Use of a Tragic Hero

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Today we will be looking into Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart, a great example of a story that leads to a tragic end, with the main character being considered a tragic hero. Why did Achebe use this archetype as the main idea behind Okonkwo?

Well the answer is pretty simple, in fact it’s why many writers do these things, to make their novel more interesting, and appealing. By using this huge hyper masculine figure, Achebe is able to hook us in as we learn about Okonkwo, his success, however he then sends the character on a complete spiral downwards. This idea of a tragic story has another purpose as well, to share his main themes, ideas and historical information. Achebe’s uses his culture as the main basis for the novel, this is quite the ideals of the Igbo’s link up to Okonkwo and his values. By creating this  tragic hero, Achebe is able to create a depiction of what would have happened to the Igbo people who had this mind set, and how the issue caused should have been addressed due to the rules set, but were not, as they were an anomaly within their culture. He has also created a factual novel, where we the audience can now see how the Igbo society would have reacted to the actions of the missionaries during that time period.

Obviously, this has all been put to the extreme by Achebe, and would most likely have not happened. Nonetheless, it was an extremely useful tool for the author, as he was able to share what he set out to, through the use of this archetype. 

Igbo GuideBook

If you are contemplating whether or not you would like to go to Igboland, you have to know that you will be a foreigner with a different culture and a different way of thinking. That is why this guide book has been created, so that you as the visitor would have now gained some knowledge of the Igbo people’s customs and way of life, which would help prevent misunderstandings and possible quarrels with the Igbo’s.  Included will be information on the different components of their culture, and how it is different.

1.       Social Status:  The men and women in the Igbo tribes all have to work hard in order to gain wealth and a higher social status within their villages. The men were taught as apprentices, and told that they needed three things to be successful, these were wealth, women and titles. Gaining a title is a little harder than you think, due to the fact that the men had to purchase these titles with great sums of money, often with the goal of reaching the highest title, “Ozo”. The “Ozo” were seen as gods, and gained immortality through a ritual of death and reincarnation.  You need to be careful, because depending on who you will associate with in the village will change how you are seen, due to how the different people are treated. The women were also raised as apprentices, and told that they had to do the house, and hard work, find and marry a decent husband. They would gain the social status of their husbands once they had married them.

2.       Family Life: Family is extremely important in one’s life, within the Igbo Culture. It is used as one of the many ways to improve the men’s social image, having a large family that worked hard, would definitely improve the way the village sees them. Something that is quite interesting about the Igbo culture is the fact that the men can have more than on wife, polygamy. The men work in order to increase the size of their households however if they struggle  the first wife can bring more wives in order to help, but the first wife will always be the only one who gains the titles of her husband, this being only one of the privileges for the wives.

3.       Religion: Religion has been important to Igbo people even from ancient times, which again brings some difference and similarities between our culture and theirs. The Igbo people believe in one Supreme Being who is called “Chukwu”, similar to how our lord God is the only high and might being. However, this is where it begins to differ. The Igbo people believe in spirits which are usually representatives of nature, things like rain, iron, the earth etc. Igbo people approach these so that they can ask for help in their lives, either for the future or they are having trouble at the time. Sometimes, sacrifices were needed for the request to be accepted by these spirits. Oracles play an important role in the relationship between the people and the spirits, as they are the ones who will inform the  Igbo if a sacrifice is needed, they also help them with communicating with the dead, their ancestors for advice.

4.       Customs: Customs are extremely important to the Igbo people since they are giving us this information about the guidelines for their way of life. Offending them or even breaking the rules will always lead to punishment, even if you are not of their people or village. One thing that is important is that Igbo people favour a balance with both the gods and the other members of their society. As a result, the people often make negotiations to make sure that the members of a trade are both on equal terms. Do not try and create an imbalance, or they will become quite upset with you. Another very important side is respect, especially for the elders and those with many and high titles. Do not try to convince them that their religion and their beliefs are false, or you will be outcast or even punished.

To conclude, make sure that you follow these points, and respect their culture. You are an outsider, who has been invited to learn about the Igbo people, so as long as you do not offend them and their way of life, you will be treated with care and hospitality. 

Chinua Achebe Discussion Reflection

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During the last Language and literature class we spent time discussing points made from an interview with Chinua Achebe. There had been many topics and ideas brought up, from both our group and Achebe, such as why Achebe had written “Things Fall Apart”, what his messages were throughout the novel, how his upbringing and culture affected the outcome and overall plot of the novel etc. However, what I believe was the most interesting and meaningful point addressed was how he was able to relate to most people through his novel.

Why and how I can say this, is due to how you may not be able to relate to colonial struggles of that time, but there is much more than within this great story, family, politics, self-struggle, hatred and many more can be found, and I as white South African student was able to see and relate to quite a few instances of the novel.  This was the most meaningful take away from the discussion we had, as most people were able to agree that they had noticed this. Achebe also said that the novel was not just meant for his people, but for the world. To show the issues of the modern day through a tale set many years ago.

This is  a great novel, and if you ever have the time, read it. 

"We will fight on Beaches" Commentary

Aim: The aim of this task was to find a political speech that you would right a paper 1/commentary on the text. You also had the challenge of sitting down and writing it within an hour, similar to test conditions.

