The selection starts with four poems from Poemes de la mer (1968) which literally translates to Poems of the sea. In these four poems, we see the recurring theme of water and the sea. Seeing that these stories are written by a Congolese (Congo-Brazzaville), we can connect the subject of the poems to the geography of the country. Time also seems to play a part in these pieces. There is some reminiscence of the past and perhaps Tati-Loutard could be alluding to his childhood in certain lines.
Tati-Loutard frequently uses words related to nature, especially in News of My Mother, the first piece. Progressively throughout the four pieces, the language becomes a bit harsher and darker.
I thought that Submarine Tombs was an interesting piece. It took me a few times of reading it to realize that Tati-Loutard seems to be speaking in the voice of a fish. This strategy is unique and unlike any of the others.
Pilgrimage to the Loango Strand was very dark. I initially got the feeling that it was going to be discussing slavery--so not only did Tati-Loutard write of miscellaneous feeling/emotion, but also somewhat of the current world affairs. In this story we have the first mention of God, which as I recall was quite a prevalent figure among the slaves. The speaker mentions how he follows the strands of the scent of blood and how he no longer can continue his pilgrimage because "life sickens [him]". There is mention later in the poem of "Jamestown" and "camps of death flowered with cotton". When reading this piece, only slavery and oppression came to mind.
The next five pieces were not as linear as the previous pieces. I found them nice to read because the language flows well and sounds cool, but I did not really gain much from reading them. There was some self-questioning and complex dilemma thrown in, but nothing that made me question anything in my own life. There is a lot of mention of birth and death and sporadic mention of birds and animals.
I preferred the preceding four pieces to the latter five. I feel like Tati-Loutard has lots of bottled up feelings and unleashes his anger or resent or whatever it may be on paper. There is often mention of death and dark imagery. I also get a sense of some sort of clandestine type of feelings.
The punctuation is more formal in certain pieces than others--mostly informal. The line-lengths are quite concise and the word choice is not so sophisticated that we high school students cannot understand.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Nii Parkes
Our class was fortunate enough to meet with Nii Parkes, author of Tail of the Blue Bird, a mystery novel which we finished about two weeks ago. His visit to our class was not so much a lecture as it was a Q&A session. I really liked how open he was to our questions and how friendly he was. He seemed to be a very genuine and knowledgeable man. Whether our questions were relating directly to the text or leaning more towards writing strategies, Parkes provided us with a long, anecdotal type of response. He had a special way of drawing us in while he was speaking--perhaps the reason that he is a great mystery writer.
I was actually a bit surprised when he told us his background is in science. He is an excellent writer and also creative writer, but he told us that his background actually lies more in maths and sciences. With that in mind, students began to question whether he was writing about himself (through Kayo) in the novel. He responded saying that in some ways, yes, but no, not entirely.
Parkes told us that he likes to hand-write his work before using a computer so that he can draw arrows and so nothing is finite. He had good advice for us as writers. He gave us an activity to do towards the end of the class in which we had to write through someone else's voice. This was a useful exercise because after finishing, we realized that it was actually quite hard to stay in character of someone else while preventing using your own voice.
I am grateful that our class got the opportunity to meet with ask Parkes so many questions.
I was actually a bit surprised when he told us his background is in science. He is an excellent writer and also creative writer, but he told us that his background actually lies more in maths and sciences. With that in mind, students began to question whether he was writing about himself (through Kayo) in the novel. He responded saying that in some ways, yes, but no, not entirely.
Parkes told us that he likes to hand-write his work before using a computer so that he can draw arrows and so nothing is finite. He had good advice for us as writers. He gave us an activity to do towards the end of the class in which we had to write through someone else's voice. This was a useful exercise because after finishing, we realized that it was actually quite hard to stay in character of someone else while preventing using your own voice.
I am grateful that our class got the opportunity to meet with ask Parkes so many questions.
