Women In Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart, a novel written by Chinua Achebe, shows readers that within the Igbo culture, men and women do not have equal rights. During Okonkwo’s journey in the book, the readers witness numerous acts of violence, disrespect, and lacks of appreciation towards women. Women are treated much more poorly than men are and often times, don’t get the same rights. Chinua Achebe teaches the readers that the Igbo culture has specific rules and standards for men and women. The Igbo culture depicts a society where women are required to live with several duties such as to bear children, care for children, and cook meals. Men get the majority of the power and control while women are forced to obey. The novel shows that in the Igbo society, women's roles go under appreciated despite the fact that these roles, such as bearing and taking care of …show more content…
The novel states that “The woman with whom she talked was called Chielo. She was the priestess of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves.” (37). This goes to show that women have the authority to receive such high standard titles in the Igbo’s religion. If a God is represented through a woman, that must mean woman are worthy of that power. It also means that women can be strong religious figures. For example, Okonkwo recalls his childhood when “the priestess in those days was a woman called Chika. She was full of the power of her god, and she was greatly feared.” (12). The fact that a woman could be feared shows the authority that women have. The text says that “‘Beware, Okonkwo...Beware of exchanging words with Agbala. Does a man speak when a god speaks?’” (78). Okonkwo, being the strong, muscular, honorable man that he is, had to plead to a women who also threatened him. Okonkwo did nothing against the threat, showing how much strength Chielo had over him. At no other point do we see Okonkwo plead to another man or