TFA+(15-19)+Youjin+(Jenny)+J.

Requirements: a) Paragraph of Text-to-Text/Self/World Connection b) Paragraph looking at the character of Okonkwo in Part II - is he changing? same person we saw in Part I? c) Interpretive/Evaluative Question related to one of your two paragraphs for this journal entry DON'T FORGET - You also have to use Sentence Pattern 9 in one of your two paragraphs and put it in bold/underline or some other format so that it's easily distinguishable from the rest of your paragraph.

__Text-to-Text Connection + Question__

"I say it because I fear for the younger generation, for you people." (p.167)

In chapters 15 to 19, traditional Ibo culture is in danger. Some people, though only a small portion of the population, abandon the Ibo religious customs to instead adhere to a foreign god. Among this heretic group of people, those who would have originally been excluded as outcasts (more like "untouchables") are embraced.

Seeing such actions, the elder clansmen are deeply worried and troubled; as stated in the quote above, **they "fear" for the upcoming generations, they fear for the changes that will be made, and they fear for the gradual neglect of ancestral wisdom.** It is natural that culture mends and shifts subtly as generations pass by, but changes suggested in this section are quite radical indeed.

In the very beginning of chapter 15, Okonkwo's uncle states: “Those were good days when a man had friends in distant clans. Your generation does not know that. You stay at home, afraid of your next-door neighbor. Even a man’s motherland is strange to him nowadays.” (p.137) Later on, in the end of chapter 19, another clansman makes a similar remark: "You do not understand how strong is the bond of kinship. You do not know what it is to speak with one voice.” (p.167)

What is amazing to me is that these concerns are nearly identical with those of the older generations in Korea. The elder people say that we have become too individualistic, and that the "family culture" has been demolished in many ways. As we have broken away from the traditional "Dae-gajok" (big-family) culture, where all three generations live together, and now live in what we call "Haek-gajok" (parted families), we are slowly forgetting about the traditional values of family life. Most of us no longer visit the elders, stuck in the midst of a busy daily routine, and even when we do, fail to remain sincere. Whereas in the past there may have been more bonding amongst siblings or other kinsmen, now there is awkwardness and a clear reluctance to help each other out even in times of hardship, because - sorry to say - who can ensure that the help will be repaid? We are now living in a practical society where, despite efforts to love, concerns for the self precede the suffering of others.

In this process, the upcoming generations clash with the elderly. Thinking that the younger generations are too self-centered and have no general respect, they admonish the younger people ("In these days when the younger generation consider themselves wiser than their sires... " (p.166)). In response, the new generations mock the elders under their breath; they think those of the older generation are much too conservative "and do not understand the trend."

But who is to blame for this situation? Is it right to say that the younger people are too liberal, perhaps, and self-concerned? Then do we truly need to adhere to all the former ancestral customs in order to pass on their wisdom? It is a mutual misunderstanding, in my opinion. Culture is bound to change, and it is often no one side's effort or fault that this shift is created. These changes are in fact largely due to foreign influence. Take for example the Ibo people; the intrusion of white men in their society brought the chaos that the people had to go through. It is the same for the Koreans. Westernization and liberal thoughts began to flow into the society, and thus we can now see people walking around in shorts and mini-skirts, exposing their flesh to an extent that would have been unimaginable in the past generations.

I am not denouncing foreign culture in any way; it is wrong to say that one culture is wrong or the other is right. Everyone, having stemmed from different backgrounds, have different ways of thinking and living, and this should be understood/embraced. It is true that when different cultures come together, conflicts ought to spring between the conservatives and the liberals, but both should understand that it is simply a merging process, and is equally difficult for either side to become accustomed to it. As my grandfather stated in the interview; "it is very difficult to understand and find a balance between traditional and new values; but peace amongst the different generations can be found only when they both begin listening to and respecting each other, in an effort to find a point of mutual agreement. Understanding each other is essential, though I acknowledge that it is challenging."

__Okonkwo__

Likewise, Okonkwo is also going through an inner struggle due to cultural clashes. Okonkwo's son, Nwoye, leaves the house and joins the Christian missionaries, as mentioned in chapter 16. Although Okonkwo tries to maintain calmness on the outside, he is deeply concerned about the situation; he wishes to persuade himself that it is only one son who has been cursed, but is also seized by fear of his future and afterlife. "He saw himself and his fathers crowding round their ancestral shine waiting in vain for worship and sacrifice and finding nothing but ashes of bygone days" (p.153).

With all these changes being made to the society, Okonkwo feels anxious and restless, especially because he cannot contribute any input to change things back to normal. Stuck in his motherland, he feels that he is being influenced by "a womanly clan," and is "disgusted." (p.159) Irritated by his inability to do anything effective, he slowly realizes how powerless he is. He had always been a "roaring flame" (p.153), but now he has lost his flame. It is not long until he realizes: "Living fire begets cold, impotent ash" (p.153).

So it is clear that Okonkwo is beginning to lose his usual strength and vigor. Yes, his heart is still burning in flames with a passion to conquer and destroy, but he can no longer express such emotions as fully as he had been before. There are three main reasons to this: a) he is in his motherland, where he has much less power, b) his pride has been wilted by the decision to be moved to Mbanta, c) he realizes that he is no longer invincible.

Now, only one question awaits: Will Okonkwo be able to regain his power when he returns to Umuofia? Or would he find himself in a relatively similar situation? My vote is on the latter, but who knows. ;)