Date: 30 July 2008
Entry #13
Page #63
Quote: "Okonkwo did not taste any food for two days after the death of Ikemefuna."
Reflection:
This sort of rare in the life of Okonkwo. Okonkwo is known in the village for a tough and strong warrior. He is also known for being the one who shows no emotion at all. But in this case, he is just heart broke. He feels as if he has just lost one of his own sons. The quote shows that he had not eaten for two days. He shows his emotion by doing this. The author is making people realize that even the toughest warriors have feelings.
Page #66
Reflection:
Okonkwo is still regreting what has happened to Ikemefuna. He starts to look at his own children's lives. He wishes that his only daughter, Ezinma, were a boy because she has more resposiblity than any of his boys. He looks Nwoye and says that he is old enough to become a real man yet he fails to do so. I feel that the time will come for Nwoye to realize that he must take the place of Ikemefuna and step up in front and show his father what he can really do.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Journals
Date: 30 July 2008
Entry #12
Page #59
Reflection:
During this part of the story, it is a real mind racer. Okonkwo knows that men are going to kill Ikemefuna and he helps to make sure this does not happen. But then Okonkwo and the boy are in the forest and men see them and start to chase after them. The author then goes in detail about what is around in the scene and the two being very exhausted. But in the end, a man comes from behind and cuts Ikemefuna's head off. This was just sad to me. I still can't believe that in those days, people would do these types of things to innocent people. It was bad enough that he was taken from his homeland, and then killed in other place. I feel bad for Ikemefuna.
Page #60
Reflection:
During this part of the novel, Ikemefuna has not been killed yet. While he is running with Okonkwo, thoughts are racing in his mind about his old family and if he will ever meet them again. He thinks of his little sister he left behind and how old she will be and also if his mother will be there to love him again. He thinks of a song that his mother used to sing to him when he was a little boy. I just had some feeling in me that he would get killed and my prediction was right.
Entry #12
Page #59
Reflection:
During this part of the story, it is a real mind racer. Okonkwo knows that men are going to kill Ikemefuna and he helps to make sure this does not happen. But then Okonkwo and the boy are in the forest and men see them and start to chase after them. The author then goes in detail about what is around in the scene and the two being very exhausted. But in the end, a man comes from behind and cuts Ikemefuna's head off. This was just sad to me. I still can't believe that in those days, people would do these types of things to innocent people. It was bad enough that he was taken from his homeland, and then killed in other place. I feel bad for Ikemefuna.
Page #60
Reflection:
During this part of the novel, Ikemefuna has not been killed yet. While he is running with Okonkwo, thoughts are racing in his mind about his old family and if he will ever meet them again. He thinks of his little sister he left behind and how old she will be and also if his mother will be there to love him again. He thinks of a song that his mother used to sing to him when he was a little boy. I just had some feeling in me that he would get killed and my prediction was right.
Journals
Date: 30 July 2008
Entry #11
Page #53
Reflection:
During chapter 7 of Things Fall Apart, the author explains how the boy that Umuofia had taken for the price of the dead woman, has really become to be a son of Okonkwo. The boy, Ikemefuna, had the respect from the family and most of all, Okonkwo. Okonkwo would allow is first son, Nwoye, and Ikemefuna to come and sit with him in his prayer shrine, called their "obi." Okonkwo would challenge those boys to be strong and powerful men. To do so he treated them with a heavy hand when needed. I feel that this is sort of like a foster home for the boy if this was in our world today. I am really happy that he has come one with the family.
Page #57
Quote: "That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand is his death."
Reflection:
This is a sad moment in the life of Okonkwo. Ikemefuna's time in Umuofia has run out. The elders of the village come to Okonkwo's hut and sits him down to tell him that they are going to put Ikemefuna to sleep. They feel that they do not want him to get to comfortable in Umuofia and it is against the village's rules. I feel this is just mean. You have a man go and bring a boy to live in your village and then just kill him later on. This is just horrible. Thank goodness that we do not do this in our world today unless the person has done something wrong.
Entry #11
Page #53
Reflection:
During chapter 7 of Things Fall Apart, the author explains how the boy that Umuofia had taken for the price of the dead woman, has really become to be a son of Okonkwo. The boy, Ikemefuna, had the respect from the family and most of all, Okonkwo. Okonkwo would allow is first son, Nwoye, and Ikemefuna to come and sit with him in his prayer shrine, called their "obi." Okonkwo would challenge those boys to be strong and powerful men. To do so he treated them with a heavy hand when needed. I feel that this is sort of like a foster home for the boy if this was in our world today. I am really happy that he has come one with the family.
