Perfect Character A Delusion or Reality
In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?
In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:
How has Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration and disappointment to his people?
What are the characteristics of Okonkwo that you can find in your nation's leader?
In my opinion, a perfect character is something that everyone strive for in real life. It is not delusional because from religious aspect, all God's creations are perfect. Your perspective determine your perception on perfection.
For Okonkwo case, he is the leader of his community. In a community, they listed a list on how a leader should behave. For example, responsible, brave, intelligent and etc. Thus, Okonkwo are bound to this character and despise his father for not being all of the above. He also doesn't accept failure as a part of life. Okonkwo has been a figure of inspiration for his community, until he commits murder (Ikemefuna). From that day onwards, his society has change their outlook on Okonkwo.
Okonkwo's characteristics are brave, outspoken and never gives up for his people. In this way, I think the minister of Terengganu, Ahmad Bin Said, portrayed all the characteristics. He is the current minister for Terengganu. In my opinion, he never gives up to improve the economic state of Terengganu.
Monday 29 April 2013
LAHUNG WAN - RELIGIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS
Week 3
Religions and superstitions
Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?
Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?
The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:
• Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.
• Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
• How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?
Chinua Achebe’s novel of ‘Things Fall Apart’ is an example of a novel that narrates about the life of the native tribe of Ibo people which have their own belief since their ancestors. Karl Marx once said that ‘religion is the opium of the people’. I think I agree with the statement because the Ibo people seem to be devoted to their religion which is inherited by them from their ancestors by following all the rules and regulations and avoiding any violation of the religion rules. For example, the Ibo people throw away their born twins just because their native religion believes they will bring misfortunes. Other than that, the Ibo people also celebrate the Week of Peace and during the week, one of the rules is that they are not allowed to bring up a fight or beat people. As Okonkwo beat up his second wife Ojiugo for not being around their house compound when she supposed to cook for her husband, he have to pay penalties for breaking the law of their religion no matter position he is in. These rules that the Ibo people are following is the evidence that their religion is the ‘opium’ for them. This is because they follow all the rules without question it though some of them did. The ‘opium’, in my opinion is what is addictive and we can be restless or lost if we don’t have it. So, in this context of the Ibo people’s religion, their religion is what they need always and they feel they will be lost if they don’t have it.
Superstitious belief is something that sounds old and not modern. So, for me, it affects the development of a country. In the novel, the Ibo people believe superstitions and it is a part of their life. For example, they refer to Oracle of the Hills whenever they want to do any business such as planting yams and to cure diseases or prevent bad omens. Superstitions prevent development because the community will stuck to what they believe and they do not move on to think new things to discover other than referring to the Oracle. Other than that, development also cannot reach the community because they are afraid to change and worry that they will be doomed if they give a go for changes.
Every individual have their own belief over something. It affects them in many aspects including politically and culturally. Politically, a person can accept or make exceptions to any changes that occur in politics. If a person believes in God, then he will be able to differentiate what is good for him and for the nation. He will support how the government govern the nation as he believes that the political individuals can rule their country. Culturally, one belief does affect the aspect directly or indirectly because a person will view cultures based on his or her own opinions. For example, eunuchs is a cultural practice that require the castration of men to make them “genderless”. This kind of practice will not appear to be appealing for a person who have religion such as Christianity or Islam because such religions forbid any changes made to one’s body as the body is believed to be a gift from God.
Week 4
Perfect Character A Delusion or Reality
In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?
In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:
• How has Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration and disappointment to his people?
• What are the characteristics of Okonkwo that you can find in your nation’s leader?
Okonkwo, the protagonist, has affected the plot of the story and he is an inspiration for the Ibo people as well as the bad example for people to avoid. Okonkwo’s life before he earned titles and achievements was hard where his father Unoka does not play the role of a father that provides for the family. Okonkwo did not want to be like his father and he try his luck to plant yams and he was lucky as he received seeds of yam from a man named Nwakibie. From that point on, his fate seems to be better and he finally earned titles, married to 3 wives and he also got a title of “The Roaring Flame” when he defeated Amalinze The Cat when they fought. However, as the wheel turned and his fate changed again, he began to be a bad example for the Ibo people as he accidentally killed a boy during a funeral. He and his family was casted away from their village Umuofia and went to stay in Mbanta, his mother’s village. His bad luck does not end there and he ended his life tragically when he hung himself. This has proved that he is not the hero that people admire but the tragic hero who was once admired but then ended his life as black memory.
