adventures of huckleberry finn tells the story of a 'white trash' boy and runaway slave and their escape to freedom.
- Analyzes how huck's superstitions are not based on any real fact. he just believes in them.
- Explains that jim has a five-center piece around his neck because he claims it's the charm the devil gave to him to call witches.
- Analyzes the origin of edgar allan poe's guilt. he never falls into this age of superstitions, which had an "insatiable appetite for wonders."
- Analyzes how poe plunges ahead, writing stories and poems such as "the fall of the house of usher," "ligeia," and "murders in the rue morgue."
- Opines that unnatural musings still find a niche in mortals' minds despite the bloodshed and cannon fire of the civil war. stephen crane writes the red badge of courage.
- Analyzes how henry encounters an eerie sight when he reaches a safe spot. he imagines all sorts of things that the dead man might do.
- Opines that dreaming aids in building up the notion of an unreal or spiritual world. alexandra tapped into the illusion of being lifted and carried by a large, strong, and swift man.
- Analyzes bennett's description of cemeteries as "places for departed souls [and] roving spirits." steinbeck tells the story of a migrant family traveling with the former preacher, jim casy, who is seen by ma and the other women
- Analyzes how he doesn't tell his mother because she's "even more afraid of ghosts than burglars."
- Analyzes how will halloway and jim nightshade try to sell their rods to st. elmo's fire.
- Opines that the supernatural is reflected in the literature produced over the years. from the salem witch trials to psychic hot-lines, americans will always share an enchantment
2924 wordsRead More - Dialectical Journal Chapter 19-22narrative essayI will be telling what basically happens in chapters 19 to 22. The first thing that happens is when Sal tries to warn her dad that Mrs. Cadaver that she’s a murderer. But the dad thought it was a joke and thought it was like catching a fish in the air.The next day at school, Mr. Birkway was talking about greek and at the end of the class he told Sal to stay after school. Mr. Birkway told her to write a mini journal about something that interested herself. After leaving school, Sal, Phoebe, Mary Lou, and Ben were going to Phoebe’s house but see’s the Lunatic, but luckily they were close to her house. Then she tells her mom but didn’t look worried but Phoebe said if she sees him once more she’s going to call the police and then Sal leaves. After she
In this essay, the author
- Narrates how sal tries to warn her dad that mrs. cadaver is a murderer, but the dad thought it was like catching fish in the air.
- Narrates how phoebe and sal were about to go to school when she found her mom's old sweater and told sal to come for dinner. she had enough of her missing mom and was looking for clues.
436 wordsRead More - Oasis Dialectical Journalnarrative essay[i]Be yourself, honey. Go out there, and try to make friends![/i] The phrase her mother uttered to her [i]every time[/i] she went out, whether it was to the grocery store running errands or hanging out with friends at the movies. As if Oasis wasn’t able to make friends, and that wasn’t entirely the case. She can, she is just- She prefers listening than talking, and rather being present than immersing herself into social activity. She had grown quite used to be being alone, and she didn’t mind it one bit. Infact, [i]it was preferred.[/i] Her green hazel hues brushed through familiar faces, greeting them with a soft smile. It was in best interest for herself not to approach them. She wasn’t too close with anyone nor she didn't want to burden
In this essay, the author
- Narrates how oasis' mother urged her to be self-aware and make friends, but she didn't mind being alone. she knew her place in the social kingdom.
316 wordsRead More - Walt Dialectical Journalanalytical essay1. Both Walt and Chris liked to “call the shots”. On page 105 “Taking control is something Walt does automatically, reflexively.” Both Father and son want to control their own lives and they don’t like to be told what to do.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that walt and chris liked to "call the shots" and that taking control is something walt does automatically, reflexively. both father and son want to control their own lives and don't like being told what to do.
- Analyzes how chris adored being alone, away from other people, and was fearless even when he was little. walt was brilliant, while chris came into the world with unusual gifts.
154 wordsRead More - Rhapsody In The Rain Dialectical Journalanalytical essayThe passage above is on page 240 within chapter 28. Earlier on in this chapter Nomi describes what has happened, regarding the fact that her father just left. Not only has her father left now but her mother, sister, boyfriend, and best friend, have all left leaving her all alone. On top of that all, she has now been excommunicated from her small town. The beginning of this chapter introduces another obstacle she will have to over come, and this passage is the beginning of Nomi understanding that she has to now step up to the plate and be responsible for what is going on around her. This passage changes the way the reader may have though she would react in this situation. I though that she would have had a break down or ran away just like everyone else did. But the quote has a very clam tone which led me to eventually think other wise.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the passage above is on page 240 within chapter 28. the passage introduces another obstacle that nomi will have to overcome.
- Analyzes how nomi questions her father's sanity as she sits in his lawn chair and stairs at the highway. she is focusing on the positives.
- Analyzes how nomi is finally coming to a point where she can accept everything that has happened up to here. she is able to keep herself sane and keep her hopes high by knowing her and her father will always be connected, even if they are not together.
468 wordsRead More