Hello!
Time to start moving past the obvious in our studies of Things Fall Apart.
Tonight, in addition to reading the assigned text, please answer the following question. It's based on a choice that Chinua Achebe makes in the composition of his novel: the choice to integrate many Ibo proverbs in his book.
PROMPT: Please find five proverbs scattered throughout the first 10 chapters of Things Fall Apart, and for each, explain what that proverb reveals about Ibo society (its values, its morals, its norms, its standards, etc.).
NOTE 1: Do not choose proverbs that your peers have already chosen. Make sure by looking at all of the existing responses so far.
NOTE 2: What's a proverb? Look it up!
Have fun!
Learn something!
1. "But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness." (13). This proverb describes the way Okonkwo goes through life and the basis of what he believes his identity is. Everything done by Okonkwo; the way he talks, stands, acts, etc, is all based off of the way that he must be perceived as strong and in complete dominance. This concludes that Ibo is a society that is patriarchal, and ensures that men should always present themselves as powerful figures.
ReplyDelete2. "Okonkwo was ruled by one passion- to hate everything that his father Unoko loved. One of those things was gentleness and another was idleness." (13). This quotation says a lot about how ancestry, especially fatherhood, plays into the development of a male living in Ibo. Okonkwo's feelings strongly suggest this theory, his hatred for his fathers weakness have caused him to develop a personality involving the need for resilience.
3. "No work was done during the Week of Peace. People called on their neighbors and drank palm-wine." (31). The people of Ibo know how stressful their lives are, so they dedicate an entire week for everyone is society to have a break. This makes it clear that the society as a whole is very intent on making sure people get rest from their daily lives. It also makes sure that they perform their duties well, so the Week of Peace can be spent with them thinking about how hard they have worked to achieve this holiday.
4. "Okonkwo had won her heart by throwing the Cat in the greatest contest within living memory." (39). Attractions between men and women in this society are based greatly on a woman's desire for a mans skill. Wrestling matches determine how much a man can really stand his ground, and that sort of skill is something a woman living in Ibo strives for.
5. "...those who palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble. (26) Okonkwo had just called a man a woman, which was not taken lightly by the elders. The society of Ibo is built greatly on the idea of respect.
1. “The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.” (8). This proverb shows that you have to stand up for yourself and prove yourself to be successful. This is a very important trait in Ibo society.
ReplyDelete2. "A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness" (19). This proverb is said to Nwakibie by Okonkwo, in a way of showing respect for Nwakibie and proving Okonkwo's own ambition. This proverb also reveals how much Ibo society values respect.
3. "An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb" (21). This proverb made Okonkwo uneasy because it reminded him of his father. Additionally, this proverb reveals lees about the Ibo society than it does about Okonkwo's interpretation of Nwakibie's joke.
4. "The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did" (21). Okonkwo uses this proverb to convince Nwakibie that he can be trusted with his yams. He claims that he is a hard worker and will not let him down. Furthermore, this shows that Ibo society values confidence, almost to the point of hubris.
5. "The Earth cannot punish me for obeying her messenger." Okonkwo said "A child’s fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which its mother puts into its palm". Okonkwo uses this proverb to justify killing his "son". He says that Obierika cannot be angry for him obeying the oracle.
1. "As the elders said, if a child washed his hands, he could eat with kings" (8). This proverb reveals that in the Ibo society responsibility, such as a child washing their hands, is very important. Also, cleanliness is respected.
ReplyDelete2."And when a man is at peace with his gods and his ancestors, his harvest will be good or bad according to the strength of his arm"(17). In the Ibo society, hard work comes second to the importance of being on good terms with gods and ancestors who look down upon you.
3."A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches"(66). In the Ibo society, almost everything is predetermined. Also, success is a set thing and only certain people are apt to achieve it. Mostly, those who are strong, like cocks, will achieve success.
4."Every man wears the thread of title on his ankle, and does not lose it even if he steals"(70). For the Ibo, title is very important. It is something they always keep with them and it is very hard to change.
5."When mother-cow is chewing grass its young ones watch its mouth"(70-71). It is normal in the Ibo society for children to copy their parents and learn from them by example.
1."If a child washed his hands, he could eat with kings"(8). This proverb represents how cleanliness and sanitation was highly regarded in the Ibo society. In addition, washing hands as a child is also a sign of responsibility. Thus, this proverb represents that welcoming and accepting of new responsibilities that come along with growing up were of high importance to the society.
