TFAJournal+Jennifer+S.

Journal Entry (ch. 3-6)

A- (text-world) In "Things Fall Apart," Umuofia is a patriarchal society. A patriarchal society is a society where men dominate. Men have almost all the power to govern the society. In the book, it seems like it wasn't considered awkward for Okonkwo to beat his wives. For instance, in chapter four, the only reason Okonkwo's two wives try to stop him from beating Ojiugo, his youngest wife, was because it was the sacred week. Also, the only reason he was punished was because he broke the Peace of Ani. This suggests that Okonkwo wouldn't be punished at any other time for beating his wife. Most societies today are patriarchal and most instances of domestic violence involve abuse against the wife. The only difference is that in our society, it wouldn't be as easily accepted.

B- The culture of the Umuofia clan was very interesting. They had their own strong and organized culture. They celebrated many significant days like the "Week of Peace," the sacred week and I think men had most of the power. On pg 37, the last paragraph talks about a festival called "Feast of the New Yam." Okonkwo's wives drew colored patterns of white, green, and yellow on the huts. Also they drew beautiful black patterns on their stomachs and backs. They also shaved patterns into children's hair. Family members were invited too. From this paragraph, I noticed that men nearly didn't do any work. I think this shows that the Umuofia clan is patriarchal.

C- Qs: What are some other examples in the book that show patriarchal power?

Journal Entry (ch.7-8)

A- (text-self) When Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, he cut him without any hesitation. If I were him, I would never do something like that. I would ignore the Oracle and protect Ikemefuna from dying. Okonkwo listens to the Oracle too blindly. The reason why Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna was because he didn't want to be seen as weak in front of his people. He values masculine power more than anything, so he probably wanted to show his strength through killing someone he loved. Even if the oracle told me I had to kill my family or someone I loved, I wouldn't do it if I felt that it was wrong. I wouldn't do it to show my strength either.

//B- (pg.// 68)

C- Why is Okwonko obsessed with masculinity?

Journal Entry (ch. 9-11)

A- (text-world) As I mentioned before, the Igbo society seems like a patriarchal society. In chapters 9-11, it shows more examples of the relationship between men and women. It seems like women are very cautious and careful with men. They are not afraid of them though. Also they all had similar minds that they understood each other really well. They were so different from men that it felt as if there were another society with only women. For instance, Okonkwo's wives often tried to protect one another from his anger. They would probably have similar thoughts towards Okonkwo and if they talked together, they would mention something all common.

B- Why does Okonkwo consider women as weak? If he thinks women are weak and beats his wives, why does he like his daughter?

C- I answered Jinhee's question

Journal Entry (ch. 12-14)

A- (text-self) In previous chapters that I read, I noticed that Okonkwo was always purposely and intentionally trying so hard to show off his masculinity. He was obsessed with masculinity that he did many blameworthy and irresponsible things like killing Ikemefuna. It seemed like Okonkwo himself was leading to the destruction of his family or even the clan. However, in ch.12, it showed more of Okonkwo's true feeling inside. Okonkwo was actually worried when he thought that Chielo and Ezinma wasn't back yet. He didn't show any sign of being worried, but he did eventually walked to Oracle's shrine. He also visited the caves too. He realized that he was getting weak because he hesitated a little before walking up to Oracle's shrine. But when he found out that the shrine and caves were all empty, he met Ekwefi. From this story, I learned that Okonkwo wasn't only cruel and brutal. He still had responsibility towards his family and cared about them. If I was Okonkwo, I would think that the meaning of better leader is definitely not showing off my masculinity (if I have one), but care for other people and love my family more than anything else. Also I would absolutely not kill anyone.

B- (prediction) Okonkwo got exiled from his village, and was forced into his motherland. He can't accept his own troubles since he has been so successful unlike his father. He avoids to show the weak and soft side of himself. Also he is not quite adjusting himself to the new environment. I think later, he will eventually become like his father begging for help. His father was the one who he hated the most and who he really didn't want to be, however I think he can't run away from his own situation and collapse like his father.

C- Is Okonkwo afraid of showing his weakness only because of his father? Just because he doesn't want to be like his father?

Journal Entry (end of Part II)

A- (text-self) In chapter 17 and 18, the missionaries came and tried to build a church in the Evil Forest. If I were one of the villagers looking at what they were doing, I would be surprised and outraged because first, the missionaries went into the Evil Forest and built the church. I would have probably thought the missionaries couldn't go into the Evil Forest, but they did. Second, I would be outraged because they are trying to convert us into Christians while we have our own religion. That means, they are saying what we believe in is wrong. Also, I think that the missionaries should get kicked out since we have the right to keep our own religion and territory.

B- Okonkwo has changed because in the beginning he didn't show emotion towards anything and he only wanted to show masculinity. For instance, in chapter 7, Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, the boy whom he really admired, just to show that he's not weak. However, in chapter 12, Okonkwo risked appearing weak in front of others by looking for his daughter, Ezinma. In Okonkwo's mind, he always had to show his strength to other people. **//It was always masculine strength in front of his wives, masculine strength in front of his children, and masculine strength in front of the other villagers.//** Before, he had no problem trying to look strong but now, he can't stop himself from showing his softer side. Even though, Ezinma is only a girl, Okonkwo shows that he really values her. He thought femininity equaled weakness, but he still risked a great deal in order to find his favorite child who happens to be female.

C- How can we see that Okonkwo is becoming like his father? Where can we see that in the book?

Journal Entry (book finished)


 * Did Okonkwo make the right decision? (Did he have any other options? What should he have done?)

I think that Okonkwo didn't make the right choice by killing himself. Committing suicide was not the best decision because he should have considered the welfare of the village and his family. If he is dead, he can neither provide for them nor help them. Okonkwo fear weakness more than anything therefore when he felt like he was losing control and couldn't do anything, he decided to take the easy way out. When Okonkwo killed the messenger, I thought that it was the same action as killing Ikemefuna. He killed Ikemefuna for no reason but to show off his masculine power. Similarly, people would think that Okonkwo killed the messenger with the hope that he might recover his original masculinity. Committing suicide is an act of defeat not of showing strength. That's why it is ironic that Okonkwo chose to die in such a disgraceful way. People cannot even touch his body or bury him because it was a sin to commit suicide. Instead of committing suicide, Okonkwo could have negotiated with people (commissioner) and he could have provided a better example for his people by remaining strong in the face of obstacles.