How Does Okonkwo's View Towards Women
The village views women as strong and powerful, which is contrary to how Okonkwo sees women. The most powerful person in Umuofia was Chielo, the high priestess who spoke for their god Agbala, and was highly respected by all. When possessed by Agbala, “Chielo’s voice rose again [...], and Ekwefi recoiled, because there was no humanity there. (11.62)” She was revered and not questioned by any. When there is a trial in the town about a man beating his wife it is settled that he must repay the bride’s family and ask her to return to him. The Evil Forest says “It is not bravery when a man fights with a woman. (10.26)” This trial takes place just days after Okonkwo beats his second wife, Ekwefi. The juxtaposition between these two events is only
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There had been an old couple in the village, and the husband “could not do anything without telling [his wife]. (8.43)” When he heard this, Okonkwo said that he “thought he was a strong man in his youth, (8.44)” and Ofoedu, whom Okonkwo was talking to says, “He was indeed. (8.45)” Okonkwo believes that conferring with women is emasculating but Ofoedu contradicts him. Later in the story Okonkwo is speaking with Uchendu and he is told, “ ‘when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland. Your mother is there to protect you. She is buried there. And that is why we say that mother is supreme.’ (14.25-32)” It is part of Igbo culture that mothers protect their children with their life. That is not weak in any way. Uchendu knows how Okonkwo feels about women and “it is to Okonkwo that [he] primarily wish[es] to speak to. (14.24)” Uchendu is Okonkwo’s uncle, his mother’s brother, and so speaks for Okonkwo’s mother. He is trying to guide and protect Okonkwo, which - if Okonkwo had listened - could have saved Okonkwo’s life. Despite all the signs that Okonkwo encounters he does not question or change his viewpoint on femininity. Within Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe there is a theme of gender characteristics as demonstrated by Okonkwo’s negative view of women, which was instituted by his father Unoka, and which contrasts Umuofia’s
There had been an old couple in the village, and the husband “could not do anything without telling [his wife]. (8.43)” When he heard this, Okonkwo said that he “thought he was a strong man in his youth, (8.44)” and Ofoedu, whom Okonkwo was talking to says, “He was indeed. (8.45)” Okonkwo believes that conferring with women is emasculating but Ofoedu contradicts him. Later in the story Okonkwo is speaking with Uchendu and he is told, “ ‘when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland. Your mother is there to protect you. She is buried there. And that is why we say that mother is supreme.’ (14.25-32)” It is part of Igbo culture that mothers protect their children with their life. That is not weak in any way. Uchendu knows how Okonkwo feels about women and “it is to Okonkwo that [he] primarily wish[es] to speak to. (14.24)” Uchendu is Okonkwo’s uncle, his mother’s brother, and so speaks for Okonkwo’s mother. He is trying to guide and protect Okonkwo, which - if Okonkwo had listened - could have saved Okonkwo’s life. Despite all the signs that Okonkwo encounters he does not question or change his viewpoint on femininity. Within Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe there is a theme of gender characteristics as demonstrated by Okonkwo’s negative view of women, which was instituted by his father Unoka, and which contrasts Umuofia’s