Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart - 1183 Words

Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, once said, â€Å"When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool.† In his novel Things Fall Apart, Achebe depicts the impact of one story on the Igbo society, how stereotypes heavily influenced the perspective of the Europeans who came to exploit Africa, and how Africans struggled to get their voice heard. The novel is about a violent and independent man named Okonkwo, and how his religion, power, and identity was disrupted by the emergence of the Europeans that discarded the laws he followed. Achebe satisfies his purpose of giving Africans a voice in their story by contradicting commonly held stereotypes about Africa such as their animal-like behaviors, their lack of deep intellectual understandings, and their low-ranked position compared to others. He achieves his goals by setting his story in a realistic setting and lightning the rich culture and tradi tions of the Igbo people. In many people s eyes, Africa is a land of endless wars, sufferings, and people that are far from the standards of the Western civilization, but nothing beyond that. In reality, Africa is full of diverse and different aspects of life. Africa has its own unique culture that was not gained from the Europeans. Achebe says, â€Å"A sudden hush had fallen on the women, who had been talking†¦.Nwoye had heard that twins were put in earthenware pots and thrown away in the forest† (Achebe 61).Show MoreRelatedChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1719 Words   |  7 PagesThings fall apart is a classic novel written around the turn of the century, the novel focuses on the protagonist who we can also call a hero, Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a wealthy and respected leader within the Igbo tribe of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria. Strong individual with a passionate belief in all the values and traditions of his people. Chinua Achebe presents Okonkwo as a particular kind of tragic protagonist, a great man who carries the fate of his people. Okonkwo is a man who is inflexible andRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1033 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Chinua Achebe is a famous Nigerian novelist in worldwide. Things fall apart is Chinua Achebe’s first novel published in 1958, the year after Ghana became the first African nation to gain independence. And this novel is one of the first African novels to gain worldwide recognition. (Phil Mongredien, 2010) This novel presents people a story of an African Igbo tribal hero, Okonkwo, from his growth to death. The fate of Okonkwo also indicates the fate of Africa caused by the colonizationRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart883 Words   |  4 Pagesdehumanize the native population and convince themselves that they are helping. Chinua Achebe’s book Things Fall Apart attempts to correct these misguided views of African societies by portraying a more complex culture that values peace, and the art of conversation. Achebe also tries to portray the idea that not all European people they come in contact with are aggressive, and misconstrued in their view of the African societ ies. Achebe tries to show us the value of his society through repeated views into conversationsRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1410 Words   |  6 PagesTeddy Manfre Ms. Blass ENG 209-001 April 24, 2017 Things Fall Apart In 1958, Chinua Achebe a famous Nigerian author publishes one of his most famous novels Things Fall Apart. The novel takes place in a Nigerian village called Umuofia. During the time that this novel is published Nigeria is being criticized by the Europeans for being uncivilized. In response, Achebe uses his brilliance in this novel to express the valued history of his people to his audience. His focus in the novel is on the pre-colonizedRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1015 Words   |  5 PagesIn his novel Things Fall Apart, author Chinua Achebe utilizes his distinctive writing style in order to accurately capture the culture and customs of the Igbo people despite writing his story in a foreign language. Five aspects of Achebe’s style that make his writing unique is the straightforward diction present in dialogue, the inclusion of native parables convey Igbo life authentically, the inclusion of native Igbo words and phrases, detailed descriptions of nature and the usage of figurative languageRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1702 Words   |  7 PagesTitle: Things Fall Apart Biographical information about the author: Chinua Achebe was born in Nigeria in 1930. He had an early career as a radio host, and later became the Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nigeria. After moving to America, he became an English professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Achebe has won numerous awards for his poetry and fiction, including the Man Booker prize and Commonwealth Poetry Price. He currently teaches at Bard College. Author: Chinua AchebeRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1347 Words   |  6 PagesCulture is an Important Element of Society Chinua Achebe is the author of when Things Fall Apart while Joseph Conrad authored Heart of Darkness. Conrad and Achebe set their individual titles in Africa; Achebe is an African writer whereas Conrad is Polish-British. The authors draw strength from their backgrounds to validity the authenticity of their fictional novels. Conrad writes from his experiences in the British and French navies while Achebe uses his African heritage. The theme of culture isRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1248 Words   |  5 PagesChris Lowndes Ms. Cook A.P.L.C. 21 October 2015 We Are Family: Hardships in One s Family in Things Fall Apart Specific attributes correlate with each other to help create or not create the ideal strong family. However, through those attributes arise conflicts and major disputes. This issue of trying to achieve and create a strong family is of immense importance in one’s life, especially in Chinua Achebe’s, Things Fall Apart, a milestone in African literature. For instance, the father leaves his legacyRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1682 Words   |  7 Pagescertain degree of the priest class, libation, holidays, creation stories, divine systems of punishments and rewards. In the novel, Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe, is a story of tragic fall of a protagonist and the Igbo culture. Achebe demonstrates different examples and situations of where an African culture, in the instances of tribal religions, did certain things because of their tradition is and the way they developed into. African cultures pondered life mysteries and articulated theirRead Mo reChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1314 Words   |  6 PagesChinua Achebe masterpiece â€Å"Things Fall Apart† (1959) is the classic story of Okonkwo, a young man who strives to be revered by his village and family but because of his own internal character flaws meets his own demise. In the Igbo culture, family traditions are an important narrative throughout the novel. Okonkwo, the protagonist character of this story, begins with many attributes of what would be concluded as a hero with his cultural society. He is hard working, a material provider, feared and

Essay on Human Rights, War and Terrorism - 1226 Words

Human Rights, War and Terrorism After every war come the peace talks; after millions of people had been killed. After the terrorist attacks comes the investigation, reason, or counter-terrorism; after lives had been wasted. There is time for the nations of the world to come together to understand one another in order to avoid war and terrorism and that time is now. War is as old as man. It is a reign of terror when people are always on the run, always hungry, always cold, and homeless and killed in hundreds, thousands, and sometimes in millions. War and terrorism are almost synonymous since the result of both is the loss of lives. It is said that when lessons are not learnt from historical event,†¦show more content†¦HUMAN RIGHTS, WAR AND TERRORISM: THE WAY FORWARD ================================================ Human rights are things which belong to us simply because we are human beings. Human rights are about you, me, us, them, and how we should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. The foundation of human rights is based on freedom, justice and peace. Human rights as a whole can be traced to the Divine laws, the African communal concept, natural law school of thought, the socialist/Marxist concept, the positivist school, the sociological school of thought, etc. Human rights violations are carried out by governments on their citizens and also rampant in international politics. All human rights are important. All human rights are universal, interrelated, interdependent and indivisible. For example, the rights to life, right to health and right to peace all go hand in hand. A country at war disrespects its citizens right to life and as such cannot guarantee the right to peace or the right to health of those that are wounded on the battle field. The recognition of war as an alternative means of solving disputes runs contrary to the principles of human rights. The justification of any war is relative. The shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines war as any hostile contention by means of armed forces,Show MoreRelatedEssay Human Rights Violations in the War on Terrorism1036 Words   |  5 Pagesthat violate human rights in order to wage the war on terrorism. These policies include the adoption of new security measures, the poor treatment of captured fighters at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, and the willingness of the Bush administration to overlook human rights violations in other countries in return for their support in the war on terrorism. When the enemy is faceless, as it is in the United States fight against terror, there is a tendency to violate human rights in order to identifyRead MoreTerrorism Has Been Used For Centuries As A Weapon Of Change1074 Words   |  5 PagesTerrorism has been used for centuries as a weapon of change. Terrorism used to force change even altered the English language, the creation of the word assassin because of the Hashhashin’s in the 11th century and the Roman’s use of decimation changing the meaning from killing one in ten to massacring all involved. Much of early terrorism was based on nationalist or ethnic