Page #57
Quote: "That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand is his death."
Reflection:
This is a sad moment in the life of Okonkwo. Ikemefuna's time in Umuofia has run out. The elders of the village come to Okonkwo's hut and sits him down to tell him that they are going to put Ikemefuna to sleep. They feel that they do not want him to get to comfortable in Umuofia and it is against the village's rules. I feel this is just mean. You have a man go and bring a boy to live in your village and then just kill him later on. This is just horrible. Thank goodness that we do not do this in our world today unless the person has done something wrong.
Journals
Date: 30 July 2008
Entry #10
Page #49
Reflection:
This portion of the novel still talks about the wrestling. It is starting to get a little irritating. But it is also cool that the two teams have twelve men on each side and they face eachother one on one. They look at who would be equally matched and then make them fight. This was just cool to me because this is like wrestling in high school. They go by weight and that is who you fight. This is what had attracted me.
Page #51
Quote: "Who will wrestle for our village? ...
...Then sen him word to fight for us."
Reflection:
This poem was a bit weird because it had no fierce meaning. But i do understand the meaning. There is a wrestler that was so good and they all want him to win the matches. Some of the things in this novel just have no big purpose, yet they are there. Yet these pointless things are what attracts my mind and lets me write freely about them like this one. This is what i found during my reading.
Entry #10
Page #49
Reflection:
This portion of the novel still talks about the wrestling. It is starting to get a little irritating. But it is also cool that the two teams have twelve men on each side and they face eachother one on one. They look at who would be equally matched and then make them fight. This was just cool to me because this is like wrestling in high school. They go by weight and that is who you fight. This is what had attracted me.
Page #51
Quote: "Who will wrestle for our village? ...
...Then sen him word to fight for us."
Reflection:
This poem was a bit weird because it had no fierce meaning. But i do understand the meaning. There is a wrestler that was so good and they all want him to win the matches. Some of the things in this novel just have no big purpose, yet they are there. Yet these pointless things are what attracts my mind and lets me write freely about them like this one. This is what i found during my reading.
Journals
Date: 30 July 2008
Entry #9
Page #43
Reflection:
This part was just really weird to me. As stated before, during this time of the "Feast of the New Yam" people have to clean all the old pots and start fresh. Well one of the girls of Okonkwo's wives had broken her waterpot while getting fresh water. The girls just started crying up a storm and weeping so much. This had no purpose to me. It felt sort of pointless. I don't know why the author would put that in the story. It would be just like a waste of paper.
Page #46-47
Reflection:
While reading, the author brings back talking about the wrestling portion of the new year. He goes into great detail about the wrestlers and the teams. Also expalains about all the drums and beating. The teams had 3 boys from the age of 15 and 16. The third fight was the one that everyone enjoyed. Even the elders of the village were excited by all the commotion. This was a part that just stuck out at me.
Entry #9
Page #43
Reflection:
This part was just really weird to me. As stated before, during this time of the "Feast of the New Yam" people have to clean all the old pots and start fresh. Well one of the girls of Okonkwo's wives had broken her waterpot while getting fresh water. The girls just started crying up a storm and weeping so much. This had no purpose to me. It felt sort of pointless. I don't know why the author would put that in the story. It would be just like a waste of paper.
Page #46-47
Reflection:
While reading, the author brings back talking about the wrestling portion of the new year. He goes into great detail about the wrestlers and the teams. Also expalains about all the drums and beating. The teams had 3 boys from the age of 15 and 16. The third fight was the one that everyone enjoyed. Even the elders of the village were excited by all the commotion. This was a part that just stuck out at me.
Journals
Date: 30 July 2008
Entry #8
Page #38
Reflection:
For this portion of the "Feast of the New Yam", you have the feast. In this culture, you invite all your family included any family anywhere that you have. All the extended family. I can really compare some of these cultures to my own family. Yet, for any feast, we invite any of our family, far and wide to come and join with us. This is just the way we do things. I love this book a lot just because I can really compare parts of my life to it.
Page #42
Reflection:
"The Feast of the New Yam" is starting to be a very cool tradition to me. During this part of the novel, the village has wrestling matches in the park. The whole village can hers the drums beating and it just sparks the whole village. I feel that this is cool for the community and everyone that shows up for it. This is sort of like when a town or city has like a little carnival or city festival for a special occasion. You can compare this to the "Apricot Festival" in Patterson.
