In this next passage of Things Fall Apart, I especially noticed the style of Chinua Achebe's writing. He tells the story of Okonkwo and the many people affected by his life through the use of third-person omniscient. With this style, we get to see some of Okonkwo's unexpected emotions that other characters don't get to see, and would not realize he has. Especially after Okonkwo played a part in Ikemefuna's death, we notice that he actually feels pain and sadness towards Ikemefuna's death. Okonkwo actually cared for this boy, who was like a son, but he does not allow other people to see his sadness, for fear that it is a weakness. Through the use of this point of view, we know that Okonkwo truly does have emotions, and we can hate his character a little less. Seeing Okonkwo sad makes you want to feel bad for him and forget all of the horrible things he has done.
Although Okonkwo is the main focus of the story, we also have to have an insight into what the other characters think about Okonkwo. The story stays third person omniscient, but it shifts perspective between the many characters to show Okonkwo's impact on their lives.
One of the main style components used in this book is the use of flashbacks and stories. As something is happening in the present, Achebe ties in memories from the past that relate to the current situation. When Ezinma is sick, there is a flashback to when Ekwefi's children kept dying.
"At last Ezinma was born, and although ailing she seemed determined to live. At first, Ekwefi accepted her, as she had accepted others- with listless resignation. But when she lived on to her fourth, fifth, and sixth years, love returned once more to her mother, and, with love, anxiety." Pg 79
Through the usage of flashbacks, the reader understands that Ekwefi is so protective and close to her daughter because of her past children dying. Stories are also a key style component to the book because they relate to their religion and culture. For the Ibo people, like Okonkwo, religion is extremely important in their lives, so their stories are always based on their gods and religion. Especially with the mothers and children, stories are told often throughout the book. Nwoye's mother tells him a story of the Sky withholding rain from Earth until Vulture brings rain. By telling stories, Achebe stresses the importance of religion in every aspect of their lives.
Achebe also uses devices like simile and irony throughout the book as well. The audience knows that Ikemefuna is walking to his death, but he believes he is going home, and also wonders if his mother is going to be dead. This dramatic irony is one of the reasons why the point of view is third-person omniscient. When Okonkwo talks about his son, Nwoye,
"He grew rapidly like a yam tendril in the rainy season, and was full of the sap of life." Pg 52
Achebe's style of writing is very realistic. Although some parts of their religion may seem unrealistic to some people, to the Ibo people, it is nothing out of the ordinary. In a way, it is unrealistic to us, but it is realistic to the characters.
I agree that this section of reading really shows Okonkwo's feelings. Though he is no explicit with his feelings, we can see that after Ikemefuna's death Okonkwo is truly sad. I think Achebe's writing style is realistic too. He describes things that are foreign to us in a way that is understandable, even if we don't necessarily agree with them.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think it says about Okonkwo or this culture that Ikemefuna's death is such an important elements but also something Okonkwo goes through with?
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