ReplyDelete2. When a man says yes, his chi does also." (19). In the book, a chi is a personal god. Chi's are often mentioned in the book so far, and are a very apparent concept. This proverb reveals that the Ibo society believes if a man makes decisions his personal god is backing up and supporting them. So, although a "conscience" tries to guide one to the right design, a chi,according to the Ibo society, fully supports a man/woman's right to think for themselves.
3."When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for walk." (10) The moon plays a crucial role in the Ibo Society. To them, it has the quality to give courage and strength, as well as a desire for change. Also, while darkness can often mirror fear and the unknown, the moon, to the Ibo society, is protective and strong.
4. "A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing."(20) This proverb, simply demonstrates that the Ibo society believes that everything happens for a reason. Things do not just happen for no apparent purpose, just as a toad will not run in daytime for no reason.
5. "When mother-cow is chewing grass its young ones watch its mouth"(p. 71). The proverb reveals that the Ibo society believes in the influence parents have over their children. Children, to them, take and learn almost everything from their parents. Weather or not a parents realize it, their children are looking to them for example and guidance all the time.
I accidentally did two the same as Kayla because I was writing mine at the same time as her: Here are two additional proverbs.
ReplyDelete"Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble" (26). Basically, the Ibo society values humbleness. They stress that even though people may be doing things for you, you should never take them for granted and become selfish and cocky.
""Looking at the king's mouth, one would think he never sucked at his mother breasts"
ReplyDeleteThis proverb ponders the gender roles that are part and parcel of a larger theme of this novel. It suggests that a strong man, such as the king, doesn't seem as though they were ever vulnerable or reliant on a woman,
1. “Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to the other, let his wing break.” (19) The people in Okonkwo’s village seem to believe that both the kite and the eagle should be able to fly. In other words, they believe in equal opportunities. That may be true amongst the men, but women are definitely not treated equally.
ReplyDelete2. “Eneke the bird says that since men have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching.” (22) Birds eventually discovered that hunters can shoot accurately when the birds aren’t moving, so they learned to keep moving. The Ibo people are like the birds that have learned to defend themselves from past experiences. In this particular situation, Nwakibie explains how he has become stingy with his yams because of the many untrustworthy men who have asked to borrow yams before.
3. "But I can trust you. I know it as I look at you. As our fathers said, you can tell a ripe corn by its look." (22) How can Nwakibie trust Okonkwo without knowing his true personality and character? Nwakibie determines that Okonkwo is trustworthy just by looking at his strong outer appearance. This proverb reflects the nature of their tribe to judge based on looks.
4. "No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and children (and especially his women) he was not really a man." (53) This proverb emphasizes the discrimination against women and children in Okonkwo’s village. The men should be able to “rule” women and children in order to be successful. The verb “rule” makes it seem that the men own the women and children and a superior beings. The superiority of men to women is a theme that has often been suggested throughout the book so far.
5. “But as the dog said, ‘If I fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is play.’” (73) When Obierika’s family and Akueke’s suitor discuss the bride-price, each side tries to convince the other to increase or decrease the price. Obierka, uses this proverb to tell the suitor’s father, Ukegbu, that he is already going under the price he was thinking of, and is only willing to do so because it is for a friendly marriage. This proverb describes the Ibo people’s belief in the need for give-and-take in order to keep things peaceful.
“Proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten” (7)
ReplyDeletePalm oil serves great significance in the Ibo society and this quotation succeeds to signify proverbs as having great importance in their vocabulary similarly to palm-oil in their society. Ultimately this displays their value of words and their unification being through not only common food, but also common meaningful sayings.
“But as the dog said, ‘If I fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is play.’”(73)
This proverb shows how support can help you achieve happiness and prevent fighting. In the Ibo society they try to encourage a healthy marriage and “the dog” suggests that if both partners are putting equal efforts into it, problems and obstacles can be resolved together.
“As our fathers said, you can tell a ripe corn by its look (22).
This is what Nwakibie tells Okonkwo before giving him the many Yams. It shows that maturity is visible and needed to prevent taking things for granted. It reflects on the Ibo society by showing how Yams are so essential yet sharing or rather giving them away is good as long as it is seen that one genuinely needs it and will appreciate it rather than waste or take it for granted.
"A proud heart can survive general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. It is more difficult and more bitter when a man fails alone."(25) This quote plays significance in that it displays that a proud man can blame others and consequently not hurt his pride or confidence but when failing alone, the fault is all on him and mixed with the lack of support, it ultimately lowers his confidence and pride. This displays the significance of unification in Iba and how important it is to have support during failure, yet how easily others can influence your effect.
"Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too."
This quotation displays the desire for everyone to succeed despite their differences. It shows that in the Ibo society, they wish for not only a great harvest or health upon themselves, but overall success and happiness among not only the “kite” but also the “eagle”.