Things fall apart written by Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian depicts a story of pre and post-colonial life of the Igbo society in Umuofia. The story begins with vivid descriptions of Okonkwo, the main character of this novel and how he defies odds to claim the status he has in his society. Even with a bad role model father, he copes to succeed in his life through his accomplishments as a fighter for his village, marrying three wives and managing his farm. One day, he was exiled to Mbanta as a punishment, his motherland along with his family due to an accidental murder of a fellow kinsman in Umuofia. His pride and dignity began its downfall ever since because he was not in Umoufia. It becomes worse when the white missionaries arrive in Mbanta and
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As stated previously, one of the requirements of being a high social status person in the Igbo community is to have well produced yams. In this story, yam symbolizes wealth and masculinity.
Yam, the king of crops, is a very exacting king. (Achebe, 1959; 24)
Compared to beans, maize and melons, yams require extra care, hard work and constant attention from sunrise to sunset. In other words, if yams were compared to the people in Umuofia, yams would represent men because men in the Igbo society does all the hard work to care for their family and would also like the same undivided attention to be given to them by the society.
He was a wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams and had just married his third wife.
(Achebe, 1959; 6)
“That woman standing there is my wife, Mgbafo. I married her with my money and my yams.” said Uzowulu.
(Achebe, 1959; 69)
Based on both evidence mentioned above, yam is shown as a sign of wealth. When one has yams, this means they are capable of handling their barns which also means a successful person and could provide for the family. In these excerpts, Okonkwo and Uzowulu are wealthy men who managed to be married to a bride because they are wealthy and the measure of wealth is through the bags of
As stated previously, one of the requirements of being a high social status person in the Igbo community is to have well produced yams. In this story, yam symbolizes wealth and masculinity.
Yam, the king of crops, is a very exacting king. (Achebe, 1959; 24)
Compared to beans, maize and melons, yams require extra care, hard work and constant attention from sunrise to sunset. In other words, if yams were compared to the people in Umuofia, yams would represent men because men in the Igbo society does all the hard work to care for their family and would also like the same undivided attention to be given to them by the society.
He was a wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams and had just married his third wife.
(Achebe, 1959; 6)
“That woman standing there is my wife, Mgbafo. I married her with my money and my yams.” said Uzowulu.
(Achebe, 1959; 69)
Based on both evidence mentioned above, yam is shown as a sign of wealth. When one has yams, this means they are capable of handling their barns which also means a successful person and could provide for the family. In these excerpts, Okonkwo and Uzowulu are wealthy men who managed to be married to a bride because they are wealthy and the measure of wealth is through the bags of