Monday, 28 November 2011
African Short Stories
What stylistic elements have you enjoyed lately in the stories? (Show us some bits of the writing that you like/admire)
It is interesting to see how styles of writing change regionally, in general. In this book of conglomerated short stories, we are provided stories from the western, eastern, northern and southern regions of Africa. It is not an easy task to generalize styles in the case of this book because each story's author has its own voice, provoking different reactions.
In some cases, we are given lots of dialogue. Dialogue is, in my opinion, one of the better styles of writing short stories. Throughout the course of class, we have discussed voice in a piece and whether it is introverted (implying feeling) or extroverted (explicitly saying 'this is how one should react/feel'). Dialogue undoubtedly helps the reader feel closer with the characters in a story. For example, in the stories, Papa, Snake & I and A Conversation from the Third Floor, the narration is aided by dialogue in influencing a reader, as opposed to that of the omniscient narrator in a story like Minutes of Glory, which may give readers preconceived outlook on a story before giving them a chance to form their own views.
Contextually, we see talk of animals and nature (The Gentlemen of the Jungle, The Green Leaves) and religion and politics (stories early on, The Betrayal)--all recurring themes throughout the course of class.
It is interesting to see how styles of writing change regionally, in general. In this book of conglomerated short stories, we are provided stories from the western, eastern, northern and southern regions of Africa. It is not an easy task to generalize styles in the case of this book because each story's author has its own voice, provoking different reactions.
In some cases, we are given lots of dialogue. Dialogue is, in my opinion, one of the better styles of writing short stories. Throughout the course of class, we have discussed voice in a piece and whether it is introverted (implying feeling) or extroverted (explicitly saying 'this is how one should react/feel'). Dialogue undoubtedly helps the reader feel closer with the characters in a story. For example, in the stories, Papa, Snake & I and A Conversation from the Third Floor, the narration is aided by dialogue in influencing a reader, as opposed to that of the omniscient narrator in a story like Minutes of Glory, which may give readers preconceived outlook on a story before giving them a chance to form their own views.
Contextually, we see talk of animals and nature (The Gentlemen of the Jungle, The Green Leaves) and religion and politics (stories early on, The Betrayal)--all recurring themes throughout the course of class.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Nii Parkes Exercise: Writing through another's voice
(My mother's voice)
Okay, so.. Arkin look here! Stop with that blackberry! Pay attention! First you will throw these slices of spiced chicken in a pot and begin to marinate them. In the meantime, can you reach up and grab me the bowl of rice? (It's hard for her as she is just over 5'1") Now, I take this bowl of rice and pour it into this pot of boiling water on the stove. Let the rice sit here and become soft. Do NOT let it boil for too long. Arkin, look here! After the chicken is tender, place the pieces onto a flat pan on the stove and add a bit of salt to them. Make sure to spray the pan with this oil and rub it down clean before so that nothing sticks. Try this piece. Can you taste it for me? Is it fully cooked? (She is a vegetarian--quite ironic how well she cooks meat, yet has never enjoyed it herself)
Oh shoot!.. Look how many leaves there are outside! I hate raking leaves--they're such a huge pain. Do you remember the old neighbors that had a leaf blower? Remember that guy?.. What was his name? Mr. Conte? Yeah. He was the nicest man.. always would come over and do our lawn after his. And in the winter, he would use his snow-blower and plow our sidewalk for the people walking by. Now, its such a hassle to have to find a rake and clean the yard.
Okay, so.. Arkin look here! Stop with that blackberry! Pay attention! First you will throw these slices of spiced chicken in a pot and begin to marinate them. In the meantime, can you reach up and grab me the bowl of rice? (It's hard for her as she is just over 5'1") Now, I take this bowl of rice and pour it into this pot of boiling water on the stove. Let the rice sit here and become soft. Do NOT let it boil for too long. Arkin, look here! After the chicken is tender, place the pieces onto a flat pan on the stove and add a bit of salt to them. Make sure to spray the pan with this oil and rub it down clean before so that nothing sticks. Try this piece. Can you taste it for me? Is it fully cooked? (She is a vegetarian--quite ironic how well she cooks meat, yet has never enjoyed it herself)
Oh shoot!.. Look how many leaves there are outside! I hate raking leaves--they're such a huge pain. Do you remember the old neighbors that had a leaf blower? Remember that guy?.. What was his name? Mr. Conte? Yeah. He was the nicest man.. always would come over and do our lawn after his. And in the winter, he would use his snow-blower and plow our sidewalk for the people walking by. Now, its such a hassle to have to find a rake and clean the yard.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Anowa - Phase II
After reading Phase II of the Anowa, I am interested in finding out what the real problem at hand is and what these several conflicts in the plot will eventually lead to.
