The cultural differences of this novel are so weird to me. They are so utterly primal that it is almost disgusting.
What time period is this anyways?
I know that when people go hunting they might get the deer stuffed or whatever, but keeping the head of somebody that you killed in a war is sick. The part when the author wrote that at a funeral Okonkwo drank from the first head he got, I felt nausea. That is so disgusting. It makes me think of that short story "The Most Dangerous Game" when he was hunting people but that is not as bad as drinking from their head.
The treatment of women in this novel is horrible. Men have more than one wife because in this twisted tribe they believe that all women can do are have children. The way that Okonkwo was talking to his oldest wife was horrible. All she did was ask a reasonable question, and he snapped at her. Women were not at the meeting where the men were informed of the situation, and I assume that none of the husbands told their wives the situation. She was completely blind sited by a fifteen year old boy that is apparently living with her now, and she isn't even allowed to ask why? That is crazy.
I feel very bad for the boy and girl that were sent to this tribe. I don't understand why the Umuofia tribe just didn't do something to the people that killed the woman. Were they trying to get more than they lost? The two kids had nothing to do with the murder and now their lives are completely disrupted because of something that someone else did. This girl just has to go live with this person that she doesn't even know. I assume that they are husband and wife now, and they hadn't even met. This boy got shipped off to live with a violent man who is completely condescending and uses intimidation to get what he wants. These kids are not in for a good life. Even if Okonkwo has a lot to offer this boy will have to suffer to get it.
4 comments:
The cultural differences of this novel should be weird to you, since none of us have ever experienced some place like this. Yes, at times things in their culture that they do may disgust us, but it must seem normal to their way of life.
The author never does tell us directly what year it is. I don't want to reveal what happens in the end, but Achebe does give it away historically. More on that later. What I can tell you is the story takes place during the 19th century AD.
The hunting practices are gross, but then again, the American Indians (Plains) used to cut out a Buffalo's beating heart and take a bite out of it, so it would seem that most "tribal" cultures have some sort of gross attributes to them?
As you point out, the treatment of women in this novel is horrible. Pologymy is accepted in most African societies. It is a male dominated culture like many outside the USA. Good thing you live here eh?
The boy is an interesting character who I really thought was a neat kid. Granted, Okonkwo isn't the best male role model.
Keep up the insightful commments.
Mr. Farrell
I also think the culture is weird, but I still kind of like the novel. I think Chinua Achebe is a good author that shows what African culture is like. I think that just having an idea of what the culture is like is an important part of the education about Africa.
Lisa i am going to talk mostly about the whole beating his wives situation. I just think it is morally wrong to hit your wife. Okonkwo must not realize that he is making a jerk of himself. I mean i guess that is what it is like in those tribes, but I do not think that is how it should be. Later on he even shoots a gun at one of them! I thought that was mind-blowing. I could never treat somebody I am supposed to "love" like that.
Hey Lisa I agree with you, it was kinda sick for them to cut off and keep the heads, but that was life a long time ago. It was considered a trophy, the same as a stuffed deer head. Like Alaina said, it is neat to learn about the culture and probably is important that we read this to further our understanding of it for our studies of Africa.
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