Even though Okonkwo was a tragic hero, he still posses the quality of a leader. A leader is the person who can lead and people must follow and obey. Our Prime Minister, Dato’ Najib Razak is a good leader who also posses the same characteristics just like Okonkwo. Both of them share the leadership qualities and of them is confidence. Confidence is needed in a leader because the leader will be the one who will voice up for the people. They also share dignity as they are seen as strong and powerful even though their strength is seen in a different way by the people. This is because people see Okonkwo as powerful by his physical strength and fierceness and people see our PM as strong by his wise words and ideas that rules the people. Other than that, they also have the hard work in them that had made them who they are. Okonkwo had worked very hard to earn a place in people’s heart and same goes to our PM as he was once also start from the ground and then become the minister, upgraded to Deputy Prime Minister and finally, The Prime Minister. So, that is the qualities that I found in the nation leader that Okonkwo also posses.
Religions and superstitions
Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?
Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?
The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:
• Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.
• Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
• How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?
Chinua Achebe’s novel of ‘Things Fall Apart’ is an example of a novel that narrates about the life of the native tribe of Ibo people which have their own belief since their ancestors. Karl Marx once said that ‘religion is the opium of the people’. I think I agree with the statement because the Ibo people seem to be devoted to their religion which is inherited by them from their ancestors by following all the rules and regulations and avoiding any violation of the religion rules. For example, the Ibo people throw away their born twins just because their native religion believes they will bring misfortunes. Other than that, the Ibo people also celebrate the Week of Peace and during the week, one of the rules is that they are not allowed to bring up a fight or beat people. As Okonkwo beat up his second wife Ojiugo for not being around their house compound when she supposed to cook for her husband, he have to pay penalties for breaking the law of their religion no matter position he is in. These rules that the Ibo people are following is the evidence that their religion is the ‘opium’ for them. This is because they follow all the rules without question it though some of them did. The ‘opium’, in my opinion is what is addictive and we can be restless or lost if we don’t have it. So, in this context of the Ibo people’s religion, their religion is what they need always and they feel they will be lost if they don’t have it.
Superstitious belief is something that sounds old and not modern. So, for me, it affects the development of a country. In the novel, the Ibo people believe superstitions and it is a part of their life. For example, they refer to Oracle of the Hills whenever they want to do any business such as planting yams and to cure diseases or prevent bad omens. Superstitions prevent development because the community will stuck to what they believe and they do not move on to think new things to discover other than referring to the Oracle. Other than that, development also cannot reach the community because they are afraid to change and worry that they will be doomed if they give a go for changes.
Every individual have their own belief over something. It affects them in many aspects including politically and culturally. Politically, a person can accept or make exceptions to any changes that occur in politics. If a person believes in God, then he will be able to differentiate what is good for him and for the nation. He will support how the government govern the nation as he believes that the political individuals can rule their country. Culturally, one belief does affect the aspect directly or indirectly because a person will view cultures based on his or her own opinions. For example, eunuchs is a cultural practice that require the castration of men to make them “genderless”. This kind of practice will not appear to be appealing for a person who have religion such as Christianity or Islam because such religions forbid any changes made to one’s body as the body is believed to be a gift from God.
Week 4
Perfect Character A Delusion or Reality
In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?
In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:
• How has Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration and disappointment to his people?
• What are the characteristics of Okonkwo that you can find in your nation’s leader?
Okonkwo, the protagonist, has affected the plot of the story and he is an inspiration for the Ibo people as well as the bad example for people to avoid. Okonkwo’s life before he earned titles and achievements was hard where his father Unoka does not play the role of a father that provides for the family. Okonkwo did not want to be like his father and he try his luck to plant yams and he was lucky as he received seeds of yam from a man named Nwakibie. From that point on, his fate seems to be better and he finally earned titles, married to 3 wives and he also got a title of “The Roaring Flame” when he defeated Amalinze The Cat when they fought. However, as the wheel turned and his fate changed again, he began to be a bad example for the Ibo people as he accidentally killed a boy during a funeral. He and his family was casted away from their village Umuofia and went to stay in Mbanta, his mother’s village. His bad luck does not end there and he ended his life tragically when he hung himself. This has proved that he is not the hero that people admire but the tragic hero who was once admired but then ended his life as black memory.