Anowa and her husband, Kofi Ako, are now moderately prosperous. Through their combined work in a trade industry, they have managed to survive. There is lots of labor involved, entailing the need for more hands. One of the conflicts that has arisen in the story is how Anowa and Kofi Ako handle their this new wealth in relation to the purchase of slaves.
Their opinions are very contrasting pertaining to slaves, and as we read on, we see that their opinions are contrasting pertaining to almost everything.
While Anowa is strongly against having slaves, while Kofi sees opportunity. In society at this time, slavery is accepted.
Another conflict that rises is Anowa's constant nagging at Kofi Ako. She claims that he should marrie more women and have children. This twists the storyline because Kofi is now unusual, rather than Anowa. Both characters provide a balance in perception and character in society.
It is very evident that Kofi cares a lot for Anowa. We get a lot of dialogue from him telling her that he does not want another wife and that he just wants for (him and) her to be happy. It seems that Anowa is beginning to distance herself from Kofi, at times acting rationally, yet sometimes irrationally.
It is interesting to see that regionally, in Africa different societies acted so differently around the same time period (Things Fall Apart). I am excited to read on.
Anowa and her husband, Kofi Ako, are now moderately prosperous. Through their combined work in a trade industry, they have managed to survive. There is lots of labor involved, entailing the need for more hands. One of the conflicts that has arisen in the story is how Anowa and Kofi Ako handle their this new wealth in relation to the purchase of slaves.
Their opinions are very contrasting pertaining to slaves, and as we read on, we see that their opinions are contrasting pertaining to almost everything.
While Anowa is strongly against having slaves, while Kofi sees opportunity. In society at this time, slavery is accepted.
Another conflict that rises is Anowa's constant nagging at Kofi Ako. She claims that he should marrie more women and have children. This twists the storyline because Kofi is now unusual, rather than Anowa. Both characters provide a balance in perception and character in society.
It is very evident that Kofi cares a lot for Anowa. We get a lot of dialogue from him telling her that he does not want another wife and that he just wants for (him and) her to be happy. It seems that Anowa is beginning to distance herself from Kofi, at times acting rationally, yet sometimes irrationally.
It is interesting to see that regionally, in Africa different societies acted so differently around the same time period (Things Fall Apart). I am excited to read on.
Anowa - Phase I
I find it hard to read a play and not visualize the characters and settings in a mental picture. I see the stage described in the beginning, 2 lofts and characters entering and exiting from lower/upper right/left. I think that visualizing the play actually helps to understand it a lot.
Anowa, a beautiful, unique and confused woman who has lived out her young years is now a bit old to marry. The fact that she is unmarried is blamed on her parents by the Old Woman--one of the two components who make up 'The Mouth that eats Salt and Pepper" (bystanders of the story, speaking conversationally to the audience).
The first part of the play reads almost satirically to me. There are several instances in the first phase in which I can visualize a humorous scene:
The underlying theme of this phase is who is at fault for Anowa denying marriage so many times and a character analysis of Anowa.
Anowa, a beautiful, unique and confused woman who has lived out her young years is now a bit old to marry. The fact that she is unmarried is blamed on her parents by the Old Woman--one of the two components who make up 'The Mouth that eats Salt and Pepper" (bystanders of the story, speaking conversationally to the audience).
The first part of the play reads almost satirically to me. There are several instances in the first phase in which I can visualize a humorous scene:
- When the woman drops all of her stuff
- Anowa's entrance
- Old Man and Old Woman bickering at each other
The underlying theme of this phase is who is at fault for Anowa denying marriage so many times and a character analysis of Anowa.
