James+Ch.+15-19

These five chapters are the most significant chapters as well as the climax of the story--when things really start to fall apart--as many events take place. One of the most significant event in the chapters was the introduction of white missionaries and Christianity. As a Christian myself, the five chapters were much more intriguing than any of the previous chapters; I was able to see the different perspectives the indigenous had in regard of the new religion. In addition, reading about how the villagers reacted to the introduction of Christianity and the white men was quite similar to the religious issues right now. How the villagers disrespected another religion's beliefs and traditions, threw them the Evil Forest, wishing they would die soon and didn't even allowed women to get fresh water seems very selfish and remote to us, but it is actually happening all the time in Korea as well as the rest of the world. Recently, there was an issue about many Korean soccer players praying to God after scoring goals. Of course, these moments were broadcasted and many people--majority of them Buddhist--almost sued the KFA (Korea Football Association) for such religious acts. Although it might sound unbelievable, majority of Koreans are Buddhist. Obviously, we don't see them much in Seoul or Bun Dang. Getting frustrated at players just because of religious matters and conflicts are definitely not generous or understanding. Even right now in the world, people have deadly wars and battles just because of their differences in their beliefs and gods. Pouring acidic liquids on people, bombing and massacring in order to promote their gods and beliefs just seem foolish and inhumane now. Now that I think of it, we were foolish making fun of the Mormons and their daughter-marrying-queer-tradition as we were no better than the rude and audacious villagers. Paragraph looking at the character of Okonkwo in Part II - is he changing? same person we saw in Part I?: __Manliness and work are his only occupation, manliness is what controlled his life, manliness was the sole reason of killing Ikemefuna.__ Even after his years with Uchendu, who respects women and their superiority, Okonkwo seems to be too concerned with manliness and strength. When Uchendu explained the superiority of women to Okonkwo in the previous chapter, Okonkwo seemed to respect Uchendu's thoughts and beliefs. They were reasonable after all as Okonkwo was stuck in the same situation: returning back to his motherland for refugee. However, in the later chapters, we can see the aggressive and bellicose nature of Okonkwo again as the village argues about the white men and their new religion. Unlike other villagers, Okonkwo argued for a violent action against the Christians and drive them out of the town. As many villagers and elders disagree, Okonkwo thinks about his land, Umuofia, and their strength and manliness compared to this feminine and weak village; these thoughts and actions show that he is still obsessed with manliness and strength. Another event in the chapters that prove that Okonkwo is still violent and frustrated is when he chokes Nwoye, who just came back after listening to the Christian sermon. Lack of understanding and reluctance to communicate states that Okonkwo is still his old self: manly and strong, he thinks. Interpretive/Evaluative Question related to one of your two paragraphs for this journal entry:** "God is dead". Do you believe that there are God / gods; don't you ever wonder if they were made up for different purposes? If there are no God or gods, do you think it's necessary to create them?
 * Paragraph of Text-to-Text/Self/World Connection: