Masculinity in Things Fall Apart
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Questions and Answers

What does Okonkwo say at Ikemefuna's death?

  • It is not bravery when a man fights with a woman.
  • If he was unable to rule his women and children, he was not really a man.
  • Yams stood for manliness.
  • When did you become a shivering old woman? (correct)

    • What did the elders say about a child who washed his hands?

    If a child washed his hands he could eat with kings.

    How does a man's harvest relate to his strength?

    His harvest will be good or bad according to the strength of his arm.

    In the society depicted, yams symbolize manliness.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens if a man cannot rule his women and children?

    <p>He is not really a man.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Bravery is defined as fighting with a woman.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the crime of being female refer to in the text?

    <p>It refers to a crime committed inadvertently, which is seen as less serious.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phrase is used to describe how men behave at a wedding?

    <p>Now they are behaving like men.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the men's stools represent?

    <p>Their own stools brought by their young sons or slaves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Ikemefuna grow in the analogy provided?

    <p>[Ikemefuna] grew rapidly like a yam tendril in the rainy season.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Showing affection is considered a sign of weakness.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are examples of masculine tasks mentioned in the text?

    <p>Difficult and masculine tasks include splitting wood or pounding food.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean when a man says yes, according to the text?

    <p>When a man says yes, his chi says yes also.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of stories are considered masculine?

    <p>Masculine stories of violence and bloodshed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Nwoye preferred masculine stories over his mother's.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the statement about preferring to be a woman imply?

    <p>If anyone prefers to be a woman, let him follow Nwoye.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does '[efulefu]' refer to?

    <p>A man who sold his machete and wore the sheath to battle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the clan Mbanta described?

    <p>It is a womanly clan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a man belong to when life is good?

    <p>A man belongs to the fatherland.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the reference to Egonwanne?

    <p>Because I know he is a coward.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What would have happened if they had ignored womanish wisdom?

    <p>They would not have faced certain consequences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does mourning for warlike men highlight?

    <p>The change of men becoming soft like women.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of paying respect to great men?

    <p>A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the statement about youth becoming soft imply?

    <p>It pleases me to see a young man like you these days when our youth have gone so soft.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the palm-kernels signify?

    <p>Those whose palm-kernels were cracked by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'a chick that will grow into a cock' mean?

    <p>A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Okonkwo say about his transformation?

    <p>Okonkwo, you have become a woman indeed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Okonkwo think about Nwoye's growth?

    <p>I have done my best to make Nwoye grow into a man, but there is too much of his mother in him.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean when Okonkwo could not do anything without telling her?

    <p>He could not do anything without telling her...I thought he was a strong man in his youth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Okonkwo famous for?

    <p>Okonkwo had already become famous for his wrestling and his fearlessness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who does Nwoye resemble?

    <p>Nwoye resembles his grandfather, Unoka.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'living fire begets cold, impotent ash' suggest?

    <p>It suggests that strong personalities can lead to a weak legacy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'the seven wasted and weary years' refer to?

    <p>The seven wasted and weary years were at last dragging to a close.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the things a man builds for himself?

    <p>Those things a man built for himself or inherited from his father.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the woman experience during her moments of depression?

    <p>She had, it was true, her moments of depression when she would snap at everybody like an angry dog.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'his tongue can change cold fire into ash' imply?

    <p>It refers to the power of words and their impact.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Masculinity in "Things Fall Apart"

    • Okonkwo equates honor and strength with masculinity, questioning anyone who shows vulnerability as "a shivering old woman."
    • Igbo culture values achievement; a child's worthiness to dine with kings is tied to their competence and effort.
    • Personal productivity is linked to masculinity, with one’s success deemed reliant on their physical strength.
    • Yams symbolize masculinity within the community, representing wealth and status among men.
    • Masculine identity is intertwined with authority over one's family, measuring strength by the ability to rule women and children.
    • Bravery is contrasted with fighting women, implying a strict code of what constitutes manly courage.
    • Differentiate between male and female crimes, suggesting inadvertent actions by men are less severe, implying a hierarchy of fault.
    • Social respect among men is emphasized during significant events, such as weddings, where proper demeanor is expected.
    • Labor and productivity are valued, with tools and possessions signifying status through lineage.
    • Rapid growth is metaphorically linked to manhood, akin to how yam tendrils flourish in ideal conditions.
    • Expression of affection is frowned upon, as strength is the primary measure of worth, with displays of weakness being undesirable.
    • Gender roles are rigidly defined, with masculinity associated with physically demanding tasks.
    • Personal integrity and fate are expressed as interconnected; individual strength or agreement is mirrored in one's divine destiny.
    • Masculinity in storytelling is valued, with tales of conflict and violence admired, contrasting with gentler narratives preferred by others.
    • Nwoye grapples with masculinity; he recognizes societal expectations but feels drawn to narratives devoid of aggression.
    • There is derogatory commentary regarding men who exhibit feminine traits, encouraging conformity to traditional male roles.
    • The significance of the father's land contrasts with the mother’s refuge during hardship, reflecting gendered expectations concerning familial loyalty.
    • Cowardice is equated with a woman’s nature, highlighting the negative perception of weakness in men.
    • Wisdom that appears weak or gentle is criticized, revealing the aggressive cultural ideals surrounding masculinity.
    • A lament exists for men who have diluted their strength, likening it to femininity—a loss of traditional masculine vigor.
    • The importance of respect in achieving greatness is emphasized, with noted reverence for successful elders.
    • There is a prevailing sense of nostalgia for masculine vigor in youth's character, suggesting societal decline.
    • Humility as a virtue is noted among those who have been blessed by favorable fortunes, hinting at the intertwined nature of masculinity and humility.
    • Predictions of potential are made through observations of youth, inferring masculinity can be detected early in life.
    • Okonkwo is criticized for becoming woman-like, revealing the fragile nature of his masculinity.
    • An ongoing struggle exists to mold Nwoye into a man, showcasing the emotional conflict between paternal expectations and maternal influences.
    • Okonkwo reflects on his past strength, underlining the significance of public perception and personal identity.
    • The destructive legacy of Okonkwo’s character is marked by his struggle with familial bonds and societal norms.
    • The concept of fire serves as a metaphor for masculinity, representing vitality, while contrasting it with the outcome of weakness.
    • Struggles and hardships are chronicled as periods of transition, emphasizing the cultural value of endurance.
    • A man’s legacy is tied to tangible achievements, which are considered his rightful inheritance and a measure of his identity.
    • Female emotional expressions are scrutinized, suggesting a limited understanding and acceptance of complex emotional states in women.
    • The transformative power of speech is highlighted, with implications for understanding social dynamics and personal agency in rugged environments.

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    Description

    Explore the themes of masculinity as depicted in Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart'. This quiz delves into Okonkwo's views on strength, the cultural significance of yams, and the implications of gender roles within Igbo society. Understand how masculinity influences social status and personal identity in the novel.

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