groups, which had exhausted all other options while reaching for political freedom and therefore resorted to violence. The mostRead MoreIndian Constitution Provides Us Rights, Responsibility, And Duty821 Words   |  4 PagesIndian Constitution provides us rights, responsibility, and duty. As per our constitution every Indian must uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. The current rhetoric in India is bit bitter towards our great nation. Few people saying, we need one more partition which will never happen. The free speech is soul of any democracy. There is no question in my mind that anyone has to prove how much you love India. We do not need to handover patriotic certificate to each otherRead MoreA Global Perspective Of Beat Terrorism1420 Words   |  6 PagesHow to use a Global Perspective to beat Terrorism On July 14th, 2016, France suffered a devastating terrorist attack as a truck driver targeted his vehicle against the citizens of Nice, killing more than 50 people and injuring several more. Although 2016 has not ended, the world has suffered more terrorist attacks this year than any other year in history (Dorell). The group spearheading terrorist attacks in recent years is the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, a radical Sunni Muslim organizationRead MoreThe war on terror Essay1291 Words   |  6 PagesEver since the beginning of the terrorist attacks on American soil, the War on Terror has been involved in the lives of Americans and nations near us. The War on Terror’s background originated through conflicts between warring countries in the Middle East; U.S. involvement started when a terrorist guided plane crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 in New York City. The attack was suspected to be the work of the middle-eastern terrorist group Al-Qaeda. The U .S. military, underRead MoreInternational Terrorism - the Worlds Greatest Challenge Today?680 Words   |  3 PagesInternational Terrorism – The World’s Greatest Challenge Today Today the threat of terrorism is becoming more and more serious. Terrorism is considered the greatest threat against the safety of the world, and especially the USA, today. The extent of the terrorism has increased significantly over the last couple of years, since the terrorist attacks against the US on the 11th of September 2001. After these attacks former president of the US, George Bush declared a war against terrorism. There areRead MoreU.s. Department Of Homeland Security1261 Words   |  6 Pagesforesight. War on Terrorism â€Å"War on terror is a misnomer. It would be like calling America’s involvement in World War II a â€Å"war on kamikazism.† Terrorism, like kamikazism, is a tactic,† Dinesh D’Souza, an Indian public speaker once noted. It goes without saying that terrorist actions do not appear suddenly, by someone’s unexpected insight. Actually, terrorism is a tactic that is built on the solid fundament of its inner complex philosophy. There are certainly a number of reasons for terrorism to liveRead MoreLiberalism And The United Nations878 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Self-interest† has two definitions in accordance to liberalism and realism. Liberalism considers the measure of power within states through stable economies, the possibility of peace and cooperation, as well as the concepts of political freedoms (human rights). Realism believes states are driven by competitive self-interest; international organizations hold little to no real influence be cause states are self-preserved. International relations is governed by states acting in their self-interest throughRead MoreRelevance Of Sovereignty And The Threat Of Terrorism Essay1482 Words   |  6 Pagesexpanding necessity of humanitarian intervention along with eliminating the threat of terrorism. Sovereignty, as defined in the Westphalian sense, is only useful today in international politics to the extent that states still require justification for their interventions, heavily varying from the idea of state supremacy within its borders. Globalization alongside intricate international affairs, such as terrorism and humanitarian intervention, largely influence current sovereignty norms. ConventionalRead More The Approach of U.S. Foreign Policy and Terrorism Essay1336 Words   |  6 PagesThe Approach of U.S. Foreign Policy and Terrorism U.S. foreign policy is plunging head first in its war on terrorism. Our focus is expanding and including various dynamics that harbor American interests. By broadening our focus in our war on terrorism, we are beginning to spread ourselves too thin. Therefore, we risk the danger of fighting too many battles at once. Terrorism is a large issue that American foreign policy will not be able to tackle in the manner it has set out

Comparing the Tragic Heros in Antigone and Julius Essay Example For Students