Even though Okonkwo was a tragic hero, he still posses the quality of a leader. A leader is the person who can lead and people must follow and obey. Our Prime Minister, Dato’ Najib Razak is a good leader who also posses the same characteristics just like Okonkwo. Both of them share the leadership qualities and of them is confidence. Confidence is needed in a leader because the leader will be the one who will voice up for the people. They also share dignity as they are seen as strong and powerful even though their strength is seen in a different way by the people. This is because people see Okonkwo as powerful by his physical strength and fierceness and people see our PM as strong by his wise words and ideas that rules the people. Other than that, they also have the hard work in them that had made them who they are. Okonkwo had worked very hard to earn a place in people’s heart and same goes to our PM as he was once also start from the ground and then become the minister, upgraded to Deputy Prime Minister and finally, The Prime Minister. So, that is the qualities that I found in the nation leader that Okonkwo also posses.
MOHD IRWANDY - PERFECT CHARACTER A DELUSION OR REALITY
Perfect Character A Delusion or Reality
In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?
In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:
How has Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration and disappointment to his people?
What are the characteristics of Okonkwo that you can find in your nation’s leader?
In the storyline of Things Fall Apart, I’ve observed that the protagonist, Okonkwo had once become an inspiration but also a disappointment to his people. He became an inspiration when he came back to Umofia from his exiled years. When he arrived, he saw that most of his people had already succumbed to the colonization that was ongoing. The resistance for this was getting weaker and Okonkwo as he saw this was a bit enraged by it. He sought his people and assembled as much willing men to support him against the colonizer. He inspired some of his people to fight back against the white men. Unfortunately, when the messenger came and Okonkwo killed him, and when he killed himself, he became a disappointment to his people. His death became a tragic death in which his culture condemns even his own people to touch him until he was buried.
Other than this, I observed also that some of Okonkwo characteristics also exist in a nation’s leader that I admired that is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Dr Mahathir has the persistence and the will of hard work that Okonkwo’s had. When the nation’s economy was at the brink of collapse, at the time, the logical move was to take a loan from the World Bank. However, to prevent the country from being further in debt, Dr Mahathir did not asked for the loan but came up with his own economic plan that revived the nation’s economy and thus saving the country from a massive debt. Okonkwo has this persistence when he was exiled to his motherland. Rather than giving up, he prospered in his motherland when he managed to grow crops and still can feed his family.
In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?
In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:
How has Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration and disappointment to his people?
What are the characteristics of Okonkwo that you can find in your nation’s leader?
In the storyline of Things Fall Apart, I’ve observed that the protagonist, Okonkwo had once become an inspiration but also a disappointment to his people. He became an inspiration when he came back to Umofia from his exiled years. When he arrived, he saw that most of his people had already succumbed to the colonization that was ongoing. The resistance for this was getting weaker and Okonkwo as he saw this was a bit enraged by it. He sought his people and assembled as much willing men to support him against the colonizer. He inspired some of his people to fight back against the white men. Unfortunately, when the messenger came and Okonkwo killed him, and when he killed himself, he became a disappointment to his people. His death became a tragic death in which his culture condemns even his own people to touch him until he was buried.
Other than this, I observed also that some of Okonkwo characteristics also exist in a nation’s leader that I admired that is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Dr Mahathir has the persistence and the will of hard work that Okonkwo’s had. When the nation’s economy was at the brink of collapse, at the time, the logical move was to take a loan from the World Bank. However, to prevent the country from being further in debt, Dr Mahathir did not asked for the loan but came up with his own economic plan that revived the nation’s economy and thus saving the country from a massive debt. Okonkwo has this persistence when he was exiled to his motherland. Rather than giving up, he prospered in his motherland when he managed to grow crops and still can feed his family.