Monday, 7 November 2011
Harkness Reflection
I learn a lot from listening. I started out the year strongly in terms of speaking and shifted more towards listening as time went on. As I see on the tracking charts, when I do speak, there is no certain direction or gender favored. I also do not seem to speak only on the days where everyone is contributing. I speak a lot on some days and fewer times on other days, never too much and never too little. I think that I have developed in my Harkness skill since the beginning. I try to make good eye contact and speak clearly and respect everyone's input. On the time duration chart, I have also spoken for a bit as well as over 15 seconds. There is a well distributed pattern of my speaking throughout the course of the class. Specifically, Kami and I seem to trigger thoughts in one another. I think that I have been speaking enough, but probably listening just a bit more. I can improve by speaking more.. I know that sometimes I have something to say, but I will just think about it instead of contribute it, so that may be an area in which I can improve.
Overall I give myself between a 17/20 and an 18/20. I can refer more to text and share more, although thus far my participation has been good.
Overall I give myself between a 17/20 and an 18/20. I can refer more to text and share more, although thus far my participation has been good.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
An Old Friend Of Mine's Blog
An old friend of mine who is a senior at Georgetown (Pre-Med) recently traveled to Ghana.
If anyone wants to read of someone around our age's opinions of a modern-day Ghana/look at some pictures of Ghana today:
http://cecinicol.wordpress.com/
Enjoy
If anyone wants to read of someone around our age's opinions of a modern-day Ghana/look at some pictures of Ghana today:
http://cecinicol.wordpress.com/
Enjoy
Tail of the Blue Bird (pages 1-35)
Prompts:
This opening passage commences with our narrator, Yaw Poku. It is evident to me that Parkes has a background in more creative writing/poetry, just by reading the distorted syntax and language in the opening section of the book. A clash between tradition African and Western/Anglicized thought is definitely a reoccurring theme in both of the books we have read thus far.
The book begins by offering two different viewpoints starting with Yaw Poku's and Kayo's, soon after.
Kayo, a young forensic pathologist brings for good contrast to the old and traditional Yaw Poku.
Together, these two narrators should provide interesting viewpoints for the mystery that is about to unfold. Thus far, there has been an interesting use of the English language and the native language of Yaw Poku. I am excited to know if there is any significance in doing so.
In terms of the class, I think this book has sped the pace us up a bit. Nervous Conditions, given the various complexities and issues, hampered us from flying through the book, but this book is a bit more plot-oriented and straight forward somewhat like Things Fall Apart.
- The mystery
- Character examination
- What Parkes (author--full name: Nii Ayikwei Parkes) as a writer seems to care about.
This opening passage commences with our narrator, Yaw Poku. It is evident to me that Parkes has a background in more creative writing/poetry, just by reading the distorted syntax and language in the opening section of the book. A clash between tradition African and Western/Anglicized thought is definitely a reoccurring theme in both of the books we have read thus far.
The book begins by offering two different viewpoints starting with Yaw Poku's and Kayo's, soon after.
Kayo, a young forensic pathologist brings for good contrast to the old and traditional Yaw Poku.
Together, these two narrators should provide interesting viewpoints for the mystery that is about to unfold. Thus far, there has been an interesting use of the English language and the native language of Yaw Poku. I am excited to know if there is any significance in doing so.
In terms of the class, I think this book has sped the pace us up a bit. Nervous Conditions, given the various complexities and issues, hampered us from flying through the book, but this book is a bit more plot-oriented and straight forward somewhat like Things Fall Apart.
Monday, 3 October 2011
Things Fall Apart: Cover (09/09/11)
I really like the version of the cover of Things Fall Apart that we were given. It shows a distraught face of (what we are to think of Okonkwo's face) engraved in a scorched, cracked up patch of African soil. The cracked surface almost symbolizes Okonkwo's story, in that his dreams and pure figure wither eventually and dry to the ground under the beating hot sun. On the bottom of the cover there is a powerful quote written by the honorable Nelson Mandela. The quote says,"The writer in whose company the prison walls fell down." (in reference to Achebe) Mandela is considered to be one of the most revered men in history and this quote reinforces the validity of this novel and its telling of a true African story.
