Juno- Tortoise (& other tales and proverbs)

Chinebe Achebe is an Nigerian Author that includes little snippests of proverbs that you stumble upon when reading the book. Although it may seem like that proverbs are confusing and let alone outlandish when reading. They tend to draw you away from the book, then into it. However, this proverbs seems to give an underlining effect to the story when read. In fact, Achebe tells a proverb of a tortoise and a bird. The tortoise being married ( of course..?)is so greedy that he wants all the food for himself. However, the birds trick him by making him say, "For all of you ", as a custom in order for them to serve you when I Have eaten. ( pg.98) Of course when i first read this story i was complete confused. But, the proverb seemed to forshawdow that other tribes, and how their traditions are important to become accustom too. The tribe of Umofia host feast for wedding, deaths, whatever. Yet, their customs are to celebrate the cause together in unity.

Achebe's underlineing proverbs almost give a sneak peek to where he is going next, and how it will all come together , or APART ( hint HInt ) in the end.Another proverb captolizes a man who is a wrestler and has "defeated hundreds of cats, and has never fallin once, sending him word to fight for us once" (pg. 51) That later tells us how Oknoknos masculitity tested when his daughter is taken away, while he waits with his machete. Achebe's proverbs seems to embellish the fact that some of the traditions and cultures do not make sense, just like the complexity of the characters, thier beliefs, and thier actions. Achebe seems to almost puts a facade on the book, while he trys to teach his own lesson of what life should be like.

Juno- Enzima

In the story of Things Fall Apart Enzima plays the role of the innocent love child. Enzima is the only child of Oknokwo's and his second wife Ekwefi. The fact that Ekwefi lost all of her nine children except for Enzima, makes Enzima that much more loved, and the center of attention. However, she is apple of her mother's eye, her father Oknokwo does not even give her the tenderness that a father usually shows to his daughter. Therefore, i believe the high preistess' took her away purposely. Earlier in the story Oknoko disturbed the gods by breaking a law during the Week of Peace. Since Enzima is the only surviving child, the ideas bloosem that she was the perfection to his disfunctioned life. On page 101, the chief priestess' is depicted as carrying Enzima on her back as if she id royality. Then tells her that a mother never lets her child know the long distance. She then faintly says to Enzima, "Don't cry, my daughter,".."lest Agabla be angry with you." Almost signifying the idea of death, that Enzima will miss her home and her material things, but she is meant for more, as they travel in the moonlight.

Enzima's role in the story can be religiousy related to how Pharoah in the old testmant of Exodus refuses to let the Hebrew people go. Therefore, the ten plaques start to commence, and that last plaque was the taking of the first born son, or daughter in this case. Since Oknokwo did not please the Gods, it seems that are punishig him with his own plaques that he cannot even control. But, unlike the Chrisitian stand point, the high priestess agrees to bring her back, however, i am sure Oknokwo must change his ways, completely. Enzima seems to play a big part in the story now, because she is the only air to Oknokwo, even though she is not a man.

Justice-Okonkwo as a Man

Okonkwo as a Man

Okonkwo is one who spends all the days of his life working hard, no only to succeed for himself, but his family also. He is both stern and strong, both physically and emotionally. In his world, failure is not an option. In the beginning, thet start off mentioning his father Unoka, who was considered a complete failure. Because of this, Okonkwo lived in fear of failure and weakness. "Okonkwo was ruled by one passion-to hate everything his father Unoka had loved, [gentleness and kindness]." (page 13 This both contributes and takes away from his traits as a man. It is more than just ok to be focused on success and making a good name for himself, both of which he has done. However, as a human being, Okonkwo strkes me as the type of person who comes off as slighlty unapproachable and stiff. Through his conversations and thought, he seems like he has never cracked a smile in his life. He is careful not to show any emotion towards his family or anyone else. Sure he is well known and looked up to for things such as being the best wrestler, but whats all those great things if no one wants to be around you. In class we have already predicted that his life was headed for a downfall. Because of the kind of person he is, I think he may find it difficult to deal with it for one of two reasons. He may not get that much help from others, or his pride will get in the way of him asking for help from anyone.

Justice-Okonkwo as a Father

Okonkwo as a Father

Okonkwo overall has the greatest intentions as a father. Everything he does is to ensure that his children grow with many more opportunities than he had. He works them all hard so that they are strong and build good work ethic. "…Okonkwo did not have the same the start in life which many young men had…inspite of these disadvantages, he had begun even in his father’s lifetime to lay the foundations of a prosperous future." (page 18) With Nwoye, he seems to be slightly disappointed that he may not be turning out just like him. However those around him and us as readers can see that he just hasn't give him enough time. I feel however, that he isn't putting pressure on him because he thinks he's a failure, but because he lives in that constant fear of it. Ezinma appears as is "favorite" child only because he feels secure in her intelligence and bright future that she seems to have coming. Although he comes off as distant from his children, and as if he has no connection to them at all, there are times when his affection and love for them shows slightly even though he'd rather not have his feelings revealed. "Okonkwo was especially fond of Ezinma...But his fondness only showed on very rare occassions." (page 44) The fact that he cared was clearly evident in chapter 11, when he left into the night to seek after Ezinma, who left with Chielo, and Ekwefi who followed. He was truly, at that moment, concerned for his wife and young child. "Okonkwo was feeling tired, and sleepy, for although nobody else knew it, he had not slept all last night. He had felt very anxious but did not show it." (page 112) This quote is in reference to the night the night before following Ezinma and Ekwefi, and it had then been time for him to got to Obierka's. all in all, I think he truly loves his children and is a great father, however shows it in a way that they will be able to better appreciate when they are older. He shows a majority of his affection, through his dedication to their success and individual futures.