Representation of Gender in ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe

By Komal Shahedapuri

Gender

• Being of a woman or; of man

• Masculine vs. Feminine

• Language can be Gendered

• What are some things that we refer to as ‘him’ or ‘her’ but are inanimate objects

• Cars, house ?

• Gender based discrimination have been one of the most controversial issues of the world. Unfortunately, it happens everywhere, even in the western, industrialized nations that are thought to be closest to an ideal modern egalitarian treatment for women.

• Similarly, from the novel 'Things Fall Apart', mostly dealing with the culture of Nigerian society in 1800's, we can deduce that women were subordinated to men. Analyzing the novel in terms of; interpretation of gender, domestic life of women, women & sexuality and the roles of men, many examples could be found.

• A man's power was measured by his physical strength. If one hasn’t got a name by bloodshed he was called as Agbala which also means woman, which is a quality to be ashamed of. Thus all the young boys were brought up with that doctrine. "Okonkwo encouraged the boys’ toss it with him and told them stories of land-masculine stories of violence and bloodshed."(Page 47)

Role of Man and Woman in Igbo Culture

• