Women in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe - 534 Words

The women in Things Fall Apart may seem to be an oppressed group with little power which is true to some extent with the way some women are treated. This characterization of Ibo women is limiting, but when more in depth in the book it shows the divers roles of women, and how important the women are to their tribes. The women in the tribes are sometimes shown as the weak ones of the group but when these women are the foundation, nurturers, and caretakers of the tribe that shows the great responsibility they have and how important they are. Women in the tribe are powerful especially when it comes down to their religion. Women routinely preform the role of priestess. â€Å"The priestess in those days was a woman called Chika. She was full of the power of her god, and she was greatly feared† (Achebe 17). In the book this is a flashback to Okonkwo’s childhood. Now in the present the priest is still a women named Chielo. You are to treat the priestess with great respect. When Chielo wants to see Okonkwo’s daughter Ezinma and take her to see Agabala. When Okonkwo refuses because his daughter is sleeping Chielo becomes angry. â€Å"Beware of exchanging words with Agabala. Does a man speak when a god speaks? Beware!† (Achebe 101). This is where we see a women not only ordering Okonkwo to give her his daughter, but also threatening him as well. Okonkwo allows this is also evidence that the priestess has much power and is respected. In chapter 5 the tribe gives thanks to Ani, yet anotherShow MoreRelatedEssay about Role of Women in Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe1453 Words   |  6 Pages The role of women in society has grown and changed tremendously with the development of the world. Within the American culture, women’s rights have expanded to the extent of being able to vote for who runs our country or even possibly being the person that does run our country. 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This paper is an attempt to explore the Ibo culture and to discuss women as a marginalized group in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Things Fall Apart is a 1958 English novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. Achebe is indebted to Yeats for the title as it has been taken from Yeats’ poem The Second Coming. Achebe is a fastidious, skillful artist and garnered more critical attention than any other African writer. His reputation was soon established after his novel Things Fall ApartRead MoreThings Falll Apart by Chinua Achebe1082 Words   |  4 PagesThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a story that portrays the tensions between the white Colonial Government and native-born people of Umuofia. Okonkwo, the main character, and a great village man is highly respected in the Igbo tribe of Umuofia. Although, Okonkwo is highly respected by the Igbo people, they are fearful of him because of his violent anger. When the Europeans arrived in Umuofia, they brought with them a new religion: Christianity. The Westerners changed Umuofia, destroyed tradition