Comparative Analysis: Oedipus & Okonkwo Okonkwo from a strict African culture and Oedipus from a Grecian society in 400 B.C. are oddly not too different from each other. Through Oedipus and Okonkwo’s downfall both represent the qualities of a tragic hero and the show their process of self-actualization. Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe depicts the life of Okonkwo and the honor he has strived for in his village is quickly falling apart. In Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles is ended
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The idea that "things do not change‚ we do" is incorrect. Although it can be the case at times‚ it is entirely inaccurate as the phrase "we do" in this view can be easily replaced by "circumstances". "Things" may not change‚ but circumstances‚ which we usually have no control over‚ certainly do change. Also‚ this view can be rearranged to state "things change‚ we don’t"‚ showing that people may be resistant to change. The main focus of the book Things Fall Apart is on the changes that not only take
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Things Fall Apart’s Repudiation of Western Imperialist Views of Africa Africa is a continent that contains many individualistic‚ unique‚ and culturally independent countries‚ tribes‚ and people. However‚ Africa is conceptualized as a continent that is riddled with poverty and savagery. The misconception of Africa and its identity was induced by Western colonizers‚ that oppressed not only the colonized but also their culture and traditions. The colonizers gave inaccurate‚ ambiguous‚ and self glorifying
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Chinua Achebe’s insight into the mind and culture of the African man makes Things Fall Apart very real and even relatable to Western readers. Achebe was born into a Christian family in Ogidi‚ Igboland‚ a part of Easter Nigeria. He was born only a few generations after the events in Things Fall Apart occur. Chinua Achebe grew up listening to his parents’ and grandparents’ stories about the history of the Igbo people and what happened when the Europeans came into their region. Although Achebe was surrounded
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207). After hearing two short responses to two basic questions‚ the District Commissioner deems himself an expert and decides to add Okonkwo’s story to a book he is writing. Okonkwo’s story‚ however‚ will not span an entire book as Achebe’s Things Fall Apart does; Okonkwo’s complicated history will be written into “perhaps not a whole chapter but a reasonable paragraph” by “cutting out details” (Achebe 209). This summary of Okonwo’s life that is already incomplete due to insufficient research will
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12 AP English Burnett Things Fall Apart Socratic Seminar Points of Discussion 1. Achebe begins the novel with an elaborate description of the central character Okonkwo. What do we learn about the values of Umuofians through this characterization? 2. Discuss Okonkwo as an Igbo heroic character: how does he work to achieve greatness as defined by his culture? How does he differ from Western heroes? What are Okonkwo’s strengths and weaknesses? 3. Describe
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Aidan Ascio Mrs. Blocher Honors English II 20 February 2014 Brace Yourselves…White Men Are Coming 9. Symbol: Locusts Locusts can symbolize many items in the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe‚ two of which are the arrival of white men and the breaking of tradition. “At first‚ a fairly small swarm came. They were the harbingers sent to survey the land” (Achebe 48). This is how the locusts first arrived and the white men arrived in a similar fashion. Even in chapter 15 does the oracle
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Nsekhe AP English Essay 04/19/2013 Heart of Darkness vs. Things Fall Apart “Heart of Darkness” and “Things Fall Apart” show a variety of ways of depicting Africa in literature. In “Heart of Darkness”‚ Joseph Conrad shows the continent of Africa through the stereotypical perspective of the European sailors‚ who had a tendency to depict the natives of the land as savages‚ and in response to that matter‚ Chinua Achebe wrote “Things Fall Apart” through the non-stereotypical depicting perspective of
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Symbolism Things Fall Apart is a story that depicts a tribal society; which generally are founded upon principles such as symbolism and objects having power‚ so naturally it would make sense for his novel to contain symbolism. One such example would be the yam. The novel expresses the view that yams are the crop of masculinity. The yam is meant to represent the means‚ wealth and power‚ women are not allowed to sew yams‚ for crops but are given different foods to grow. The yam is simple‚ but requires
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Anthropology 116 11/30/11 Things Fall Apart. Chinua Achebe. New York: Anchor Books‚ 1959. Number of 209. Things Fall Apart is the story of the people in an Ibo village that face destruction with the arrival of white missionaries from England. It begins by centering on Okonkwo‚ an ambitious and strong man who rose to great standing despite his shameful father‚ in order to give background to the customs of the area and the thoughts behind his actions. It then follows Okonkwo through his demise and
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