TFA_MOJournal6

Chapters that were mostly in part two included some parts of white men coming into Africa. I thought that it was a good part to put into the story; it focuses on how the native africans felt, and thought about white men when they first landed on the land of Africa. It was interesting to see how people from two widely different environment interact with one another. In real life, we could see this too. When people make friends, they have to have the time where they get to know and understand each other and usually when they become close friends, they tend to think in similar ways. Especially if they were grown in a whole different environments. They think in different ways and point of views, and they all differ from what they are thought from their ancestors and traditions. In Things Fall Apart, I think it is similar how african and Europeans are grown in a completely different environment that they don’t understand each other: the way they look, how they act,etc. Even though the Europeans might have gone through more development such as the Industrial Revolution, These Ibo people are grown and taught from their ancestors to only believe in spirits and gods and goddesses of each and every things, but Europeans were taught to believe in Jesus. This way, I think that as these two culture blend, and different kinds people withstand another, one would be “brain-washed” from another.

Even though Okonkwo was told from many different people (Uchendu, and Obierika) to be more humane, Okonkwo still has the characteristic of anger, and violence that he judges what it has to be a true man. From his childhood, growing up watching his father, he fears to be just like his father and starts a totally opposite path from his father, Unoka. I thought Okonkwo would become more humane, and warm- hearted living with Uchendu, who is very generous and wise, Okonkwo didn’t seem so changed. He even ignores his son, Nwoye and proclaims that he is not his son. When Nwoye comes back from the church, Okonkwo even threats and just screams at Nwoye grabbing him by the neck.

What do you think Okonkwo is thinking deep inside his heart? Does he actually care for Nwoye? Is that why he is mad, and wants to “sweep” the church away?