A Place New to Me (Writing Prompt):
About 10 years ago I visited a few villages in India within a region called Ranthambore. It is located just south of Jaipur, which is located just south of New Delhi and Northeast of Bombay (Mumbai). It is included in the state of Rajasthan. I went with my family from Delhi. It was a long and hot drive to Ranthambore, packed in tight with cousins. India, as a country, was nothing new for me—as far as I knew, at least.
I have been to India many times, but never a place like Ranthambore. This was the first venture out there by anyone in my family. Ranthambore is known for its vast jungles and Bengal tiger-spottings. This was the main reason for our trip. It was incredible to see the people who lived out there. I had thought that the quality of living situation was quite bad in the cities, but it is another world in the outskirts and villages.
Coming from the western world, seeing people in the villages was extremely eye opening and foreign.. Even my cousins living in Delhi felt the foreignness. In the midst of the scarcity of food and falling economy, it was arid. The heat and dryness was unbearable.
Not everything was negative as it may seem.. It was a really cool place. We did end up going on an open-convee tour (elevated off the ground about 6 feet) and I did actually see a wild Bengali tiger.. standing about 7 feet away from me.
At the age of 7, or in the case of my parents, aged in their early forties at the time, this was quite a frightening experience but nevertheless, one of the most memorable we've had.
Nervous Conditions
Still curious as to what the 'Nervous Condition(s)' is/are?
Why did the author choose to make Tambu to tell the story? What do each of them represent?
Is there supposed to be an enemy/opposition throughout the story?
Is one side favored over the other? There is light brought to both the African and western ideals as well as drawbacks for both.
What is going through Babamakuru's head?.. Very back and forth it seems.
The last paragraph is very interesting:
"I was young then and able to banish things, but seeds do grow. Although I was not aware of it then, no longer could I accept Sacred Heart and what it represented as a sunrise on my horizon. Quietly, unobtrusively and extremely fitfully, something in my mind began to assert itself, to question things and refuse to be brainwashed, bringing me to this time when I can set own this story. It was a long and painful process for me, that process of expansion. It was a process whose events stretched over many years and would fill another volume, but the story I have told here, is my own story, the story of four women whom I loved, and our men, this story is how it all began." (Dangarembga 208)
green = interesting language
red = strong language/making a staunch point
blue = loving/comforting language
- Deterioration of Nyasha physically?
- Deterioration of Nyasha emotionally?
- The general takeover of African culture by the west and its influences?
- Men/Women conflict?
- Perpetual familial issues?
- Just simply coming-of-age?
Why did the author choose to make Tambu to tell the story? What do each of them represent?
Is there supposed to be an enemy/opposition throughout the story?
Is one side favored over the other? There is light brought to both the African and western ideals as well as drawbacks for both.
What is going through Babamakuru's head?.. Very back and forth it seems.
The last paragraph is very interesting:
"I was young then and able to banish things, but seeds do grow. Although I was not aware of it then, no longer could I accept Sacred Heart and what it represented as a sunrise on my horizon. Quietly, unobtrusively and extremely fitfully, something in my mind began to assert itself, to question things and refuse to be brainwashed, bringing me to this time when I can set own this story. It was a long and painful process for me, that process of expansion. It was a process whose events stretched over many years and would fill another volume, but the story I have told here, is my own story, the story of four women whom I loved, and our men, this story is how it all began." (Dangarembga 208)
green = interesting language
red = strong language/making a staunch point
blue = loving/comforting language
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Maathai
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/09/26/world/africa/wangari-maathai-tribute/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
Interesting/renowned woman from Africa. Worth checking out.
Interesting/renowned woman from Africa. Worth checking out.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
My Participation in Class
I enjoy harkness table discussions. They started for me last year in Ms. Tally's Craft of Writing class. The class last year was very different as we would read and critique altogether during the class period.
