Every culture has its unique set of gender rules and normalities. Women may be encouraged to stay home with the children while the men work to make an income. In some cases, these roles are even interchangeable and it is acceptable for genders to switch responsibilities. In the Igbo culture in the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, however, this is not the case due to the sexism practiced. Through the novel, Achebe presents a sexist culture.
Immediately noticeable, the family structure in the Igbo culture supports sexism. For example, the Igbo culture practices polygamy. Okonkwo has multiple wives, as do many men in Umuofia. The more wives a man has, the wealthier he must be to be able to support multiple wives. Men marry more than one woman for the purpose of improving their stature and gaining sons. This displays the value of the women in the marriage. Their sole purpose is to bear sons, prepare food, and care for the children. In these polygamous marriages, husbands often treat their wives poorly. Okonkwo is very harsh with his spouses. He treats them like servants, demanding they do whatever he commands without asking any questions. His wives are to be silent and obedient, or he will beat them. “Okonkwo ruled his house with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children” (Achebe 13). Okonkwo snaps at his family violently and because of this he frightens his wives and even his children. Okonkwo physically abuses his …show more content…
Many societies today now look at women nearly equal to men, and many women even surpass a man’s success and authority. However in the Igbo culture, sexism is a recurring theme portrayed through the family dynamics, women’s roles in society, and the unchanging nullifying overtone associated with females. It is difficult to envisage such a sexist society like the Igbo in the world
Immediately noticeable, the family structure in the Igbo culture supports sexism. For example, the Igbo culture practices polygamy. Okonkwo has multiple wives, as do many men in Umuofia. The more wives a man has, the wealthier he must be to be able to support multiple wives. Men marry more than one woman for the purpose of improving their stature and gaining sons. This displays the value of the women in the marriage. Their sole purpose is to bear sons, prepare food, and care for the children. In these polygamous marriages, husbands often treat their wives poorly. Okonkwo is very harsh with his spouses. He treats them like servants, demanding they do whatever he commands without asking any questions. His wives are to be silent and obedient, or he will beat them. “Okonkwo ruled his house with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children” (Achebe 13). Okonkwo snaps at his family violently and because of this he frightens his wives and even his children. Okonkwo physically abuses his …show more content…
Many societies today now look at women nearly equal to men, and many women even surpass a man’s success and authority. However in the Igbo culture, sexism is a recurring theme portrayed through the family dynamics, women’s roles in society, and the unchanging nullifying overtone associated with females. It is difficult to envisage such a sexist society like the Igbo in the world