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Analysis Of Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

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Analysis Of Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe
“Things Fall Apart was written by’ Chinua Achebe in 1958. Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian but brought up in a Christian household. While in college Achebe studied history and theology from which he developed his passion for Indigenous Nigerian culture. After reading books that showed just how backwards and primitive African cultures are he published ‘Things Fall Apart’” (SparkNotes Editors). The book showed the “culture clashes between the Native African culture and Traditional White culture of the missionaries” (Bio.). The African society was shown for what it was in the eyes of an actual African. However, the book focussed more on the superiority of men than the women did. They have been neglected and not given the value they deserved.
Women
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However, this minor respect is only given to the first wives. In normal circumstances they are all treated as “mere objects being tossed around and to show the power of their husbands on the social ladder” (hubpages) as each additional wife showed more power. Some of these aspects show a better light for the women and present them as something better than what they are.
The role of a mother is quite important in the book, although one may not see it at first glance. The mothers “educate their kids through storytelling and through that the children learn important lessons about the human condition, taught the Ibo creation myths, such as the birds and the tortoise story, and master the art of communication by retelling the stories themselves. This learning stage is vital for the kids to function within the Igbo society”
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Only if one were to “delve deeper into the story would they find roles signifying the importance of women such as the goddess, priestess, educator, and more” (DRDEREKBARKER). When we put aside the dominance of men and concentrate on the significance of women, we can see that they “are truly a source of strength and sustenance for their families. They nurture and care for their husbands and children and therefore sustain the very life of the tribe” (enotes). Without women, there would be no harmony between tribes, families and the society as they are the ones to instil the values of life within the child to carry on within future

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