Gender Stereotypes In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

People believe that there are certain ways a female or male should act like. A female should be the one doing all the chores and a male should be working for a job. Since this is the mindset that has been created, females are treated and known as ‘weaklings’. The idea of femininity versus masculinity affects the daily lives of society through each female and male’s certain characteristics, the different treatment of each, and the stereotype of the respective genders created by society, leaving no respect for women. The idea that there are certain characteristics are applied to females and males affects society. Okonkwo, a Nigerian man, supports and follows the rules of gender roles.“‘Sit like a woman!’ Okonkwo shouted at her. Ezinma brought
His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper […]” (Achebe 13) Okonkwo had ruled his family and had never resisted to let his anger out, causing his wives to live in fear with him. ““Let us not reason like cowards,” said Okonkwo. “If a man comes into my hut and defecates on the floor, what do I do? Do I shut my eyes? No! I take a stick and break his head. That is what a man does. These people are daily pouring filth over us, and Okeke says we should pretend not to see.” Okonkwo made a sound full of disgust. This was a womanly clan, he thought.” (Achebe 158-159). Masculinity to Okonkwo is the answer to everything for him. As an insult, he calls the tribe womanly as opposed to ‘weak’ and thinks his clan should be more masculine and
““He belongs to the clan,” he told her [Okonkwo’s eldest wife]. “So look after him.” “Is he staying long with us?” she asked. “Do what you are told, woman,” Okonkwo thundered, and stammered. “When did you become one of the ndichie of Umuofia?”And so Nwoye’s mother took Ikemefuna to her hut and asked no more questions.” (Achebe 14) Okonkwo treats his wife like a slave rather than his wife. He also calls her ‘woman’ demonstrating how women are not respected enough to be called by their own name. Because of all the gender norms that are created by the tribe, one of them teaches women to obey men. “As a matter of fact the tree was very much alive. Okonkwo’s second wife had merely cut a few leaves off it to wrap some food […] Without further argument, Okonkwo gave her a sound beating and left her and her only daughter weeping.”(Achebe 38) Okonkwo beats her in public taking his anger out at her while she does not resist. Women are treated like they are not mattered and have not done anything as productive as