I like to participate in class, in general. I have probably done a bit more listening than speaking for our discussions of Nervous Conditions. Whereas, for Things Fall Apart, I found it easier to express opinions. Perhaps it's because of Tambu.. I find it hard to thoroughly enjoy Nervous Conditions, solely because of her, but nevertheless, I will contribute what I can to the discussion.
I can listen for a while, but I like to voice myself at some point. I think I can work a bit harder on speaking. Sometimes when I do speak, I tend to change the subject of discussion (not necessarily a bad thing). I should probably take more notes in my book and come a bit more prepared to ask questions to the class, but as of now, I am speaking whenever I feel unsure of anything.
I like to participate in class, in general. I have probably done a bit more listening than speaking for our discussions of Nervous Conditions. Whereas, for Things Fall Apart, I found it easier to express opinions. Perhaps it's because of Tambu.. I find it hard to thoroughly enjoy Nervous Conditions, solely because of her, but nevertheless, I will contribute what I can to the discussion.
I can listen for a while, but I like to voice myself at some point. I think I can work a bit harder on speaking. Sometimes when I do speak, I tend to change the subject of discussion (not necessarily a bad thing). I should probably take more notes in my book and come a bit more prepared to ask questions to the class, but as of now, I am speaking whenever I feel unsure of anything.
Monday, 19 September 2011
Chimamanda Adichie
Adichie has brought to light the general western misconception of the African people. It seems as though her roommate in college really helped her understand the narrow-minded/single story view most westerners have of Africa. I personally have not visited places like Nigeria in Africa, but in order to gain a full perspective in which I can judge the African societies, I will definitely have to travel there first. I enjoyed the 'TED' clip of Adichie. I can somewhat relate to how an American may have a misconception of a foreign place.. but from both ends of the telescope. I myself (an American kid) am born to immigrant parents from India. I have been to India several times and have encountered many misconceptions from my western friends. The ideas are sprung from stories, movies and news. I can agree with Adichie in saying that it is ignorant to view an entire society based on a novel or youtube video. In accordance with "Things Fall Apart," the same principles apply. Although the African society may seem primitive to a person from New York or Texas or California, this person may not have been fully exposed to such a place as Africa. It is vital to note that assumption is not fact and propaganda cannot always be trusted as a reliable source of valid information.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Things Fall Apart : Pages 83-118
Wow! Lots to talk about!
Ezinma is kidnapped by Chielo against her/her parents' will and brought to the Oracle. Agbala, a god, has called for Ezinma. They are followed by Ekwefi and Okonkwo separately and eventually she is somehow okay... I'm not really sure how or what happened to make her okay (that is, if she is okay). It is a bit unclear to me as to where she stands at this point.
As I mentioned in my previous post, the spirits play a huge role in the novel. A selection opens up with a trial, which is another public gathering. The trial is between a husband-wife and their respective families (almost like a Double-Dare 2000 type of game show if you've ever watched Nickelodeon). A man is made to pay for his crime which is abusing his wife. He must pay her family with wine or another regional commodity. There are spirits attending and one overbearing spirit called the ~Evil Forest~. Basically, a lot of rumble and jumble all about the village.. the elders are praised.. Okonkwo represents his village secretly in the egwugwu, etc etc. My head is going.. wait, 'what the hey' is going on right now?!
Justice or injustice -- we may never know. I spent all of my 2nd semester Junior year with Mr. Potchatek in Early Classical Thought trying to define justice, virtue, good, bad, etc. within the ancient Socratic dialogues. There is no real answer--just perpetual questioning.
It is an eternal search, so my advice to the reader is to just go with it:
Tragedy, heroism, defiance, power, relationships, real vs. surreal, fact vs. fiction, proverbs/saying/stories, beliefs/values/traditions/rituals, male/female, husband/wife, masculinity/femininity, tolerance, murder... These are all applicable words that are written on the board right now having to do with this section.. So much to discuss.
Okonkwo kills a boy inadvertently. It is unfortunate, but perhaps foreshadowing something for later on in the book. I want to take the words murder and exile.
