Things Fall Apart Femininity Analysis

Throughout history the denotations of masculinity and femininity have been much debated. The literary devices used in the historical drama “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe helps demonstrate how Okonkwo and traditional Umuofian culture define masculinity and femininity by providing insight through the eyes of someone who belongs to that specific culture. In their eyes, how they differentiate men and women is normal and the proper way to live. Even though we may find some of their ways absurd, we have to understand that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs of how to define masculinity and femininity. To exemplify how the Umuofian people view masculinity and femininity Chinua Achebe uses a sort of diction, which provides us with complete clarity on the subject. For example, he
When speaking of masculinity the tone seems to be more strict and authoritative, which is how the men view themselves compared to the women. In chapter four Achebe says, “The man who had contradicted him had no title. That was why he had called him a woman (Achebe 26).” To degrade the man with no titles Okonkwo tried to take away what in their culture men value most, their masculinity. When we look at the tone associated with femininity the atmosphere changes entirely. We know that because the women are not valued as much femininity is frowned upon as well. Knowing their place in the Ibo culture women were forced to accept this ridicule given to them by the men. After finding out his wife had cut off a few leaves of a banana tree Achebe says, “Without further argument Okonkwo gave her a sound beating and left her and her only daughter weeping. Neither of the other wives dared to interfere… (Achebe 38).” Achebe uses a sympathetic tone when describing the punishments given to the women, which shows his view on how the women and femininity were