WOMAN IN THINGS FALL APART

Go through your notes on gender differences and other websites dealing with gender studies. Based on your reading, reflect on how these women are treated in the novel. The following questions can help you as you write your reflective piece in your blog:

One of the crucial elements of the story is represented through the cultural aspects of the Igbo society and traditions. One example is infrequent mentions of wives in the novel. It can be taken as a demonstration of the limited value of women. The role of the wives in the novel is to be as the bearers of children which can then be taken as a statement that women are actually nothing more than tools of reproduction. For example,Okonkwo had 3 wives and he built one hut for each of them. It also shows the fact that the number of wives a man has also affected the social status. Individuals gain strength from their society or community, and societies derive strength from the individuals who belong to them. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo builds his titles and strength with the support of his society's customs. The novel also depicts women as possessions of men. The freedom enjoyed by men to beat their wives adds to this idea. For example, Okonkwo beats his third wife during the Week Of Peace and he almost killed her.His act,however lead him to be a punishment as his rage disturbs the Week of Peace.

            The role of woman in this novel may not see as important in their society but they contribute to the survival of their culture. As a mother, they produce children to maintain the number of their tribes. Without a woman, the tribe would extinct. Therefore, I am not surprised when the Igbo society allows one man to have many wives. However, the woman does not act as a mother but also as a teacher. They teach their children through storytelling of their folk tales and legends. These stories are an example to keep their culture alive. She told stories to Nwoye as an advice and also to make sure their folk tales and legends would not be forgotten.

            Nowadays, their role is not as a mother or a housewife, but also as a career woman. Most of the women work to support their family and work successfully in the same field of men. For example, a lot of woman works as a teacher,a doctor,an engineer,a policewoman.  It shows the effect of globalization around the world. A lot of changes take place as the society begins to be more open-minded and follow the flow of changes. The society accepts the fact that a The woman’s role is not categorized as a housewife but also as a working woman. The traditional mind set changed as an influence of the development that take place.

ALYSA JULIA