DARREL UNCHATT - RELIGIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS
Religions and superstitions
Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?
Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?
The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:
• Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.
• Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
• How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?
Through the story, Chinua Achebe describe that the superstitions and religions have a big impact in their life. The readers can see that how the Igbo people relate their superstitions belief in their daily life basis. For example, they worshipped the goddess of the earth and avoid from committing any sins for fear that a catastrophe that might sweep all the entire generations.
For religions, the Christian missionaries play much roles in changing the mentality and the culture of the local people. the missionaries tried to introduce the new religion and help the local people to leave their cruel beliefs such as the scarification of the baby.
I believe that superstitious beliefs and religion do affect the development of a country. This is because a country depends on the people’s state of mind in order to run their country. Based on the novel Things Fall Apart, the Igbo people did not aware about the outside of their country until the British came and colonised their country. For example, the Igbo thought that the bicycle was a metal horse. So, from the example, without knowing and too much stick on the superstitious beliefs and religion, we are not going to learn something new that is outside our beliefs.
After all this modernization that has taken place, beliefs persist in our societies. How they affect the nation in terms of politics and culture? It is all depend on the one’s mentality. Based in the novel, it is so obvious that Okonkwo can fight alone in order to retain the old traditions before it would be vanished entirely by the British.
Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?
Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?
The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:
• Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.
• Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
• How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?
Through the story, Chinua Achebe describe that the superstitions and religions have a big impact in their life. The readers can see that how the Igbo people relate their superstitions belief in their daily life basis. For example, they worshipped the goddess of the earth and avoid from committing any sins for fear that a catastrophe that might sweep all the entire generations.
For religions, the Christian missionaries play much roles in changing the mentality and the culture of the local people. the missionaries tried to introduce the new religion and help the local people to leave their cruel beliefs such as the scarification of the baby.
I believe that superstitious beliefs and religion do affect the development of a country. This is because a country depends on the people’s state of mind in order to run their country. Based on the novel Things Fall Apart, the Igbo people did not aware about the outside of their country until the British came and colonised their country. For example, the Igbo thought that the bicycle was a metal horse. So, from the example, without knowing and too much stick on the superstitious beliefs and religion, we are not going to learn something new that is outside our beliefs.
After all this modernization that has taken place, beliefs persist in our societies. How they affect the nation in terms of politics and culture? It is all depend on the one’s mentality. Based in the novel, it is so obvious that Okonkwo can fight alone in order to retain the old traditions before it would be vanished entirely by the British.
AFIQ AZMAN - RELIGIOUS AND SUPERSTITIONS
Religions and superstitions
Karl Marx one commented that "religion is the opium of the people". Do you agree with him? In the case Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the "new" religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?
Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?
The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:
Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.
Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?
They believe that by being nice to everyone during week of peace will bring good luck for a good crop season. Another superstitions belief is the Evil Forest, for example, if you kill yourself, then your body will be buried in the Evil Forest. This is because they believe all bad spirits live there.
In my opinion, superstitious beliefs and religion have everything to do with the development of a country. In Malaysia for example, Chinese has a lot of beliefs as well as Indian. All their beliefs are a symbol of unity and various races in Malaysia. For example, the Indians celebrate Thaipussam and pierce their whole body during the festival. This is what make Malaysia interesting, the various races and festive season in it. Other than that, the Chinese belief on not to swipe the house during Chinese New Year. Other races need to respect this and live harmoniously. From the religion aspect, we can see Christianity brings both positive and negative changes in Umuofia. A well managed and efficient law system is construct, schools were build and slavery was demolished. For example, the outcast and isolated people in Umuofia finally being recognised by their society. This shows the development of the country has increased.
A superstitious belief do affect the nations in terms of politics and culture. For example, if the beliefs brings nothing but misery, it destroy the whole nation. Beliefs such as dumping baby, kills baby girl because they do not worth. This negative superstitious beliefs will affect them emotionally and spiritually which leads to clash of culture. The people will start to practice evil stuff and do not want to compromise with each other. In terms of culture, a good belief will avoid their culture to extinct. For example, KadazanDusun practice bobohizan during the harvest month. The bobohizan is a spiritual leader to call the ancestor or souls to support them to harvest more paddy during that month. Nowadays, it is rarely practice and near to extinction. The KadazanDusun generation to come will never experience such thing anymore in the future. One of the superstitious beliefs that my ancestor taught and I still practice until today is not to whistle at night. This is because it will invite the ghost or any evil spirits.