Entry #8
Page #38
Reflection:
For this portion of the "Feast of the New Yam", you have the feast. In this culture, you invite all your family included any family anywhere that you have. All the extended family. I can really compare some of these cultures to my own family. Yet, for any feast, we invite any of our family, far and wide to come and join with us. This is just the way we do things. I love this book a lot just because I can really compare parts of my life to it.
Page #42
Reflection:
"The Feast of the New Yam" is starting to be a very cool tradition to me. During this part of the novel, the village has wrestling matches in the park. The whole village can hers the drums beating and it just sparks the whole village. I feel that this is cool for the community and everyone that shows up for it. This is sort of like when a town or city has like a little carnival or city festival for a special occasion. You can compare this to the "Apricot Festival" in Patterson.
Journals
Date: 30 July 2008
Entry #7
Page: 35
Quote: "The rain is falling, the sun is shining, Alone Nnadi is cooking and eating"
Reflection:
While going through this page, I noticed this quote. At first i didn't get what this little chant meant. Yet, once i went over it again i noticed that the other little kids are outside playing. Nnadi is in here house doing chores and the other kids are making fun of her. This is just mean. I know kids like this and i know how she feels. This wasn't a big part of the novel, but it caught my eye.
Page: 36
Reflection:
During this portion of the novel, there is a time of the year called the "Feast of the New Yam". It is sort of like an American New Year. This is a wierd yet nice tradition. Yams are the most special food in their culture and must be treated with care. You must not have old yams and must always start fresh. The people clean out all of the pots and get rid of all the yams from the previous year. I like how the people want to be clean.
Entry #7
Page: 35
Quote: "The rain is falling, the sun is shining, Alone Nnadi is cooking and eating"
Reflection:
While going through this page, I noticed this quote. At first i didn't get what this little chant meant. Yet, once i went over it again i noticed that the other little kids are outside playing. Nnadi is in here house doing chores and the other kids are making fun of her. This is just mean. I know kids like this and i know how she feels. This wasn't a big part of the novel, but it caught my eye.
Page: 36
Reflection:
During this portion of the novel, there is a time of the year called the "Feast of the New Yam". It is sort of like an American New Year. This is a wierd yet nice tradition. Yams are the most special food in their culture and must be treated with care. You must not have old yams and must always start fresh. The people clean out all of the pots and get rid of all the yams from the previous year. I like how the people want to be clean.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Journals
Date: July 17 2008
Entry # 6
Page #28
Reflection:
During this portion of the novel, it tells how Ikemefuna lives Okonkwo and he is sort of like one of the family. Alot of the family look up to Ikemefuna and even Okonkwo likes the boy. Okonkwo shows emotion to no one unless it is anger. Yet, Okonkwo takes Ikemefuna with him to the village meetings, just like he would a son. And like any son, Ikemefuna calls Okonkwo "father". I thought this was cool because he is basically an orphan to a very strict family. This is how I see it.
Page #30
Reflection:
This week in the story is the week of peace. This when all people must show peace to their neighbors so the gods can bless them I guess. One day, Okonkwo's oldest wife leaves to her friends hut to get her hair done and leaves another wife to do the kids food without telling Okonkwo. When she returns home, Okonkwo beats her. Even though his other wife tells him that it is the week of peace, he still continues to beat her. Word gets around and he is then called to the lkeader of the village and is punished for what he has done and now has to offer food to the leader. I thought this was sort of weird that he has to offer food, but it makes sence. The leader can't physically punish him because it is still the week of peace. But I also feel that we are lucky that our men can not harm women these days. We are truely blessed.
Entry # 6
Page #28
Reflection:
During this portion of the novel, it tells how Ikemefuna lives Okonkwo and he is sort of like one of the family. Alot of the family look up to Ikemefuna and even Okonkwo likes the boy. Okonkwo shows emotion to no one unless it is anger. Yet, Okonkwo takes Ikemefuna with him to the village meetings, just like he would a son. And like any son, Ikemefuna calls Okonkwo "father". I thought this was cool because he is basically an orphan to a very strict family. This is how I see it.
Page #30
Reflection:
This week in the story is the week of peace. This when all people must show peace to their neighbors so the gods can bless them I guess. One day, Okonkwo's oldest wife leaves to her friends hut to get her hair done and leaves another wife to do the kids food without telling Okonkwo. When she returns home, Okonkwo beats her. Even though his other wife tells him that it is the week of peace, he still continues to beat her. Word gets around and he is then called to the lkeader of the village and is punished for what he has done and now has to offer food to the leader. I thought this was sort of weird that he has to offer food, but it makes sence. The leader can't physically punish him because it is still the week of peace. But I also feel that we are lucky that our men can not harm women these days. We are truely blessed.