@Okonkwo
Do you want to leave the village? I know that the gods say you must go for committing this big no-no, but seven years is a long time! Do you not have the power to stay? Page 118, it is, "[decreed by Earth] that they (a pair of twins) were an offence on the land and must be destroyed." Who is Earth (the Gods?) to decree this death sentence?
Perhaps I am hindered by my personal anti-religious views.. It is hard for me to get a grip on why no one is allowed to rebel against the gods.
Maybe someone will? A twist? I am adrenalized to see.
-As of now, the spirits continue to determine the events.
Ezinma is kidnapped by Chielo against her/her parents' will and brought to the Oracle. Agbala, a god, has called for Ezinma. They are followed by Ekwefi and Okonkwo separately and eventually she is somehow okay... I'm not really sure how or what happened to make her okay (that is, if she is okay). It is a bit unclear to me as to where she stands at this point.
As I mentioned in my previous post, the spirits play a huge role in the novel. A selection opens up with a trial, which is another public gathering. The trial is between a husband-wife and their respective families (almost like a Double-Dare 2000 type of game show if you've ever watched Nickelodeon). A man is made to pay for his crime which is abusing his wife. He must pay her family with wine or another regional commodity. There are spirits attending and one overbearing spirit called the ~Evil Forest~. Basically, a lot of rumble and jumble all about the village.. the elders are praised.. Okonkwo represents his village secretly in the egwugwu, etc etc. My head is going.. wait, 'what the hey' is going on right now?!
Justice or injustice -- we may never know. I spent all of my 2nd semester Junior year with Mr. Potchatek in Early Classical Thought trying to define justice, virtue, good, bad, etc. within the ancient Socratic dialogues. There is no real answer--just perpetual questioning.
It is an eternal search, so my advice to the reader is to just go with it:
Let the people do what they gotta do,
and do not question,
just eat your foo-foo.
I guess we can go on and on discussing whether their specific justice system is right or wrong, but it is not up to us. Of course, we (in 2011) cannot agree with everything, but these people confide in their gods 110%.
Okonkwo kills a boy inadvertently. It is unfortunate, but perhaps foreshadowing something for later on in the book. I want to take the words murder and exile.
@Okonkwo
Do you want to leave the village? I know that the gods say you must go for committing this big no-no, but seven years is a long time! Do you not have the power to stay? Page 118, it is, "[decreed by Earth] that they (a pair of twins) were an offence on the land and must be destroyed." Who is Earth (the Gods?) to decree this death sentence?
Perhaps I am hindered by my personal anti-religious views.. It is hard for me to get a grip on why no one is allowed to rebel against the gods.
Maybe someone will? A twist? I am adrenalized to see.
-As of now, the spirits continue to determine the events.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Things Fall Apart : Pages 3-82 : Parents & Children
Last class, we discussed whether the narrator speaks with a bias towards Okonkwo or against him. In my personal opinion, the (all-knowing/omniscient) narrator is at a neutral standpoint. Okonkwo is almost revered and certainly obeyed within the villages. There is an evident hierarchy within the society. It is obvisouly a male-dominant society and very hard for a modern-day westerner to understand.
Religion (gods and spirits) play a big part in the chapters we have read, thus far. Every person, thing and occurance is somehow tied to a certain supernatural force. The Oracle serves as the prophecy in almost all situations.
Within each individual family, there is a hierarchy. The male, in our specific case, Okonkwo, absolutely dominates. Whatever Okonkwo says must be obeyed and is very rarely challenged. There are many instances in Things Fall Apart when Okonkwo threatens to beat or harm a family member as a result of just a simple misdemeanor. Specifically on page 31, Okonkwo scolds his eldest son, Nwoye, for cutting up yams either too big or too small. He then alludes to how much better of a tapper he was when he was Nwoye's age.
Achebe (author) states, "Okonkwo wanted his son to be a great farmer and a great man. He would stamp out any disquieting signs of laziness which he thought he already saw in him."
This is an underlying theme throughout the whole novel. In the very beginning, it is understood that Okonkwo's father, Unoka, was an unsuccessful man. He not only failed in keeping control of society completely, but he was weak and afraid of bloodshed. In consequence, Okonkwo turned out to be the opposite. He wanted order in society and he gained much respect from the people of the villages.
