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.