Journals
Date: July 17 2008
Entry #5
Page #23
Reflection:
This is a very dramatical time in the story. Okonkwo tries to do things on his own and takes eight hundred seed-yams from Nwakibie and goes out and plants them. But this was the worst time of the year. Nothing happened at the proper time, it was either too early or too late. It was very hot and barely and rain came falling. Okonkwo wanted to be trusted deeply by others but it was just at the wrong time. He tried to protect all the crops, but it just didnt work. I felt sort of bad for Okonkwo, because we share some similarities. We both try to show that we can do things sometimes, but it is just at the wrong time and you just fail completely. I believe we are very similar.
Page #27
Reflection:
I like this author alot. He writes for people like me. He writes things, and then recaps on them a little later so we wouldnt forget. On this page he writes again about how Okonkwo goes back to the other village to retrieve a young boy and a virgin woman unless the other village plans to go to war. At first I was lost because I read this already, but then the author brings this subject back up because he is going to turn the subject around start talking about the young boy. This author is very unique I should say.
Entry #5
Page #23
Reflection:
This is a very dramatical time in the story. Okonkwo tries to do things on his own and takes eight hundred seed-yams from Nwakibie and goes out and plants them. But this was the worst time of the year. Nothing happened at the proper time, it was either too early or too late. It was very hot and barely and rain came falling. Okonkwo wanted to be trusted deeply by others but it was just at the wrong time. He tried to protect all the crops, but it just didnt work. I felt sort of bad for Okonkwo, because we share some similarities. We both try to show that we can do things sometimes, but it is just at the wrong time and you just fail completely. I believe we are very similar.
Page #27
Reflection:
I like this author alot. He writes for people like me. He writes things, and then recaps on them a little later so we wouldnt forget. On this page he writes again about how Okonkwo goes back to the other village to retrieve a young boy and a virgin woman unless the other village plans to go to war. At first I was lost because I read this already, but then the author brings this subject back up because he is going to turn the subject around start talking about the young boy. This author is very unique I should say.
Journals
Date: July 17 2008
Entry #4
Page #18
Reflection:
This part of the story is telling how Unoka's downfall is creating Okonkwo's life. He says that he did not have a normal childhood. He did not inherit a barn or land, a title, nor even a young wife. But it says he makes this his advantage and sets down a powerful foundation for a prosporous future. I feel this is smart because again he is learning from his father's mistakes and he is making a better future for his children. This is just like alot of families today. They have nothing and are trying to keep their family alive and well and trying to provide the best for their kids.
Page #20
Reflection:
All the people in the village are conversating and the subject of the Oracle pops up. He is the one that knows all and can do great things. He can basically talk to the gods. They believe that Unoka went to the Oracle. Yet there were many stories about him yet no one knows the real story. I feel that the Oracle is going to show up in the story later down the line. This a great reading so far.
Entry #4
Page #18
Reflection:
This part of the story is telling how Unoka's downfall is creating Okonkwo's life. He says that he did not have a normal childhood. He did not inherit a barn or land, a title, nor even a young wife. But it says he makes this his advantage and sets down a powerful foundation for a prosporous future. I feel this is smart because again he is learning from his father's mistakes and he is making a better future for his children. This is just like alot of families today. They have nothing and are trying to keep their family alive and well and trying to provide the best for their kids.
Page #20
Reflection:
All the people in the village are conversating and the subject of the Oracle pops up. He is the one that knows all and can do great things. He can basically talk to the gods. They believe that Unoka went to the Oracle. Yet there were many stories about him yet no one knows the real story. I feel that the Oracle is going to show up in the story later down the line. This a great reading so far.
Journals
Date: July 17 2008
Entry #3
Page # 13
Reflection:
On this portion of the novel, the author tells the readers about Okonkwo's life as an adult. Okonkwo rules his household. He has 3 wives and is very strict. He also learns more about his father like how he had no title. Okonkwo was ruled by only one passion, to hate everything his father loved. I feel that he is doing the right thing because children should learn from their parents mistakes and if his father was a mistake, the he should be the opposite. Okonkwo's father was horrible, so he is going to be the complete opposite.
