1. It’s All Political
Summary: Literature tends to be written by people interested in the problems of the world, so most works have a political element in them. These ideas can be seen through individualism, power structures, relations among classes, issues of justice and rights, and interactions between the sexes and among various racial and ethnic constituencies. “That was a source of great sorrow to the leaders of the clan” (Achebe 143).
As the whites began to invade Umuofia and make changes such as adding schools and churches without consulting any of the clan leaders, the clan leaders grow sad because they had no control over what the white men were doing. Also, the villagers looked up to the clan leaders to always handle the issues and …show more content…
Don’t Read With Your Eyes
Summary: When reading a book, one should not read it based on his own perspective of life in the current year. The reader should try to read from a perspective that allows him to sympathize with the time period of the text. The reader doesn’t necessarily have to accept the values within the book, but he should keep an open mind so that he can better understand the text. “…the heavy rains which were drowning the yams…” (Achebe 6).
As a person living in 2015, it is important that this is read from the perspective of the people of Umuofia and not from a teenager in Mahwah, New Jersey. This is because to them, the yams are essentially their only food source, so a family can be in a lot of trouble if the yams drown. Today, we have so many different options for food that we don’t even realize how much of a tragedy it would be for these people if their yams drowned. For this reason, readers must try to sympathize with the time period.
13. It’s My Symbol and I’ll Cry If I Want To
Summary:
14. Is He Serious? And Other …show more content…
The author likes to make the readers feel one way, and then add in an event that leaves them surprised and in shock. By using this dramatic irony, the story remaind interesting and the readers remain engaged. “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down” (Achebe 61).
This is an example of irony because the readers begin to believe that Okonkwo has grown fond of Ikemefuna, which he has. Once the elders bring Ikemefuna into the forest to kill him, the readers expect Okonkwo to turn away or at least cringe at the sight. Instead, as Ikemefuna runs towards Okonkwo and begs him for help, Okonkwo cuts him up mercilessly. This is ironic because Okonkwo had begun to like Ikemefuna, but he ended up killing him with such
Summary: Literature tends to be written by people interested in the problems of the world, so most works have a political element in them. These ideas can be seen through individualism, power structures, relations among classes, issues of justice and rights, and interactions between the sexes and among various racial and ethnic constituencies. “That was a source of great sorrow to the leaders of the clan” (Achebe 143).
As the whites began to invade Umuofia and make changes such as adding schools and churches without consulting any of the clan leaders, the clan leaders grow sad because they had no control over what the white men were doing. Also, the villagers looked up to the clan leaders to always handle the issues and …show more content…
Don’t Read With Your Eyes
Summary: When reading a book, one should not read it based on his own perspective of life in the current year. The reader should try to read from a perspective that allows him to sympathize with the time period of the text. The reader doesn’t necessarily have to accept the values within the book, but he should keep an open mind so that he can better understand the text. “…the heavy rains which were drowning the yams…” (Achebe 6).
As a person living in 2015, it is important that this is read from the perspective of the people of Umuofia and not from a teenager in Mahwah, New Jersey. This is because to them, the yams are essentially their only food source, so a family can be in a lot of trouble if the yams drown. Today, we have so many different options for food that we don’t even realize how much of a tragedy it would be for these people if their yams drowned. For this reason, readers must try to sympathize with the time period.
13. It’s My Symbol and I’ll Cry If I Want To
Summary:
14. Is He Serious? And Other …show more content…
The author likes to make the readers feel one way, and then add in an event that leaves them surprised and in shock. By using this dramatic irony, the story remaind interesting and the readers remain engaged. “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down” (Achebe 61).
This is an example of irony because the readers begin to believe that Okonkwo has grown fond of Ikemefuna, which he has. Once the elders bring Ikemefuna into the forest to kill him, the readers expect Okonkwo to turn away or at least cringe at the sight. Instead, as Ikemefuna runs towards Okonkwo and begs him for help, Okonkwo cuts him up mercilessly. This is ironic because Okonkwo had begun to like Ikemefuna, but he ended up killing him with such