AN AVALANCHE OF CRITICAL COMMENTARY OF AHIARA DECLARATION CONTINUED UNABATED. General Ojukwu deeply accepted all criticism. He knew his people well- he knew that Igbos are ungovernable, so he allowed free flow of all criticisms. It's really lubricating and didactic to listen to more critical analysis from all sides: A Chaplain of Ihiala Catholic Church warned his congregation to be careful of what the Igbos are bargaining for..... a philosophical reference to Ojukwu's Ahiara Declaration: "Is this another white man in black man's skin? He seems to be preaching the credo of political and Economical Purity here on Earth? Is this another Iron Law of Oligarchy, an Igbo Arm-chair philosopher soliloquizing?" Chaplain Odogwu criticized in mockery …show more content…
We can't afford that now." "How about your reaction to Ojukwu, the General?" questioned another press man. General Ojukwu is as tough as a nail..... He is indestructible. He's done a lot for his people. I believe he's the best man for the emerging nation. He protected the Igbo tribe from "another Jewish holocaust- total destruction", the Pharmacist responded, looking physically frail and tired, but was smiling impishly all along. "General Gowon, any opinion on him?" "Yes, Gowon, good natured, moral man, but he was caught up between the Devil and the Deep Sea" between a web of British Expansionist Diplomacy and the Nigerian's historic tribal wranglings." Dr.Madubuike, Dean of students added. "Should General Gowon be blamed for the action he took?" "To some extent, yes, though he's obnoxious to have refused to implement the most celebrated "Aburi Accord", - the bone of contention; he was indifferent to reason, turned his back against all the proposed Peace Incentives and was implacably bent on "coupe-de-main." {Dr. Okabekwa,New York, a Psychiatrist] "Would you characterize Gowon …show more content…
"Would women have some place in your future democratic government?" "Yes, Ojukwu responded with some sense of credulity..... whether in a military regime or civil, a democratic government cannot succeed if it devalues women. We don't have women in more responsible positions because of the nature of the war..... We hope to remedy this in the next Biafra Administration..... Such positions are woefully missing in the other Republic, but we will never maintain a patriarchal society." Amidst the press interview, Ojukwu's ADC came and talked to him briefly about what was perceived as an Emergency- Ojukwu followed him to a standing Army Jeep with a mobile secured phone- Colonel Achuzie told Ojukwu about a "menacing, bloody battle that was raging in all fronts." The press conference was called off. The afternoon was sweltering with the Equatorial Sunlight- ALL wasn't well with the Biafran military. "The situation needs some surgical treatment..... to be better handled by you." Achuzie revealed to General Ojukwu in a quivering but determined voice of a battle- hardened
The novel "Thing's fall apart" by Chinua Achebe is a complex work that masterfully establishes and develops characters through their experience with cultural collision. The way that Achebe accomplishes carefully weaving his implicit claim throughout the work is such a beautiful subtlety that it deserves to be analyzed. The Igbo's pride is constantly challenged by the colonizers as they gain increasingly more power in Africa. The idea of pride is constantly developed throughout the thoughts and actions of the novels protagonist Okonkwo. His response to the colonizers is influenced by his own views on pride and is used by Achebe to illustrate his own opinion on pride.
Thus the reader is once again let down, and left wondering whether there is anyone in Africa who can fit the mold of the leader required. Midway throughout Stephen Kumalo’s journey, the reader is told about a young man named Arthur Jarvis, a staunch opponent of South Africa’s racial injustices who was shot and killed. Much to the reader’s dismay, the more they learn about Arthur Jarvis, the more they mourn his death as Arthur Jarvis embodies all the qualities needed for a
How do the British attempt to raise their own perception of “civilization” over that of the colonial subject? 4.How does Okonkwo retain his pride and cultural identity during the British colonial occupation? What cultural and social values make him less susceptible to British colonial tyranny? 5.How does Okonkwo’s understanding of the family unit define his role as a member of Igbo tribe? What indigenous values in African tribes provide a framework for tribal customs in contrast the white European family values that are imposed on him and his family?
Also, later on, a meeting is called with people from all of the nine villages in attendance. Okonkwo and his friend, Obierika, are looking for Egonwanne, a man Okonkwo believes will cause trouble and suggest against going to war. When asked how he knows that this man will be a problem, Okonkwo replies, “Because I know he is a coward” (Achebe 202). Because of who his father was, Okonkwo does not like anyone who is a coward. Therefore, he unjustly does not like this man.
