"It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father."
Most children grow up idolizing their paternal figures, but in Things Fall Apart our protagonist Okonkwo resents his father to say the least. He associates him with weakness and femininity, and most of what Okonkwo has become is a result of the pure hatred of his father and his craving to be masculine. In his quest to masculinity, he often acts hastily and without thinking, which usually results in violence and bad temperment. While he thinks being burly and robust is the best way to live his life, it has severly affected his reputation among his family and tribe. Is his craving to be the alpha male worth straining his relationship with those around him? How is it that his father was less wealthy, less skilled, and less macho, yet was so much more comfortable with who he was? Okonkwo has become comsumed by how others perceive him, and it would not be surprising if this leads do his downfall.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
One Day in the Life of Joe the Tortoise Farmer
It was a typical Monday morning and the sun was violently beating down on Joe's neck as he inspected the perimeter of his property for tunnels his tortoises were notorious for digging. As beads of sweat began to accumulate and trickle down his back, he reluctantly took a seat in the shade as he inspected the rest his farm. What is now a luscious field of healthy tortoises is a result of many years of hard work and dedication put in by both he and his family. They were very proud of their tortoise farm, and it made them genuinely happy.
After his morning routine he hopped in the shower and prepared to get dressed in order to get to school on time. By this time it was already 7:00 and he was cutting it very close as he had a strenuously long commute to school each morning. He glanced over his undistinguished wardrobe and selected his favorite shirt. In a hasty rush to pack his school materials in his backpack, he crammed everything in the large pocket hoping he hadn't left anything behind.
He sped down the busy road, getting lucky by not hitting many red lights. He pulled into the school parking lot at precisely 7:45 and jogged to make it to his first period class. Joe wasn't one for paying attention in class, as he often likes to doodle and daydream about his tortoises. He survived first block, which was often the most difficult for him.
The rest of the school day dragged on and on, and after what felt like an eternity the clock struck 3:00. While many kids are relieved and get to go home, Joe's day continues on without skipping a beat. Every day after school Joe plays competitive squash in an elite academy for about two or three hours each day. Most kids would find this tedious, but Joe has a legitimate love for the game of squash and hopes he will be able to get increasingly better and play at such a competitive level for a long time. Most people view squash as an easy game that takes no conditioning, but Joe could tell you better than anyone else that that is far from the truth.
His shirt completely drenched in sweat, Joe gets in his car and leaves the gym. When he gets home his parents kindly greet him and ask how his day was. Joe responds like a typical teenager with melancholy one word responses. Once in his room, by which time it is about 8:00, Joe sits down and does his homework. It is not uncommon for Joe to fall asleep right in his chair at his desk after a brutally long day of farming, school, and squash.
His alarm clock blares the next day as the sun rises, and Joe is ready to start his new day back on the farm. (483)
After his morning routine he hopped in the shower and prepared to get dressed in order to get to school on time. By this time it was already 7:00 and he was cutting it very close as he had a strenuously long commute to school each morning. He glanced over his undistinguished wardrobe and selected his favorite shirt. In a hasty rush to pack his school materials in his backpack, he crammed everything in the large pocket hoping he hadn't left anything behind.
He sped down the busy road, getting lucky by not hitting many red lights. He pulled into the school parking lot at precisely 7:45 and jogged to make it to his first period class. Joe wasn't one for paying attention in class, as he often likes to doodle and daydream about his tortoises. He survived first block, which was often the most difficult for him.
The rest of the school day dragged on and on, and after what felt like an eternity the clock struck 3:00. While many kids are relieved and get to go home, Joe's day continues on without skipping a beat. Every day after school Joe plays competitive squash in an elite academy for about two or three hours each day. Most kids would find this tedious, but Joe has a legitimate love for the game of squash and hopes he will be able to get increasingly better and play at such a competitive level for a long time. Most people view squash as an easy game that takes no conditioning, but Joe could tell you better than anyone else that that is far from the truth.
His shirt completely drenched in sweat, Joe gets in his car and leaves the gym. When he gets home his parents kindly greet him and ask how his day was. Joe responds like a typical teenager with melancholy one word responses. Once in his room, by which time it is about 8:00, Joe sits down and does his homework. It is not uncommon for Joe to fall asleep right in his chair at his desk after a brutally long day of farming, school, and squash.
His alarm clock blares the next day as the sun rises, and Joe is ready to start his new day back on the farm. (483)
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