The Role of Women in Igbo Culture Compared to Modern Western Society
In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the role of women vastly differentiates from Modern Western Society. Okonkwo’s actions, along with the other men in the tribe, show that a woman is not equal to a man. Although we see that women are the weaker sex throughout the book, they are still essential to a man for many reasons. Men in Igbo Culture have many wives and children. To bear many children, a man must have a woman in your life. In Okonkwo’s case, he has several children with each of his three wives. A woman’s ability to bear children is one of the reasons that make her useful. Along with the ability to bear children, a woman must be a good wife to her husband. These …show more content…
Not only is it illegal, but it is basic human decency. Women have a voice and are not shut out by men. The role of women in Igbo Culture differentiates from a Modern Western Society because of how women are treated, the opportunities women are given, and the titles given to a woman and a man.
In Igbo Culture, women are basically treated as objects, and nothing more. They should be good, submissive wives and bear many children. They are essentially only alive to benefit their husbands. In Things Fall Apart, we see the role of women mostly in Okonkwo’s life. Throughout the story, we understand that Okonkwo is petrified of becoming weak and a failure, like his father. He also believes that being weak is an attribute of a woman. To compensate for this fear, “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children” (13). His wives and children are an outlet for his anger, which is accepted in his culture. If the husband decides to beat or punish his wife, the wife can not stand up for herself, as she will receive a heavier punishment. When Okonkwo brings Ikemefuna to their home, “he called his most senior wife and handed him over to her” (14). When
In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the role of women vastly differentiates from Modern Western Society. Okonkwo’s actions, along with the other men in the tribe, show that a woman is not equal to a man. Although we see that women are the weaker sex throughout the book, they are still essential to a man for many reasons. Men in Igbo Culture have many wives and children. To bear many children, a man must have a woman in your life. In Okonkwo’s case, he has several children with each of his three wives. A woman’s ability to bear children is one of the reasons that make her useful. Along with the ability to bear children, a woman must be a good wife to her husband. These …show more content…
Not only is it illegal, but it is basic human decency. Women have a voice and are not shut out by men. The role of women in Igbo Culture differentiates from a Modern Western Society because of how women are treated, the opportunities women are given, and the titles given to a woman and a man.
In Igbo Culture, women are basically treated as objects, and nothing more. They should be good, submissive wives and bear many children. They are essentially only alive to benefit their husbands. In Things Fall Apart, we see the role of women mostly in Okonkwo’s life. Throughout the story, we understand that Okonkwo is petrified of becoming weak and a failure, like his father. He also believes that being weak is an attribute of a woman. To compensate for this fear, “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children” (13). His wives and children are an outlet for his anger, which is accepted in his culture. If the husband decides to beat or punish his wife, the wife can not stand up for herself, as she will receive a heavier punishment. When Okonkwo brings Ikemefuna to their home, “he called his most senior wife and handed him over to her” (14). When