Karl Marx one commented that "religion is the opium of the people". Do you agree with him? In the case Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the "new" religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?
Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?
The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:
Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.
Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?
They believe that by being nice to everyone during week of peace will bring good luck for a good crop season. Another superstitions belief is the Evil Forest, for example, if you kill yourself, then your body will be buried in the Evil Forest. This is because they believe all bad spirits live there.
In my opinion, superstitious beliefs and religion have everything to do with the development of a country. In Malaysia for example, Chinese has a lot of beliefs as well as Indian. All their beliefs are a symbol of unity and various races in Malaysia. For example, the Indians celebrate Thaipussam and pierce their whole body during the festival. This is what make Malaysia interesting, the various races and festive season in it. Other than that, the Chinese belief on not to swipe the house during Chinese New Year. Other races need to respect this and live harmoniously. From the religion aspect, we can see Christianity brings both positive and negative changes in Umuofia. A well managed and efficient law system is construct, schools were build and slavery was demolished. For example, the outcast and isolated people in Umuofia finally being recognised by their society. This shows the development of the country has increased.
A superstitious belief do affect the nations in terms of politics and culture. For example, if the beliefs brings nothing but misery, it destroy the whole nation. Beliefs such as dumping baby, kills baby girl because they do not worth. This negative superstitious beliefs will affect them emotionally and spiritually which leads to clash of culture. The people will start to practice evil stuff and do not want to compromise with each other. In terms of culture, a good belief will avoid their culture to extinct. For example, KadazanDusun practice bobohizan during the harvest month. The bobohizan is a spiritual leader to call the ancestor or souls to support them to harvest more paddy during that month. Nowadays, it is rarely practice and near to extinction. The KadazanDusun generation to come will never experience such thing anymore in the future. One of the superstitious beliefs that my ancestor taught and I still practice until today is not to whistle at night. This is because it will invite the ghost or any evil spirits.
AFIQ AZMAN - GENDER DIFFERENCES
Based on your reading (gender differences), reflect on how these women are treated in the novel. the following questions can help you as you write your reflective piece:
How are the women treated in the novel? Do all members in the community agree with the status quo? Why?
What contributions are made by the Igbo women to the survival of their culture?
What are the changes in the women's roles in this present world?
In Things Fall Apart, women were treated as possessions of males. They took care of the home, and were not invited to town meetings. Their responsibilities were to their husband and then to their children. They did the cleaning, cooking, and minor farming. The first wife would be in charge of the household, and would be able to direct the other wives as well be the only other person to wear the titles of her husband. For example, in the novel, Okonkwo severely beats his wife for a small problem, not being home during dinner. However, the only reason he gets in trouble is because it is the week of peace. In fact, it is often encouraged that men beat their women for punishment of “wrongdoings”, and the women have no recourse against it. From my point of view, I do think that the community is agreeing with the status quo because they know that they do not have the rights to speak or voice out their opinion at that time.
An example of contribution that is made by the Igbo women to the survival of their culture is the representation of the earth goddess, Ani. Ani is described as playing "a greater part in the life of the people than any other deity. She was the ultimate judge of morality and conduct. And what more, she was in close communion with the departed fathers of the clan whose bodies had been committed to earth". It seems logical that a society that views its female members as inferior beings would not represent their most powerful deity as being a woman. Ani's power is further illustrated through her role in the yam harvest. It is important that all the members of the clan observe the Week of Peace prior to the harvest in order, "to honor their great goddess of the earth without whose blessing their crops will not grow". For a female spirit to possess such an important role in the success of the yam crops is indicative of the actual deep-rooted power of women. When Okonkwo breaks the Peace of Ani, Ezeani proclaims, "The evil you have one can ruin the whole clan. The earth goddess whom you have insulted may refuse to give us her increase, and we shall all perish".
