Things Fall Apart (Essay Sample)

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Things Fall Apart
Things fall apart has its origins in Nigeria; it talks about the Nigerian society and what goes on in thatsociety. It makes a reader get a picture of the practices that take place in the setting of the village. It gives a vivid description of the characters and the activities that they are engaged in to bring the story to life. While reading the novel, a reader will familiarize with the happenings in the society presented in the novel. It is in this context that Chinua Achebe brings out the positions that both male and female genders take in that society. The novel seeks to give more knowledge and understanding bout Okonko’s society. The noveldepicts how men view themselves in the society during Okwonko’s time. Women during the time of Okonkwo were taken to be like cattle or machinery. They were seen as properties that were owned by the men. Women were to be owned and perform duties, according to the wishes of their men. In the Igbo culture, the role of women, as depicted by Chinua Achebe, shows that they were seen to occupy a different space as compared to their male counterparts. In the book we get to see how women are treated badly and as being second to men. It evidently portrays the weak and strong aspect of woman in the society. It shows that woman cannot make decisions for the society as it is seen as a reserve for the men only.
Okonkwo’s second wife Ekwefi was taken as property by her parents and the elders. She loved Okonkwo and wanted to be married by him, but since Okonkwo had no wealth that could enable him to pay the bride price Ekwefi was married elsewhere. It shows that the role of women in the society is like that of cattle and machinery, because their fate is determined by the amount of price a man can pay to the parents. When Okonkwo turns out to be renowned through his wrestling match, she goes back to him, and the society does not frown at that. The reason being that Okonkwo was now richer than the man she had married. She went to be the second wife, the same night she is beaten thoroughly by Okonkwo just like the other wives that he has. It shows that the men treat the women in Igbo culture as their property rather than their counterparts. That explains the factual reason as to why, women are beaten up by their husbands at the slightest provocation, and nothing can be done. Furthermore, women were seen as the occupants of the kitchen to prepare meals for their men and ensure that they are comfortable. The role of women in that society was to bear and take care of the children for men in the Igbo culture. Women in the society in which Okonkwo was viewed as being the most powerful man, had no chance of expressing themselves openly to their husbands. It was only Okonkwo’s second wife who could answer back but she would be punished thoroughly.
The role of women in the Igbo society is like that of machinery where they are expected to work, and there is no reward for the good job that they do. In most cases, women are considered as the main cause of downfall of people in the society. They are seen as people who should always follow the instruction without disobeying the commands from their men. For example, Okonkwo’s wives must respect his every word without question. It is the reason Okonkwo could not show open lover to his daughter Ezinma who was the only child ...