TFA+JaneC+4

a) Paragraph of Text-to-Text/Self/World Connection

From the chapters 9-11, I noticed that there are more unique traditions in African society. For example, it has the clan’s ancestral spirits, //egwugwu,// emerged from a secret house into which no woman is allowed to step. The fact that the no woman can step into it again forms the sexism that is commonly used in this book. Also, from the fact that the members of this group are secretive, included with men and decide the decisions which common people can't solve forms the idea of government. For example it made the fair and right decision that the husband should never beat his wife again and to live under the wife's favor. Moreover, the distinct tradition that made Ekwefi and Okonkwo nervous was when Chifelo kidnapped their daughter under the name of god. I thought that Okonkwo must stop Chifelo because whenever he listened to the Oracle or Agabala, he regreted and depressed like the incident after he killed Ikemefuna. Long time ago, i heard someone talking about the women who lifted up the car in order to save her children. Even though I laughed hard, thinking that it is all jokes, now I can understand that the parents have ultimate power,passion and love to save their own children. As all the parents do for their own children, I believe that they have the rights to protect their children and stay together.

b) An interpretive or evaluative question stemming from the first paragraph of your journal. Do you think that Okonkwo is the member of Eguwugu, then why?

I Responded in Jinhee's question! - __Response to Jane's Question by Youjin (Jenny) J.__

Although I'm not sure if I've understood your question correctly, if you're talking about //egwugu//, I certainly believe that Okonkwo was one of the eight //egwugu// who emerged to judge the trial. In page 90, the narrator states almost explicitly that Okonkwo //is// the "second //egwugu//" who had the "springy walk of Okonkwo." What amazes me is that, although his family members and other village people are well aware that the egwugu consists of their own family members, they still trust in the spirit of their gods and do not doubt their powers.

In the modern day, people would - even young children would do this - unveil all this "mystery" by tearing away the mask from the man's face, or shouting Okonkwo's name out loud. However, the Ibo people seem to have a very strong fear established towards these spirits. I wonder what creates this tension; is it the aura they have? If so, would I be completely mesmerized by them, too, as the narrator describes in the chapter? Whichever way, it definitely demonstrates great cultural bond. :)