Questions and Answers
What does Okonkwo say at Ikemefuna's death?
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.
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What happens if a man cannot rule his women and children?
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Bravery is defined as fighting with a woman.
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What does the crime of being female refer to in the text?
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What phrase is used to describe how men behave at a wedding?
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What do the men's stools represent?
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How did Ikemefuna grow in the analogy provided?
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Showing affection is considered a sign of weakness.
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What are examples of masculine tasks mentioned in the text?
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What does it mean when a man says yes, according to the text?
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What kind of stories are considered masculine?
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Nwoye preferred masculine stories over his mother's.
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What does the statement about preferring to be a woman imply?
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What does '[efulefu]' refer to?
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How is the clan Mbanta described?
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What does a man belong to when life is good?
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What is the reference to Egonwanne?
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What would have happened if they had ignored womanish wisdom?
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What does mourning for warlike men highlight?
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What is the significance of paying respect to great men?
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What does the statement about youth becoming soft imply?
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What do the palm-kernels signify?
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What does 'a chick that will grow into a cock' mean?
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What did Okonkwo say about his transformation?
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What does Okonkwo think about Nwoye's growth?
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What does it mean when Okonkwo could not do anything without telling her?
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What was Okonkwo famous for?
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Who does Nwoye resemble?
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What does 'living fire begets cold, impotent ash' suggest?
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What does the phrase 'the seven wasted and weary years' refer to?
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What are the things a man builds for himself?
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What does the woman experience during her moments of depression?
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What does 'his tongue can change cold fire into ash' imply?
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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.
