Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart revolves around the actions and relationships of the protagonist Okonkwo. Okonkwo, an Igbo man, defines himself by a set of values that many modern American readers might find surprising in the emphasis that they place on a gendered lens. However, for Okonkwo, to evaluate people and make judgments based on a gendered expectations is not only normal, it is in fact encouraged.
This gendered perspective has a significant influence...
Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart revolves around the actions and relationships of the protagonist Okonkwo. Okonkwo, an Igbo man, defines himself by a set of values that many modern American readers might find surprising in the emphasis that they place on a gendered lens. However, for Okonkwo, to evaluate people and make judgments based on a gendered expectations is not only normal, it is in fact encouraged.
This gendered perspective has a significant influence on the relationships that Okonkwo has with his daughter Ezinma and his son Nwoye, respectively.
Okonkwo constantly wishes that Ezinma had been born a boy because her major personality traits are all those of the ideal Igbo boy. As a result, Okonkwo is fond of Ezinma, who in the male-oriented Igbo society, exceeds expectations.
On the other hand, his relationship Nwoye is quite strained because Nwoye fails all of the expectations Igbo men have for their sons. This is a huge issue because Igbo society revolves around male power, and so Nwoye's behavior is a constant disappointment for Okonkwo.
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