Comparing the Tragic Heros in Antigone and Julius Essay Caesar comparison compare contrast essaysThe Tragic Heros in Antigone and Julius Caesar The two plays, Antigone and Julius Caesar both contained two very similar characters. In Antigone the nobleman, Creon, claimed the thrown after his nephews, heirs to Thebes killed each other in battle. Assuming that the populous was going to find him inadequate he laid a strict rule in order to keep the people under his control. Creon wanted Thebes to prosper and grow and was willing to do anything to achieve this. Through a chain of events Creon killed his entire family. Brutus, a senator in William Shakespeares play Julius Caesar, claims the life of Julius Caesar in order to preserve Rome, his country and home. He puts aside his love for his comrade; Caesar to do what he felt was best. Both of these characters, Creon and Brutus, clearly felt compelled to do what each felt was preeminent for their country. Creon and Brutus both shared high position in the governments of their countries, maint aining power and some level of control. Both of the two, when faced with the threat of losing control turned to unjustified courses of action. Creon threatened death to anyone who defied his rule, fearing that mass hysteria would follow. Brutus on the other had, while less extreme, found that when an overly ambitious ruler threatened Rome the only possible answer was murder. They resorted to the actions with true zeal and completely believed in their cause. Sincerity makes each character share the same beliefs in what they were doing. The countrys well-being was the only thing on the leaders mind. The drive for excellence, in all areas of life, such as honesty was prevalent in both Brutus and Creon. Based upon the fact that each was open with the citizens in their cities and the way they dictated their decisions. When Brutus comes to the people with the body of Caesar he never claims innocence, but asks the plebeians if he has offended anyone. The law that Creon provides for his pe ople is straightforward; do not disturb the body of Polyneices. The citizens of each play were torn between accepting the truth of what each man offers to the country and justice for murder. Creon on one hand was respected by some of his populous Once Creon was a man worthy of envy/of my envy, at least. For he saved this city/of Thebes from her enemies, and attained/the throne of the land, with all a kings power. /He guided it right. His race bloomed/with good children. But when a man forfeits joy/I do not count his life as life, but only/a life trapped within a corpse (lines 1233 -1240). Brutus swayed half of his community as well. When he allows Antony to speak at Caesars funeral, only few remained loyal. The tragic flaw of both characters was taking the wrong roads to get to the right place. Each have justifiable causes, but do the ends justify their means? Creon and Brutus were only trying to save what they stood for, their country. Was justice served to each? Brutus, met death by his own sword and Creon is left to remorse the loss of loved ones. Because they each want the best for their nation, they are consumed by their means to uphold their cause. Brutus, a senator in William Shakespeares play Julius Caesar, claims the life of Julius Caesar in order to preserve Rome, his country and home. He puts aside his love for his comrade; Caesar to do what he felt was best. Both of these characters, Creon and Brutus, clearly felt compelled to do what each felt was preeminent for their country. Creon and Brutus both shared high position in the governments of their countries, maintaining power and some level of control. Both of the two, when faced with the threat of losing control turned to unjustified courses of action. Creon threatened death to anyone who defied his rule, fearing that mass hysteria would follow. Brutus on the other had, while less extreme, found that when an overly ambitious ruler threatened Rome the only possible answer was murder. They resorted to the actions with true zeal and completely believed in their cause. Sincerity makes each character share the same beliefs in what they were doing. The countrys well-being was the only thing on the leaders mind. The drive for excellence, in all areas of life, such as honesty was prevalent in both Brutus and Creon. Based upon the fact that each was open with the citizens in their cities and the way they dictated their decisions. When Brutus comes to the people with the body of Caesar he never claims innocence, but asks the plebeians if he has offended anyone. The law that Creon provides for his people is straightforward; do not disturb the body of Polyneices. The citizens of each play were torn between accepting the truth of what each man offers to the country and justice for murder. Creon on one hand was respected by some of his populous Once Creon was a man worthy of envy/of my envy, at least. For he saved this city/of Thebes from her enemies, and attained/the throne of the land, with all a kings power. /He guided it right. His race bloomed/with good children. But when a man forfeits joy/I do not count his life as life, but only/a life trapped within a corpse (lines 1233 -1240). Brutus swayed half of his community as well. When he allows Antony to speak at Caesars funeral, only few remained loyal. The tragic flaw of both characters was taking the wrong roads to get to the right place. Each have justifiable causes, but do the ends justify their means? Creon and Brutus were only trying to save what they stood for, their country. Was justice served to each? Brutus, met death by his own sword and Creon is left to remorse the loss of loved ones. Because they each want the best for their nation, they are consumed by their means to uphold their cause. .

