TFAJournal+Claire





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Interesting questions, Claire. I wonder too how much abuse can someone take before they get out of that situation? How feasible is it for a woman to leave her household in that culture and time??? But perhaps she's never considered leaving. Maybe she thinks she deserved it, that she was to blame. That's a tough question to answer. I was also interested by your surmising over Inkemefuna's influence on Okonkwo. It their relationship close enough to alter the other? Is anyone capable to altering Okonkwo's character?

- Ms. Nordahl





MINAE KWON RESPONSE I believe that Ezinma has two unique qualities that make Okonkwo reveal his caring and loving side. Ezinma first of all is very lively and very hard working which are traits that Okonkwo absolutely love. Ezinma brought fish to Okonkwo, saying that "he hasn't eaten in two days, and that he must eat some food."(63) Consequently Okonkwo thought "she should have been a boy"(64) instead of a girl due to her sharpness and diligence. Especially considering the fact that Ezinma is a girl, and can do better than most of Okonkwo's male offspring brings a huge significance in her that could help Okonkwo realize the equality of men and women.

Secondly, Ezinma is a very special case in terms of his second wife's children. All of her other numerous children before Ezinma have all died within a couple months while Ezinma was the only exception that occurred. According to the legend, the //ogbanje// took pity on Ekwefi and decided to stay. This makes Ezinma all the more precious and special.

Yunji Lee's Response Since Ezinma was Okonkwo's favorite child (seems like), because in the book Okonkwo doesn't like Nwoye's personality he is like Okonkwo's father. But Ezinma was not, even though she was girl he was like father. Except that Ezinma is girl, so Okonkwo wished she is son. Also Ezinma was Ekwefi's first and it may last child to be alive, the past year she borned many child but they died. However Ezinma didn't even though she has very weak body. So their parent really cared her very much, so if she dies then their effort would become nothing. Therefore, Okonkwo showed his other face - caring father to Ezinma.