The women’s role in the present world has definitely changed a lot. Women starts to build their own careers and work in big company compared to the old days where women tend to stay at home to become a housewives and take care of their family members. They are also been granted with women’s rights in order to enable them to protect themselves and also has the power to voice out their own opinion.
How are the women treated in the novel? Do all members in the community agree with the status quo? Why?
What contributions are made by the Igbo women to the survival of their culture?
What are the changes in the women's roles in this present world?
In Things Fall Apart, women were treated as possessions of males. They took care of the home, and were not invited to town meetings. Their responsibilities were to their husband and then to their children. They did the cleaning, cooking, and minor farming. The first wife would be in charge of the household, and would be able to direct the other wives as well be the only other person to wear the titles of her husband. For example, in the novel, Okonkwo severely beats his wife for a small problem, not being home during dinner. However, the only reason he gets in trouble is because it is the week of peace. In fact, it is often encouraged that men beat their women for punishment of “wrongdoings”, and the women have no recourse against it. From my point of view, I do think that the community is agreeing with the status quo because they know that they do not have the rights to speak or voice out their opinion at that time.
An example of contribution that is made by the Igbo women to the survival of their culture is the representation of the earth goddess, Ani. Ani is described as playing "a greater part in the life of the people than any other deity. She was the ultimate judge of morality and conduct. And what more, she was in close communion with the departed fathers of the clan whose bodies had been committed to earth". It seems logical that a society that views its female members as inferior beings would not represent their most powerful deity as being a woman. Ani's power is further illustrated through her role in the yam harvest. It is important that all the members of the clan observe the Week of Peace prior to the harvest in order, "to honor their great goddess of the earth without whose blessing their crops will not grow". For a female spirit to possess such an important role in the success of the yam crops is indicative of the actual deep-rooted power of women. When Okonkwo breaks the Peace of Ani, Ezeani proclaims, "The evil you have one can ruin the whole clan. The earth goddess whom you have insulted may refuse to give us her increase, and we shall all perish".
The women’s role in the present world has definitely changed a lot. Women starts to build their own careers and work in big company compared to the old days where women tend to stay at home to become a housewives and take care of their family members. They are also been granted with women’s rights in order to enable them to protect themselves and also has the power to voice out their own opinion.
AFIQ AZMAN - REFLECTION OF THINGS FALL APART
REFLECTION OF THINGS FALL APART
Based on what I have read in Things Fall Apart, the Igbo culture allows the British to take over through the aspect of openness. They allow the British to come to their land with nothing they do to stop them. Another aspect is they believe so much in their culture beliefs. They think that by letting the British build the church in the Evil Forest, all of them will get rid but they are wrong. Starting from that, the British slowly take over their land. Although I am not from Sarawak but I can see how the colonisation has affected the multiple tribes and culture in Sarawak. Firstly, it is about Christianity. Because of the colonisation by the British, most of the people of the tribes in Sarawak are Christian and I think this religion is the religion of highest number of followers in Sarawak. Not just that aspect, the consequence from the colonisation brings the English language to this land of hornbill. Old folks in this country can speak English fluently than the youngsters nowadays. So here it means that English came first before Bahasa Melayu. They master the English language first before they could master Bahasa Melayu. For this part I think it is a little bit hard. But what I can tell is they are slowly leaving the old culture because of the colonisation and globalisation. We can see that they understand about knowledge and how knowledge can bring them to a better future.
Based on what I have read in Things Fall Apart, the Igbo culture allows the British to take over through the aspect of openness. They allow the British to come to their land with nothing they do to stop them. Another aspect is they believe so much in their culture beliefs. They think that by letting the British build the church in the Evil Forest, all of them will get rid but they are wrong. Starting from that, the British slowly take over their land. Although I am not from Sarawak but I can see how the colonisation has affected the multiple tribes and culture in Sarawak. Firstly, it is about Christianity. Because of the colonisation by the British, most of the people of the tribes in Sarawak are Christian and I think this religion is the religion of highest number of followers in Sarawak. Not just that aspect, the consequence from the colonisation brings the English language to this land of hornbill. Old folks in this country can speak English fluently than the youngsters nowadays. So here it means that English came first before Bahasa Melayu. They master the English language first before they could master Bahasa Melayu. For this part I think it is a little bit hard. But what I can tell is they are slowly leaving the old culture because of the colonisation and globalisation. We can see that they understand about knowledge and how knowledge can bring them to a better future.