Read Chapter Three Again Of The Great Gatsby Essay Example

Read Chapter Three Again Of The Great Gatsby Paper We often see this technique when Nick refers to Gatsby, especially in this sentence: By seven oclock the orchestra has arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitiful Of oboes ND trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums. Fitzgerald could have just used commas, but the and is significant as it displays the wasteful extravagant life Gatsby leads and all the materialistic items he has. It is endless and on-going suggesting is money is eternal and that there is more to be seen of what his money can buy. Calceolaria is the meaningless repetition of another persons spoken words as a symptom of psychiatric disorder. In this context, its the uncontrollable repetition of voices and rumors. I think he killed a man and he told me once he was an Oxford man implies that there is a mystery to Gatsby, as no one seems to know who he actually is and what he does. These rumors, in fact, create a status to which the reader presumes Gatsby is of. Throughout this chapter, there is a lot of speculation about Gatsby and who he could be. Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once, he was a German spy during the waif and someone even knew all about him. All this gossip conjures curiosity about Gatsby and forces the reader to want to know who Gatsby is and where he is. Gatsby is also show to be an object of nuance, along with speculation; there were whispers about him from those who had found little that it was necessary to whisper in this world. Not only is the word whisper mystical, the allite ration of the letter w creates a soft and majestic tone and creates a mystery towards Gatsby which only reading on can revel. We will write a custom essay sample on Read Chapter Three Again Of The Great Gatsby specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Read Chapter Three Again Of The Great Gatsby specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Read Chapter Three Again Of The Great Gatsby specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer At the beginning of the chapter, we can see the enormity of Gatsby wealth by the use of possessive pronouns. Gatsby has: blue gardens, a raff filled with guests, a beach, motor-boats, a Rolls-Royce and a station wagon. These items are all his. This effect exemplifies Gatsby excessive lifestyle. Because it is used at the beginning of the chapter, we are introduced into a pleasurable lifestyle, drinking champagne and partying everyday. There is no substance of character in this life, which perhaps represents America in the nineteen twenties to be a sham. The letter is repeated at the start of the chapter. For example: Gatsby, garden, garnished, glistening, gold, gins and guests. This creates an effect of harsh metallic gold clanging together. This illustrates how overwhelmingly wealthy Gatsby is and symbolizes the exclusive wealth Gatsby holds. The chapter, as weve seen, starts off introducing Gatsby possessions. Nick is a retrospective writer. He often looks back at what he says and almost filters his words so he doesnt contradict that he reserves all judgment. However it is difficult to tell that Nick is an honest author, or not. Nick says looking over what have written suggests that he is particulate about his choice of words and this makes us skeptical whether we should trust or further study his reliability as an author. Nick is also satirical about the nineteen twenties. He, throughout the chapter, gives nineteen twenties excessive lifestyle a bad name. Girls in yellow suggests that they are clownish and have no sense of maturity and that the women of that time were a mumble. Therefore this implies society was all over the place and had no sense of direction or sense of maturity to even hold an intelligent conversation. As the chapter progresses, the reader sees a change in pattern. The reader sees people start weeping, the tears coursed down her cheeks showing how sad people have become at the party. To add on, fights start to break out, she ad a fight with a man who says hes her husband. We then get to see women were now having fights with men said to be their husbands. The whole party has become a mess, a disorganized, disharmonious and disillusioned mess. Gatsby has perhaps done this to show the wild excess and drunkenness at Gatsby parties, suggesting Fitzgerald wanted to give a sense of both the depravity and the hedonism of the wealthy nineteen twenties America. Theres a sharp contrast between the guests bad behavior, as seen above, and the magical surroundings, the sound of his still glowing garden. This highlights both Nick and Fitzgerald simultaneous attraction and repulsion for the era. Just before the denouement of the chapter, Jordan and Nick are in a car together and it seems that Jordan is a rotten driver. Jordan has no intention of being a responsible driver as she relies on the sensibility of surrounding drivers, It takes two to make an accident. This is a mirror image of the rich not caring for others and the irresponsibility. This car ride foreshadows the death of Myrtle later on in the novel, likewise due to the thoughtless driving of a driver. Although Jordan is uncaring for her surroundings, Nick is especially cautious at this point as he insists she ought to be more careful or she oughtnt to drive at all. Nicks reaction to Cordons careless driving is to some extent warning the reader that due to careless driving there might be an accident later on in the novel. Suppose you met somebody just as careless as yourself. Which means that the other careless person could be the woman running into the road and is murdered. When Gatsby finally meets Gatsby, time halts and a mini second becomes eternal. It is as if its love at first sight. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it. Gatsby smile seems to give Nick an impassioned rush. Time elongating illustrates that they are the only people in the world and in that moment. It is a romantic snippet for Nick, but the focus is more on Nick as Gatsby is Romantic mirror. He would like to see them as alike because they both seem to be isolated. Gatsby stands alone at the edge of his party. The wilder the party gets, the more Gatsby seems like an outsider. Likewise, in New York Nick suffers from a haunting loneliness. He imagines entering the lives of romantic women but never acts on his desires. Nick wants to be involved but remains an outsider. Fitzgerald has maybe done this in order to make a link between the two that they are the same man looking for the social connections and social standing of the East Egg community. But they fail at the attempt. In Conclusion, I think that Nick presents the people and party in the chapter to be a complete meltdown and a foreshadow of the awful events that are yet to come. Nick is an unreliable author and the reader needs to be aware of that and be careful Of which parts Nick says to trust.