Journal+Entry+4+E.Flores

= Chapters 9 - 11 =


 * Text to Text**

In chapters 9-11 of //Things Fall Apart//, I have noticed that the voice/writing style of when Ekwefi was following Chielo and Ezinma in the moonless night is similar to the writing style/voice of some scary stories I have read. This section of the story in //Things Fall Apart// wasn't scary, however, but it's just the writing style and voicing that captivated me and made me remember the story //Night of the Living Dummy// by R.L. Stine. In //Night of the Living Dummy// there is a few similar sections that include the main character following a living dummy at night, except there's a moon, and she is doing whatever she can to keep quiet and conceal herself within the bushes and trees she comes by. She is following him to see what he is up to and also find out his purpose for causing all the mischief he has been blaming her with. There have also been a few times where the dummy was suspicious of being followed, which was very suspenseful, but didn't always quite catch her. Both stories use the setting of outdoors and also use the scariness of the night, only in //Things Fall Apart// there is no moon for most of the time Ekwefi was following Chielo and Ezinma while in //Night of the Living Dummy// the main character and the living dummy were in a moonlit night. Both stories also use the details of the environment of the outside; full of dew, dampness, and the sounds of insects ticking. There is also detail of what is seen when there is a moon out, where the followers can barely see the person/thing/people they're following and also tend to describe their surroundings, or what they can see of their surroundings, with the use of the word "loom(ing)", like the looming of the hills in //Things Fall Apart// or the looming of the trees in //Night of the Living Dummy//.


 * Question!**

Since it is unmanly to show any emotion in //Things Fall Apart//, why do you think Okonkwo showed up at the cave, with his machete, where Chielo, Ezinma, and Ekwefi were and even suggested he'd stay to wait for Ezinma while Ekwefi goes home?

Since it is unmanly to show any emotion in //Things Fall Apart//, why do you think Okonkwo showed up at the cave, with his machete, where Chielo, Ezinma, and Ekwefi were and even suggested he'd stay to wait for Ezinma while Ekwefi goes home? I think that Okonkwo is willing lets his guard off when with his family members, especially those whom he care about. Previous chapters have mentioned that Okonkwo has a special liking towards Ezinma and has shown his affection, though he did it in a very overt manner. Though Okonkwo does not like show his emotions in fear of appearing unmanly, he is still a human being with human emotions such as love and care. He probably felt concerned for his favorite daughter and second wife, which led him to show up at the cave of the priestess. Moreover, I think that Okonkwo's affection for Ezinma and Ekwefi may be so great that he does not care if the people whom he loves know that he has feelings (thus making him appear weak) and is willing to let his guard off in front of them.

This is Christine Kim's Response.


 * Resonse**

I responded to __James Kang__'s questionS.


 * Answering the Question!**

In my opinion, even though he does not show emotions outwardly since he thinks it's a sign of weakness, he cares for them inwardly. I think Okonkwo may seem like a ruthless man on the outside, due to the fear of being weak and unmanly, inside of him lays care and love that is unseen, for his family. That's why he had follows Ekwefi all the way to the cave and even offers to stay there all night while Ekwefi goes home. -Jenny Hwang

Okonkwo gave up being virile for Ezinma and Ekwefi and came to the cave owing to his fondness toward his daughter and second wife. Due to the fact that Okonkwo “was specailly fond of Ezinma (44)”- she was taken by Chielo, the oracle, he could not resist himself of protecting his daughter from any kind of danger; his defensive behavior is depicted with the machete that he brought to the cave. He not only adored his daughter, but also cared very much for his second wife as well. By seeing that she even abandoned his first husband for Okonkowo, he might have felt indebted to her. Indeed, Ekwefi had gone through a lot. She even lost ten children, so he appeared to worry about Ekwefi’s ultimate decision in case of Ekwefi’s death. Beside from his tenderness to family members, he came to the cave because he did not want to resemble any of his father’s presence. His father, the indolent human being, did not do anything for his offsprings. Thus, Okonkwo chose to save her daughter from certain danger. -Min Ji Kim