Things Fall Apart Gender Analysis

Words: 476
Pages: 2

In “Things fall apart” the author challenges and perpetuates the dominant narrative by genders, actions, and thoughts by using archetypes and caricatures.
The author critiques the dominant narrative about thoughts and actions using archetypes because Okonkwo was like a dreamer. Okonkwo has thoughts and dreams about what he wants to happen although it does not really happen. Okonkwo does not pay attention to reality just on what he wants and wants to see. In the book Okonkwo does not want to be and believes that he is not like his father but he really is like him. He is so focused about not being like him that he isn't realizing that he is worser than him. Pge 7 ”If a man comes...he equates actions and violence with masculinity and his war like Umuofia clan.” Okonkwo felt like he was a fierce man, that he had no emotion or feelings , he was strong, had all the power, but really he has and does show emotion he just does not notice it. All the things he says he should do to be a strong man he does the opposite. Okonkwo is supposed to be like a warrior and survivor that never gives up but later he falls apart and kills himself.
Another way the author critiques the dominant narrative about genders by using caricatures is
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Okonkwo a ambitious inflexible clan member trying to overcome the settlement of his unsuccessful father. Okonkwo is not based off his father his status is based on his own achievements. Ekwefi as a rebel wife who follows her mind having her own things going on and her daughter Ezinma who prefers to do manly things. Nwoye the son of Okonkwo is the opposite of Okonkwo prefers to do womanly things, disobeys, and decides to not follow what his father wants. They all connect because they help tie into all the dominant narratives that have been made and challenges them like Gender stereotypes but perpetuates it also as of culture