Page #14
Quote: "He belongs to the clan, so look after him"
Reflection:
Well, a daughter from Umuofia was killed in another village. All villages feared Umuofia so the only way to repay them was to take a boy and a virgin woman to Umuofia and stay there. Okonkwo was the one to go and take the people from village to village. The leader of the clan told Okonkwo the the boy must stay with him, which the quote comes from Okonkwo telling his oldest wife to let the boy stay in her hut. I think this is mean the they take people from other villages to take place of that body that was lost. Wouldn't they want to have less people so they have more to eat? These people are weird.
Entry #3
Page # 13
Reflection:
On this portion of the novel, the author tells the readers about Okonkwo's life as an adult. Okonkwo rules his household. He has 3 wives and is very strict. He also learns more about his father like how he had no title. Okonkwo was ruled by only one passion, to hate everything his father loved. I feel that he is doing the right thing because children should learn from their parents mistakes and if his father was a mistake, the he should be the opposite. Okonkwo's father was horrible, so he is going to be the complete opposite.
Page #14
Quote: "He belongs to the clan, so look after him"
Reflection:
Well, a daughter from Umuofia was killed in another village. All villages feared Umuofia so the only way to repay them was to take a boy and a virgin woman to Umuofia and stay there. Okonkwo was the one to go and take the people from village to village. The leader of the clan told Okonkwo the the boy must stay with him, which the quote comes from Okonkwo telling his oldest wife to let the boy stay in her hut. I think this is mean the they take people from other villages to take place of that body that was lost. Wouldn't they want to have less people so they have more to eat? These people are weird.
Journals
Date: July 17 2008
Entry #2
Page #10
Reflection:
It was during the night in Umuifia and there were many rules in the village during the night. Children were not allowed to make any noise like whistling during the night for they would awaken the evil spirits. I thought it was a wierd belief. Many people did not like Umuofia during the night unless there was moonlight. It was more calm and the villagers felt more comfortable and safe.
Page #9
Quote: "He had discerned a clear overtone of tragedu in the crier's voice, and even now he could still hear it as it grew dimmer and dimmer in the distance."
Reflection:
I mostly like this quote for the word "discerned". It took me a while to figure out what the whole quote meant, but then when I went back and re-read the sentence, that word helped me out. I thought that was a good word to use because it had some good educational meaning to it and i had to use a dictionary to find the true meaning. I like this author alot. He is so unique with his word choices.
Entry #2
Page #10
Reflection:
It was during the night in Umuifia and there were many rules in the village during the night. Children were not allowed to make any noise like whistling during the night for they would awaken the evil spirits. I thought it was a wierd belief. Many people did not like Umuofia during the night unless there was moonlight. It was more calm and the villagers felt more comfortable and safe.
Page #9
Quote: "He had discerned a clear overtone of tragedu in the crier's voice, and even now he could still hear it as it grew dimmer and dimmer in the distance."
Reflection:
I mostly like this quote for the word "discerned". It took me a while to figure out what the whole quote meant, but then when I went back and re-read the sentence, that word helped me out. I thought that was a good word to use because it had some good educational meaning to it and i had to use a dictionary to find the true meaning. I like this author alot. He is so unique with his word choices.
Journals
Date: July 17 2008
Entry #1
Page #5
Reflection:
During this page, the author is starting to tell how much of a failure that Okonkwo's father, "Unoka", is. Unoka was a man that was not trusted by many. He would always borrow and never repay. He was hated by almost all of the people in the village. He was as those people would call a loafer, and was very poor. Alot of people would laugh at him, because they knew how poor this man was and very disrespected him, although he disrespected them as well.
Page #7
Reflection:
During this portion of the novel, Unoka is at his neighbors house and having a meal. They start talking about wars and playing music. I believe that his neighbor is trying to get through to Unoka with meaniful conversation and is trying to show him that what he is doing is wrong. I also believe that now when Unoka dies and Okonkwo gets older, Okonkwo will pay for his father's faults.
Entry #1
Page #5
Reflection:
During this page, the author is starting to tell how much of a failure that Okonkwo's father, "Unoka", is. Unoka was a man that was not trusted by many. He would always borrow and never repay. He was hated by almost all of the people in the village. He was as those people would call a loafer, and was very poor. Alot of people would laugh at him, because they knew how poor this man was and very disrespected him, although he disrespected them as well.
Page #7
Reflection:
During this portion of the novel, Unoka is at his neighbors house and having a meal. They start talking about wars and playing music. I believe that his neighbor is trying to get through to Unoka with meaniful conversation and is trying to show him that what he is doing is wrong. I also believe that now when Unoka dies and Okonkwo gets older, Okonkwo will pay for his father's faults.
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