Text:

Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force, which had already been intervening in the battle, so far as its range would allow, from home bases, now used part of its main metropolitan fighter strength, and struck at the German bombers and at the fighters which in large numbers protected them. This struggle was protracted and fierce. Suddenly the scene has cleared, the crash and thunder has for the moment-but only for the moment-died away. A miracle of deliverance, achieved by valor, by perseverance, by perfect discipline, by faultless service, by resource, by skill, by unconquerable fidelity, is manifest to us all. The enemy was hurled back by the retreating British and French troops. He was so roughly handled that he did not hurry their departure seriously. The Royal Air Force engaged the main strength of the German Air Force, and inflicted upon them losses of at least four to one; and the Navy, using nearly 1,000 ships of all kinds, carried over 335,000 men, French and British, out of the jaws of death and shame, to their native land and to the tasks which lie immediately ahead. We must be very careful not to assign to this deliverance the attributes of a victory. Wars are not won by evacuations. But there was a victory inside this deliverance, which should be noted. It was gained by the Air Force. Many of our soldiers coming back have not seen the Air Force at work; they saw only the bombers which escaped its protective attack. They underrate its achievements. I have heard much talk of this; that is why I go out of my way to say this. I will tell you about it.

This was a great trial of strength between the British and German Air Forces. Can you conceive a greater objective for the Germans in the air than to make evacuation from these beaches impossible, and to sink all these ships which were displayed, almost to the extent of thousands? Could there have been an objective of greater military importance and significance for the whole purpose of the war than this? They tried hard, and they were beaten back; they were frustrated in their task. We got the Army away; and they have paid fourfold for any losses which they have inflicted. Very large formations of German aeroplanes-and we know that they are a very brave race-have turned on several occasions from the attack of one-quarter of their number of the Royal Air Force, and have dispersed in different directions. Twelve aeroplanes have been hunted by two. One aeroplane was driven into the water and cast away by the mere charge of a British aeroplane, which had no more ammunition. All of our types-the Hurricane, the Spitfire and the new Defiant-and all our pilots have been vindicated as superior to what they have at present to face.

When we consider how much greater would be our advantage in defending the air above this Island against an overseas attack, I must say that I find in these facts a sure basis upon which practical and reassuring thoughts may rest. I will pay my tribute to these young airmen. The great French Army was very largely, for the time being, cast back and disturbed by the onrush of a few thousands of armoured vehicles. May it not also be that the cause of civilization itself will be defended by the skill and devotion of a few thousand airmen? There never has been, I suppose, in all the world, in all the history of war, such an opportunity for youth. The Knights of the Round Table, the Crusaders, all fall back into the past-not only distant but prosaic; these young men, going forth every morn to guard their native land and all that we stand for, holding in their hands these instruments of colossal and shattering power, of whom it may be said that

Every morn brought forth a noble chance
And every chance brought forth a noble knight,

deserve our gratitude, as do all the brave men who, in so many ways and on so many occasions, are ready, and continue ready to give life and all for their native land.

Commentary:

The idea of boosting the morale of ones people is essential within a war speech, as the Politian hopes to gain the support of the public, which can easily be found throughout Churchill’s speeches. The whole of “We will fight on beaches” includes the struggles of the war, including their losses and casualties. However it has another purpose, to motivate his nation and lift their spirits. With the use of the Royal Airforce and their victory’s, he is able to reach his audience and gain their support through the use of his influential language and speech.

                                                     

As stated before his target audience is the people of Great Britain, proven by the fact that this was a speech presented to the nation. In order to grab their attention and provide relevancy to the people, the use of “we” can be seen throughout the text, which in turn has a positive effect on the people, as this word is used to unify the population of Britain. This is where we can see his true intentions, to gain the support from them, through the actions of the military and the use of unification. Which in turn would later on cause the downfall of the German attacks on the United Kingdom.

Since this excerpt had been taken from a World War II text, the themes that are prevalent are Good verse evil due to the historical context of this extract. Love and sacrifice, shown by “and continue ready to give their life and all for their native land. Human vs Human as this speech focuses on the battles between German and British. This all is used effectively due to the range in options and the different angles one may address what the speaker has to say, as this excerpt is made up of a small summary of the dog fights and finishing with the victory’s of the Royal Airforce. The text is set at a relatively serious mood in the beginning, however it changes and moves towards a more honourable and loyal mood as Churchill addresses the amazing feats of the air force.

Looking into the style and structure of the speech, notice its impact as he tells the story of the pilots struggles in battle, building suspense and finishing with them defeating the German forces. To put it simple he drew in his viewers, so that the final statement would be more impactful. Some of his tools he had used include anaphora, “They tried hard, and they were beaten back; they were frustrated in their task. We got the Army away; and they have paid fourfold for any losses which they have inflicted”, by doing this repetitive nature he is able to build up on a statement and concluding it more effectively.  His vocabulary is quite important as words such as valour, brave and victory are used to help strengthen the speech and help keep the attention of his audience.

To conclude, Churchill uses a wide range of tools in order to attain the support of his people, Style and structure, with the focus on their victory’s all allowed him to write on of the most important speeches of Word War 2. Which we now know was critical back then, because if he had failed they might not have defeated the Germans.