Sunday 28 April 2013
MOHD IRWANDY - RELIGIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS
Religions and superstitions
Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?
Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?
The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:
• Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.
• Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
• How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?
‘Religion is the opium of the people’ is a quote from Karl Max. In a way, this quote proves to be right but has a huge difference in the reality of religion itself. Opium gets you addicted but also with huge repercussions. Religion gives you satisfaction without the repercussions. Why do I say so? This is because even though people with faith might face with challenges, suffering and other obstacles, these aren’t repercussions but tests. Religion is like the many doors on a floor, with a couple of room reserves for doubt. Doubt is useful because you will not know the strength of your own faith until you are tested. In the case of Things Fall apart by Chinua Achebe, the Umofian native religion does stunt their development. This is because some of the beliefs in their religion are a bit extreme. For example, the sacrificing of twins. This ritual of faith is inappropriate as these twins might someday become useful human resources or better, to be respectable men in the Umofian society. Their religion in a way makes them conservative and does not open to the society outside of their own. The man's way of life by oppressing women is one of the things that also reflects their ignorance against the well-being of their women. If we look closely, the women play a huge role in their society despite being treated the way they are. When the ‘new’ religion came, development all around Umofia spurs. Even though the reluctancy can be seen by some of the men in the Umofian society, but they did not prevent these developments because deep inside, the things that weren’t there at first were the things that they actually needed. The trading system for example. Before the missionaries came, there wasn’t any organized structural economic system. Furthermore, the additional infrastructure that developed by the missionaries eases some of the aspects of life of the Umofian society. Back to religion and superstitious, my own culture doesn’t actually have one or I might not remember it but there is one saying by my culture that shows how beliefs could be harmful towards my own culture. “Biar mati anak, jangan mati adat”, is this saying and it emphasizes more on protecting my own tradition than protecting the people that I love. This is absurd to me because at some point, tradition isn’t the thing that we hold dear, but families are. There is a fine line where we can uphold our tradition but not to the extend that we sacrifice the importance of family ties.
Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?
Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?
The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:
• Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.
• Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
• How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?
‘Religion is the opium of the people’ is a quote from Karl Max. In a way, this quote proves to be right but has a huge difference in the reality of religion itself. Opium gets you addicted but also with huge repercussions. Religion gives you satisfaction without the repercussions. Why do I say so? This is because even though people with faith might face with challenges, suffering and other obstacles, these aren’t repercussions but tests. Religion is like the many doors on a floor, with a couple of room reserves for doubt. Doubt is useful because you will not know the strength of your own faith until you are tested. In the case of Things Fall apart by Chinua Achebe, the Umofian native religion does stunt their development. This is because some of the beliefs in their religion are a bit extreme. For example, the sacrificing of twins. This ritual of faith is inappropriate as these twins might someday become useful human resources or better, to be respectable men in the Umofian society. Their religion in a way makes them conservative and does not open to the society outside of their own. The man's way of life by oppressing women is one of the things that also reflects their ignorance against the well-being of their women. If we look closely, the women play a huge role in their society despite being treated the way they are. When the ‘new’ religion came, development all around Umofia spurs. Even though the reluctancy can be seen by some of the men in the Umofian society, but they did not prevent these developments because deep inside, the things that weren’t there at first were the things that they actually needed. The trading system for example. Before the missionaries came, there wasn’t any organized structural economic system. Furthermore, the additional infrastructure that developed by the missionaries eases some of the aspects of life of the Umofian society. Back to religion and superstitious, my own culture doesn’t actually have one or I might not remember it but there is one saying by my culture that shows how beliefs could be harmful towards my own culture. “Biar mati anak, jangan mati adat”, is this saying and it emphasizes more on protecting my own tradition than protecting the people that I love. This is absurd to me because at some point, tradition isn’t the thing that we hold dear, but families are. There is a fine line where we can uphold our tradition but not to the extend that we sacrifice the importance of family ties.
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