As we've mentioned today in class, there is somewhat of a balance between male and female jobs -- the male dominates and takes precedence at home and with the physical labor / farming, and the women cook, tend to the needs of the children, and basically are used as wives to reproduce (as unethical as it may seem to a modern reader.)
There are similar relationships as that of Okonkwo and Nwoye as well as different. A man and his son, a suitor, come to ask Obierika for his daughter's (Akueke's) hand in marriage. The two men have a seemingly more relaxed relationship than that of Okonkwo and Nwoye's.
As for Ikemefuna: Okonkwo had developed an attachment to him, but having to sustain his dominant status, he kills Ikemefuna when it is deemed he must die.
Ezinma is the only child of Okonkwo’s second wife, Ekwefi. She is the only one of Ekwefi’s ten children to survive past infancy and means everything to her. Ezinma calls her mother 'Ekwefi' and is treated by her as an equal. She is beautiful as her mother (the village beauty) is, and is favored by Okonkwo. He does not normally display any affection (fear of seeming too weak), although cares a lot for Ezinma. He often wishes and says that Ezinma was a boy, as he admires her personality, which is very clear when she becomes ill. He shows that he will do anything in his power to save her life.
Overall, parents are obeyed in this patriarchal society and it is the job of the parents to pass on skills and characteristic to the subsequent generation.
Religion (gods and spirits) play a big part in the chapters we have read, thus far. Every person, thing and occurance is somehow tied to a certain supernatural force. The Oracle serves as the prophecy in almost all situations.
Within each individual family, there is a hierarchy. The male, in our specific case, Okonkwo, absolutely dominates. Whatever Okonkwo says must be obeyed and is very rarely challenged. There are many instances in Things Fall Apart when Okonkwo threatens to beat or harm a family member as a result of just a simple misdemeanor. Specifically on page 31, Okonkwo scolds his eldest son, Nwoye, for cutting up yams either too big or too small. He then alludes to how much better of a tapper he was when he was Nwoye's age.
Achebe (author) states, "Okonkwo wanted his son to be a great farmer and a great man. He would stamp out any disquieting signs of laziness which he thought he already saw in him."
This is an underlying theme throughout the whole novel. In the very beginning, it is understood that Okonkwo's father, Unoka, was an unsuccessful man. He not only failed in keeping control of society completely, but he was weak and afraid of bloodshed. In consequence, Okonkwo turned out to be the opposite. He wanted order in society and he gained much respect from the people of the villages.
As we've mentioned today in class, there is somewhat of a balance between male and female jobs -- the male dominates and takes precedence at home and with the physical labor / farming, and the women cook, tend to the needs of the children, and basically are used as wives to reproduce (as unethical as it may seem to a modern reader.)
There are similar relationships as that of Okonkwo and Nwoye as well as different. A man and his son, a suitor, come to ask Obierika for his daughter's (Akueke's) hand in marriage. The two men have a seemingly more relaxed relationship than that of Okonkwo and Nwoye's.
As for Ikemefuna: Okonkwo had developed an attachment to him, but having to sustain his dominant status, he kills Ikemefuna when it is deemed he must die.
Ezinma is the only child of Okonkwo’s second wife, Ekwefi. She is the only one of Ekwefi’s ten children to survive past infancy and means everything to her. Ezinma calls her mother 'Ekwefi' and is treated by her as an equal. She is beautiful as her mother (the village beauty) is, and is favored by Okonkwo. He does not normally display any affection (fear of seeming too weak), although cares a lot for Ezinma. He often wishes and says that Ezinma was a boy, as he admires her personality, which is very clear when she becomes ill. He shows that he will do anything in his power to save her life.
Overall, parents are obeyed in this patriarchal society and it is the job of the parents to pass on skills and characteristic to the subsequent generation.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Things Fall Apart (modern film adaptation)
http://collider.com/50-cent-skinny-things-fall-apart-curtis-jackson-mario-van-peeble/28950/
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