Harkness Reflection

Thus far in class, we have had four discussions tracked in the Harkness method. Below my reflections on my role in each conversation.

1. In the first discussion I participated a little above the average amount with multiple topics addressed to various people.
2. In the second discussion I participated probably a little too much, not leaving enough room for everyone to get their voice in.
3. I participated around the average number of times.
4. In the fourth discussion, I participated around the average, if not a little under. One in-text citation.

Overall, I have been involved in the discussions in class. Occasionally, I talk to much on topics I am interested in, and in the future must try to "Pull my weight, but not everybody else's." I have tried to incorporate in-text citations, however in the future, I could work on incorporating even more. In terms of listening, I try to develop thoughts entirely, and if I can find a direct citation, before speaking my thoughts.

Nervous Conditions

     In Nervous Conditions, when the protagonist arrives at her uncle's house, she gives a long description of her new surroundings. I remember feeling similarly overwhelmed when I transitioned from elementary school to middle school. My elementary school only had sixty kids in a grade (a group of students I had been with for six years). In middle school, five elementary schools were combined to make up almost 300 kids in a grade, totaling nine-hundred kids in one school. I remember being completely overwhelmed by the huge number of people I did not know. On top of the number of people, I also went from being one of the oldest in my school, to one of the youngest. I imagine Tambu felt similarly when she went to Babamukuru's house. Her cousins seemed very different: They had forgotten to speak the language and had come from England. I felt similarly different being so young, and knowing so few people. I soon, however, grew used to my surroundings and eventually came to prefer the large number of students, and existing in a community in which I did not know everyone. Similarly, I believe Tambu will eventually begin to appreciate her surroundings, and come to like Babamukuru's house.

Generalizations and Sterotypes

Just finished watching Chimanda Adichie's TED talk on the danger of a single story. I found her points made both informative and convincing. Adichie tells the story about a "servant boy" in her house when she was younger. Her mother would always tell her to be grateful for what she had, because he had nothing. When she eventually saw the boy's family, she was shocked to find one of his brothers had woven something beautiful. She went on to say how she had gotten so used to the singular perception of the people she had trouble accepting that they were capable of anything creative. She feels that this is the problem with Africa. The west has become so singularly fed information about the continent that they are unable to view the people as individuals. She believes that the way to fix this problem is to not tell the "singular story" and instead have different stories of real people. She gives the example of a student at a university saying that he feels so bad that Nigerian men abuse women (based on a character in her book). To which she responded (loosely) "I just read American Psycho, and it's such a shame American men are serial killers". The point can be summarized with the ironic statement "all generalizations are false", and I agree

Things Fall Apart Cover

     One cover I am particularly intrigued with is the crudely sketched, upside down portrait of possibly Okonkwo, with the almost fifty-fifthy split of a beige and clay cover. This cover was my favorite because I believe that it most accurately reflects the book. The upside down face in a way reflects the disorder so well described by Yeats. The colors are simple and clean like Achebe's writing style. But the most fascinating aspect of this cover for me is the style of the portrait. The book so much relies on African identity with an ever approaching western world, and I can't help but feeling this book portrays that.

Greek Heroism in Things Fall Apart

     Thirteen chapters into Things Fall Apart, I can't help seeing the novel as a story in the Ancient Greek vein of Oedipus and Antigone. To me, Okonkwo is everything that defines a Greek Hero. His character traits, and more importantly character flaws mirror those of the heroes famed heroes, namely Oedipus, Odysseus, and Achilles.
     Similarly to these characters, Okonkwo is revered for his achievements and vastly respected among his peers. These Greek worlds are filled with death, war, and harsh behavior, which can clearly also be said of the village of Igbo. The worlds they inhabit are cruel and tough, and the heroes are even more so.
   Similar to Oedipus, I believe Okonkwo is in a downward spiral, easily predicted, and caused by his own actions and character flaws. This inevitable crash is what, overall, leads me to see this tale as an Ancient Greek one.

  On an unrelated note, I can't help but see the parallels between Oknonkwo's situation, and Collin Ferrells in the 2008 film In Bruges. Do you think the writers intentionally mimicked Things Fall Apart?

Things Fall Apart: Ezinma and Okonkwo

      In Things Fall Apart, Achebe strove to give a humanity and dignity to his fictional habitants of the Igbo village.  No where is this more present than in the relationship between the central character Okonkwo and his sickly daughter Ezinma. While there do exist the cultural restraints within their relationship, it doesn't take much analysis to see the love Oknonkwo feels for his daughter. He himself says "If Ezinma had been a boy I would have been happier. She has the right spirit," (Achebe, pg. 62). While through our 21st century lens this may seem insulting, because of Oknonkwo's beliefs, wishing she was a boy because of her spirit could not be higher praise.
     The love in their relationship is further evident when Oknokwo is alerted of Ezinma's sickness. When Ezinma's mother initially disturbs Oknonkwo to inform him of the news, based on everything that had happened prior I anticipated a physical confrontation. However, when he is told he "sprang from his bed, pushed back the bolt on his door and ran into Ekwefi's hut," (Achebe, pg. 72).
     Okonkwo does his best to nurse the child back to health, but as one of his earlier children was unfortunately named, I feel that in the end "Death may please himself".