Things Fall Apart: Chapter 8

At the beginning of the chapter I actually felt sorry for Ukonkwo. His remorse for the loss of Ikemefuna was beyond what I would have ever guessed. This really surprised me because it seems as if he has gone from one extreme to the other in regards to his emotions. He is at such a loss that he hasn't even eaten for several days. He just, sits there. He can't even shake his thoughts of Ikemefuna. They just keep returning. Ukonkwo then decides to get his mind off of the murder he is going to go and talk to his friend Obierika. Obierika really does help Okonkwo a great deal with their talk. During this talk, a great deal is mentioned about positions held by men in local tribes. They compared the rank of ozo among the tribes, and mentioned how they felt that other tribes were treating it very dishonorably. At the end of the chapter, the custom of paying for the bride is described when another member from the tribe and his family visit Obierika to purchase the his daughter. To settle this matter, they use broomsticks. I did not quite understand the significance of these, perhaps they have some value in the tribe? However, it was quite interesting, and I thought it was good Okonkwo was getting over Ikemefuna's death, because I really don't think he should hold himself responsible.

Things Fall Apart: Chapter 7

Well, blogger is being very stupid tonight, so I'm going to try this for the third and final time. I am very pleased to see a change in the novel, though. This chapter is by far my favorite so far in the novel. Okonkwo begins to show emotions! I found this amazing, but it made the novel somewhat funner to read. He enjoys spending time with his boys now that they are more grown up, and he tells them stories all the time now. To me, this is a great step forward for him in his manhood. Now, his sons don't just see him as a great, powerful man, but they can relate to him as well. He even lets them work with him now, which he did before, but he seems to enjoy having them around a lot more. However, as always, when something good happens, something bad must follow. The tribe finally decides they want to kill Ikemefuna. This is very disappointing to Okonkwo, who views Ikemefuna almost as a son now. Yet again, another display of emotion. However, he does as the tribe wishes, with much heartache. I can't wait to see how both Okonkwo and Nwoye respond to the situation they were presented with.

Things Fall Apart: Chapter 6

This chapter goes into great detail about the wrestling customs that are used during the festival. Absolutely everyone attends this event. It is practically their Olympic Games. It begins with the younger wrestlers going first, almost as to prepare the crowd for the main event. Then, when the time comes for the actual fighters, they use some odd techniques in their fights. The two teams are lined up on opposite sides. A wrestler dances over to the other side, chooses an opponent, and they dance back to the center. Then, the fight begins. All the while, drums are playing very powerfully in the background. This chapter does not really talk about Okonkwo or his family very much, but it does tell a lot about what is important to them and the entire community. I'm waiting to see if he still fights, or if he is too old. I would've thought that being the great fighter that he is, that he would still prove he can do? So far, though, they haven't said anything about him.

Things Fall Apart: Chapter 5

When the chapter begins, it seems evident that though Okonkwo shows great control over his family, he seems to have their respect more than their love. He severely beats his wife once again for something she did not even do. Then, he almost shoots her. I'm starting to get the impression that he feels everyone will abandon him if he gives them the chance. He won't go soft, because he think it leads to failure in everything. However, the Feast of the New Yams is occuring, and like most holidays this seems to help the family situation. Everyone is looking forward to the annual fights, which are soon going to occur. One thing Okonkwo and his family have in common is their love of wrestling. It seems to be the only thing that will soften Okonkwo up in regards to his family. While discussing wrestling, he even jokes around with his daughters somewhat. However, I can't see how he can be on a path to happiness in the end if he keeps up this streak of bad behavior towards his family. Possessions are nice, but in the end they won't make him happy.

Things Fall Apart: Chapter 4

This chapter reveals a real twist in Okonkwo's character. He openly admits to secretly liking Ikemefuna, even if he doesn't show it. This seems to greatly contrast his stern and cold-hearted character from the previous chapters. Maybe he won't end up being that bad in the end after all. However, it also goes and supports the fact that he is very cold-hearted in the pages that follow. During the Week of Peace, a sacred holiday, he lets his anger take control... this definitely shows that although he is very prosperous in possessions and maintains control over his family and farm, he cannot control himself. This could prove to be a great weakness, as he is severely punished for beating his wife. It also caused some of the villagers to look down upon him, which he definitely does not want. The chapter is summed up by describing his farming techniques, which greatly differ from those we use today. It is Africa, where the climate and crops are different, but they do put a lot of effort into their living. These people seem to be passionate about everything they do. At this point, though, I'm sort of wondering where this novel is heading. There doesn't seem to be a real storyline to me. It describes a lot about Okonkwo's past, but there are never really any details about where he is now and what is happening. I'm a little curious about this, probably just because I don't think I've ever read a book written like this before.

Things Fall Apart: Chapter 3

This chapter really provides a lot of detail on both Okonkwo's start to greatness and the customs of the tribe. It wasn't easy for Okonkwo in the beginning. He was forced to share crop, and provide for his father's family at the same time. Not only that, but the weather was horrible that year. In the end, though, he perservered through it once again. For some reason, they keep bringing up different parts of Unoka's life throughout the novel. To me, this just seems to reitterate the fact that Okonkwo can't get over who his father was and will do anything not to become like him. Whenever Okonkwo visited Nwakibie, it revealed a lot about several customs they have. They drank their wine before anything else. Okonkwo drank his own wine before it was distributed to the others to make sure it was satisfactory. And it was the eldest men who drank first, then they drank down until the youngest had had his share. Then, the wives came and had some, and left. Lastly, they ate. For being an African warring tribe, they seem very civilized and courteous. I'm sure there is going to be lots more insight into some of these aspects later in the book.

Things Fall Apart: Chapter 2

Chapter two begins with the town crier summoning all the men to a meeting at dawn. The meeting is held at dawn and not during the night because of the tribe's great fear of the night. This revels a great deal about the Umuofia tribe. They are great warriors and do not fear battle, but they have a terrible fear of the night and all the things it covers with the darkness. In the morning, it is revealed that a neighboring tribe has killed a daughter of Umuofia. To prevent a war but still have justice, Okonkwo is sent to the tribe and returns with a young girl and young boy. This really shows the wisdom of the tribes, though it may not be the most ethical solution. Instead of starting an all out war, they have a much simpler way of solving their problem. The boy is left in the care of Okonkwo. At this point, characteristics of Okonkwo just start pouring out of the pages. To put it simply, he is everything his father wasn't, and he hates everything his father loved. He works all day, and shows very little love towards his family. Once again, all this is caused by his father's dissappointing behavior.

Things Fall Apart: Chapter 1

In this chapter the main character Okonkwo is introduced. He is known throughout the local villages for defeating Amalinze the Cat, who was undefeated for seven years. This fight took place over twenty years ago. The chapter then goes on to introduce Okonkwo's father Unoka, who was nothing like his son. Unoka had died ten years before, and sadly enough Okonkwo seemed quite fine with this. Okonkwo's father had been very well known for building up large debts and never paying them back. A neighbor by the name of Okoye visited two years after lending Unoka money, yet Unoka did not have it. The story then shifts back to Okonkwo, who has been doing very well for himself.

This was a very short chapter in the novel. At this point it seems like the novel is just been introduced and we were being given a background of the events that are to follow. It is clear that Okonkwo despised his father and his laziness, and perhaps that has given him some drive to not be like Unoka.

Wassup

Hey, ya'll, finally got this thing up an runnin'.