Within the world of ‘Thing Fall Apart,’ and specifically the
tribe of Umofia, social status played a vital role in establishing one’s standing
within the community and the manner in which others regarded you. Building of
this notion the drive, or lack of, to increase one’s position played a defining
role in shaping the characteristics of many of the novels leading characters.
Most notably, this phenomenon was apparent in the lives of Okonkwo, his father
Unoka and his son Nwoye. In doing so, author Chinua Achebe draws attention to
the prevalent theme of status evident in his society and suggests that in order
to discover to truly find fulfillment, one must lay down all inhibitions and
pursue what their heart yearns for.
Status is often attributed to self-worth, a conduit in which
many hope to find fulfillment and a sense of belonging. For the character of
Unoka this was found in his music and being among the village musicians.
However despite his talent on the flute, musical skill was not of the utmost
value in the tribe of Umofia, rather men were known for their more masculine
and hardy acts, and of these Unoka held none. This detail is vital in understanding
the Ibo culture, as it reveals what they valued and considered to be ultimately
beneficial for society. This concept stands a in polar contrast to our society,
where artists and musicians are held in high regard, idolized by the general
populous. In the village of Umofia this place of admiration was held for
those who might excel in the ring (wrestling) or in the field, growing yams. In addition the subject of status reveals the
specific gender roles the Ibo assigned to men and women; women being charged with
the keeping of the household while men were expected to attend to the
accumulation of wealth and titles. What’s more it’s interesting to note that
Unoka’s title was not imposed upon him or assigned to him at birth, rather he came into it as a
grownup and this disclosure ties into the notion that Ibo men were truly self-made. Not relying on the accolades or shortcomings of their prerecords the men of the Ibo were expected to shape their own destiny and be denied by their own merits be it for the better or worse.
Haunted by the failures of his father, Okonkwo vowed to
distance himself from all his father associated himself with.
This relentless pursuit came to embody all he stood for, and served in many respects as his be
all and end all. This life force, if you will, drove him to overcome all
adversity and calamity, be it the death of Ikefumuna, his exile and the collapse
of his way of life. Due to this Okonkwo went on to
become the village’s was distinguished member, The burly man seen as a
successful farmer and fearsome warrior. This point further
relates with Okonkwo’s need for audience and recognition, in light of his many
accolades. The desire for an audience to watch and praise brave deeds was a
survival of the old heroic ethos and would have to doubt been familiar to the
inhabitants of Umofia. Returning to the notion of status and achievement, it was
these pursuits that served as Okonkwo’s fatal fault and hamartia. A man so
single-minded in his quest he did not bat an eyelid at the lost of human life
and as such was so consumed in his cause, causing all else to fade way. Sadly despite
his good intentions, Okonkwo pursuit highlights the grim reality of life, for despite
his many righteous acts he met the same fate of his father, cast into the Evil
Forest and deemed an abomination to the earth, all in his pursuit of what he
held dear.
In some respects Nwoye acts as the novel’s catalyst, in that
he represents both the qualities of his father and grandfather. While some
might argue that the boy better embodied the failures of a grandfather rather
than the ‘success’ story of his father, he ultimately carved his own path,
separate from that of both his precursors. By setting himself apart from all
those around him, choosing to embrace a foreign religion, a new God and new
identity, Nwoye pioneered a new social class, one that would come to dominate
the land, Christians. However in doing so saw he initially lost social status
within his own tribe being removed from his own father’s household and being
deemed an outcast. Nonetheless the discussion proved ultimately beneficial as
western ideology and the religion of the white man soon came to enfold the
land, highlighting the shift in the power dynamic that occurs during the latter
half of the novel. As such one might note that like Unoka and Okonkwo, Nwoye wholeheartedly
pursued what he believed to be true and of value, regardless of the
consequences.
Through his demonstration of the theme of status, in the
characters of Okonkwo, Unoka and Nwoye, Achebe calls upon the audience lay down
all inhibition and pursue what their heart’s truly desires, even if it means
death and disappoint.
In closing within the world of ‘Thing Fall Apart,’ social
status played an integral role in defying one’s standing and place within society.
As such the drive, or lack of, to promote one’s self played a defining role in
shaping the characteristics of many of the novels leading characters. Most
notably, this was apparent in the lives of, Unoka and Nwoye. Achebe’s purpose
in all this was to draw attention to the prevalent theme of status evident in
his society and suggests that in order to discover true fulfillment, one must
lay down all inhibition and pursue what their heart truly desires, regardless of
the cost.
No comments:
Post a Comment