It Isn't My Fault

This monologue is Ikemefuna talking to Okonkwo:

What did I do wrong? How was I supposed to know my father killed a daughter of Umuofia? It never made sense to me. One day men just showed up at my house, talked to my father, and the next thing I knew I was being taken out of my village by strangers not knowing if I would ever see my mother or little sister ever again. It all just wasn't fair.

I was only 15 at the time and a properous young man. However, things could have been worse. I could have been killed right away but instead I got to live with your family and become a friend and role model to your son, Nwoye. Although you were strict, I respected you. I know you mean well when you demand people to do things. But I also know you just want you children to learn how to fend for themselves. 

However, I never knew if you appreciated my hard work and that can identify birds, trap rodents, and make flutes. Yet all I can say is that you were not harsh on me and I thank you for that, father. But, everyday I think about my mother and little sister and question if they are even alive. How can someone live like this? All I wish for is to go back home to Mbaino.

Fear Itself Is Enough

As I mentioned in my pre-spring break essay, Okonkwo follows the traits of an Anglo-Saxon hero. After finishing the whole novel, Things Far Apart, I still believe Okonkwo represents an Anglo-Saxon hero more than a contemporary hero. An Anglo-Saxon hero is a man who displays a lack of modesty, shows courage and strength, and is not afraid to face the consequences of death. On the other hand, a modern day hero is a person (male or female) who is a positive leader, helpful to the society, intelligent, and basically a well-rounded human being.


Throughout the entire story, Okonkwo maintains his extremely masculine persona. He is always demanding his wives to do work for him around the compound and to harvest some of the crops. Also, he is very strict on his children because he wants them to learn how to fend for themselves and to not turn out like his father. Despite Okonkwo`s fearless personality, he had only one fear in his life and that was the thought of him turning into his father, Unoka. Unoka was a failure his whole adult life. He ``was lazy and improvident and was quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow`` (pg.3). However, Unoka was a benign man which Okonkwo was not.


After Okonkwo killed a boy (Ikemefuna) who lived in his compound for three years, I notice that he starts to display the traits of a classical tragic hero. A classical tragic hero is someone who has some sort of flaw but is not aware of it but which leads the hero to an uncontrollable downfall. In my opinion, the downfall that Okonkwo experiences is after he killed the boy he cannot eat or sleep for days. Coming from a man of such strength, this was not normal and something he had never felt before. A feeling of depression and guilt filled his body until the end of the story when he kills himself. The action of him killing himself is the result of the downfall from his flaw. Thus, making Okonkwo an excellent example of a classical tragic hero.


In conclusion, this man who holds one of the highest titles in his clan, comes off as brave and fearless. Yet, inside he has feelings just like any other person. These feelings never show, although they are triggered when Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna. Thus, resulting in his downfall and suicidal death. However, overall Okonkwo represents an Anglo-Saxon hero and a classical tragic hero throughout the story.

I Never Knew Until He Was Gone

     There is one main conflict in the novel 3,000 Miles by Jason Schneider. Although other conflicts are present like man vs. man, man vs. self is the most recognized in this novel. The conflict includes the main character, Andre, who feels worthless in life. He decides that he needs to go on a journey to figure out what he is going to do and to get out of his small hometown. In addition, Andre and his family do not have a strong relationship. His parents often neglect him and his older brother is an unreliable pothead. Andre needed to leave. Thus, he and two other friends packed their bags and were on their way across Canada then to Seattle as their last stop. Andre felt like they must stop in Seattle because that was the hometown of his hero, Kurt Cobain, who had died not too long ago. The death of Andre's idol really stirred up his emotions within, causing him to finally go for a journey. However, he was not going on this trip to search "for some kind of answer. [He knew] the answer" but needed to "figure out a way to express it" (pg.22). Unfortunately, his idea of expression may include death or sacrifice. 


     Another conflict that occurs in the novel is man vs. woman. Andre has a girlfriend named Sylvie who has her life pretty much figured out, finish high school, attend university, and then get a stable job. Although she had "already assumed [she was] going to Laval, with McGill and Concordia the backups...[she] had to tell [her] father...about UBC"(pg.66). However, the only reason she wants to go to UBC is because in a letter from Andre to Sylvie, he said," I want to experience as much as I can before we get to Vancouver"(pg.65). Meaning, Sylvie is really in love with Andre so much that she would go to a university across the country just to be with him.

     Since Andre has started his journey, these conflicts became more vivid. His tough, endless decision whether or not to kill himself is wearing him down but he tries to enjoy himself. On the other hand, there was Sylvie who suddenly realized how much she loved him after he left which affected Andre. Because Andre started feeling the same way about her just after a week or so, he questioned his reason for the trip again. He began to think this was the right thing to do since there was someone that did care about him after all. 
     

Post-Colonialism Among Africans

Post-colonialism is (in basic terms) the aftermath of a community or group of people that have been colonized by a powerful foreign country. Although it is present everywhere in the world, it is most prominent in Africa. After the Europeans annexed and colonized some parts of Africa, post-colonialism began to develop. Since the Europeans thought the beliefs of the African people were foolish, they forced them to assimilate into the European culture and customs. Thus, resulting in a potential loss of the Africans native traditions and sabotaging their authentic way of life for generations to come. The Africans were encouraged and convinced that being 'white' would mean being intelligent, superior, and beautiful.



The photo above is taken by a very famous photographer, Annie Leibovitz. She is known for her innovative and controversial portraits of celebrities. This photo of actress, Whoopi Goldberg, shows a creative example of post-colonialism. After this photo became public, "it changed [Whoopi's] career and what people thought" says Whoopi in an interview in Annie Leibovitz' documentary Life Through A Lens. It provoked people to think about the contrast between black and white and how a black woman can be just as beautiful even if it is against the colour white. Because of the way Whoopi's face looks like in this photo, it gives off a humorous feel which portrays the thought of how far we have gone with post-colonialism and racism so much that an explicit photo like this can be publicized and considered without a huge dispute. However this photo is not a clear definition of post-colonialism, it is still a clear example of how people react and think about the controversy between black and white people. I believe Leibovitz is trying to say that it does not matter anymore what colour you are, you are still beautiful even in a tub of milk.