I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked that it was more up to date and not like beowulf which was an epic written in old english. Once I got started reading it I was hooked because their aren't many dull moments or parts where you are just thinking "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!?!?!?!?".
I enjoyed the subject of the book and how people are forced to deal with change and how they take on that change. Okonkwo lived his whole life knowing one thing, that a man must be a man, get titles, and do hard work. Then within the course of 7 years his world is turned upside down and he doesn't like it. I too am a person that is not keen to change, I hate that the laptops don't have word, even though I lose my flash drive and that is more practical technically I just hate it.
My favorite part of this book has to be when Okonkwo shows up after Enzima is taken. this is the only time where he stops being all manly and really cares for someone. If he showed this compasion more he wouldn't have lost his son to the church. All in all this was a good book that I enjoyed reading.
This book definitely focuses a lot in change. While some adapt, others do not. Okonkwo is one of those who can't adapt, but he's definitely not the only one. But the fact is, the missionaries are trying to destroy their culture, so its only understandable.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part is when Okonkwo sheds his tough guy skin and is there to support his wife at the cave entrance. I guess I am a romantic but in all reality Okonkwo seemed like a testosterone filled jerk until this point. I mean shooting at your wife and disliking your child because she is a girl is not right. It is also sad that he cannot accept change because I think that is what caused his downfall in the end. He lost his son to the church and his reaction was anger at his son.
ReplyDeleteI also agree you lose your flashdrive... A LOT!!! Worse than I am at losing that. My opinion.
I almost forgot about the part where Ezinma goes missing! But yes, I think thats an excellent part of the book becuase it shows that Okonkwo really does care for at least someone. And I do think that Ezinma might be the only one who really cares about. It's said how he loves her, but he wishes she was a man because he would be so powerful and respected. I think that Okonkwo is mainly misled throughout the story, he misleads himself. He strives for things that aren't as important as he thinks.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good book, and the time he goes after Ezinma is the only time he really shows love. I mean love is a feeling that produces actions of compassion. Something that Okonkwo really lacks, he rarely thinks beyond himself and his image. The time he goes after his daughter lets us see the inner man, I still think he was a poor father because of this lack of love. There is some good in Okonkwo I just wish he had showed it more.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a great book. It's way more easier to understand than Beowulf. This book focuses a lot on change. When okonkwo comes back home after seven years, he feels like a total stranger in his village because everything was different. People were worshiping a new religion and going against customs. I would like to agree with you all that Okonkwo does care a little about his daughter, but also his wife too because I think he also ran after her to make sure she didn't do anything stupid in front of Chiela and one of the gods. That's just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteYeah I would have liked to see Okonkwo change a bit more to a compassionate person from his exile. I think it would have brought more to the story. Then again, he wouldn't have killed himself, so his lack of compassion really shapes this book. Im glad everyone liked this book, and it was definitely better than Beowulf.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it's nothing like Beowulf! Although I like the legend of Beowulf it was fricking hard to READ!!! It is nice to read something you can understand. Books about change are good! That part with Enizma is pretty intense and it shows how scared to death Okonkwo was about her. :DDD
ReplyDeleteWouldn't let me post on Katie's or Mollies so Here are my post respectively:
ReplyDeleteI personally didn't really care for the lit circles, however I did like the questions because then I knew the important stuff and didn't miss anything. Definitely a gender inequality in this culture, however I don't believe there is gender inequality in America anymore.
Okonkwo doesn't really fear much, but he does fear change and failure. He is scared to death of both (literally lol) He doesn't want to be like his father.