Okonkwo wanted his tribe to fight back the missionaries in order to protect their Igbo culture but his persistence only led to his downfall. This can be seen when Okonkwo makes a rash decision to kill a messenger thinking Umuofia would fight back but ended up not fighting, “The white man whose power you know too well has ordered this meeting to stop.” In a flash, Okonkwo drew his machete. The messenger crouched to avoid the blow. It was useless.
A struggle for power between any two or more groups of people in a society can lead to more damage and sever relations between people. Moreover, it can lead to tragic endings, much like the way Okonkwo’s relationship with Nwoye was lost forever. The concept of men being superior and women being inferior and weak is seen in many cultures, including Igbo society. Because gender roles have both advantages and disadvantages, gender-specific stereotypes are integrated in many different societies, similar to the ones prevalent in
That was held first came to know that Agbala was only another name for a woman that also mean a man who had taken the title” Achebe 15. Okonkwo not only was verbally abusive to his wife, but was verbally abusive to his oldest child; Nwoye. Okonkwo mentally killed the woman, through his words and thoughts. He had power and reign, through his words and how he treated the
We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” In which achebe’s purpose was to condemn the white colonists for altering the Igbo culture, religion, "Igbo." - Introduction, Location,
The speech, “The Black Revolution”, uses many examples such as agitation, propaganda, rhetorical schemes, and alliteration. The main idea of the speech he presented to onlookers at a church called Abyssinian Baptist Church, was to target the audience’s emotions. Using rhetorical devices, he was able to engage in their emotions; this method was very effective. His speech spoke about the international affairs happening around the 1960’s.
In the Ibo hierarchal society, women are the subject of unequal treatment and patronization. They are considered weak and are not given any power. As the novel, Things Fall Apart unravels, the author, Chinua Achebe reveals the distinct attributes of femininity. Feminine traits are also viewed with disdain in Umuofian society, especially by the protagonist of the novel, Okonkwo. His past experiences shape his disposition and give rise to his stereotypical mentality; however, several events contradict the prevalent perspective of women, leading to Okonkwo facing conflicts within himself.
In Igbo culture it is acceptable to beat women and look down upon them? Women are below men in this culture and in the eyes of the Europeans that is wrong. In Things Fall Apart sexism is shown in many ways such as the abuse of women, social expectations and the power of males. But the Igbo culture views that as normal while the rest of the world despises the cultures way of treating women. Although Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart shows traces of gender equality among the Igbo, the European audience views the culture as sexist.
Religion in Things Fall Apart Religion is the belief in a greater power, which shapes the way someone lives their life. Religion can bring people together, or it can pull them apart. The novel Things Fall Apart, a work by Chinua Achebe, is about a man named Okonkwo and how he and his village deal with the colonization of Christianity. In the end, it pulled Okonkwo away from his people, leading him to his death.
Feminist Theory In Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”, they recognize the life of the Igbos which are a tribe in the village of Umuofia during European colonization. There are many topics brought up in this book like the effects of colonization, culture and tradition, religion, race, etc. It is relatively easy to read “Things Fall Apart” as an anti-feminist text due to the face that the Igbo clan’s customs and traditions seem to side towards masculine features, such as power and strength. The novel is told through a male protagonist’s point of view in nineteenth century Nigeria, while women there do not have much rights, they do wield heavy influence over the leaders of the clan.
The second chapter of the novel, there is an indication of violence when “A general with a strong Hausa accent came on and announced that there had been a coup and that [they had] a new government” (Adichie, 2004, p.24). In this phrase we get an idea of what is currently happening in Nigeria and how it is politically driven. The military uses its power to
Chinua Achebe’s 1958 literary classic, Things Fall Apart (Achebe, 1958), is renowned for its authentic account of the black African experience. Set in post-colonial Nigeria, the fictional novel discusses the cultural roots of the Igbos and follows the life of the tragic hero, Okonkwo. This acclaimed novel deals with strong patriarchal ideals of masculinity within the Igbo culture and how Okonkwo is a direct manifestation of this. Achebe depicts the relationship between masculinity and both male and female characters, and how this, in turn, has an effect on Okonkwo’s relationships. The strongest relationship in the novel is between father (Okonkwo) and daughter (Ezinma); their bond is strong because Ezinma is everything Okonkwo would want in a son.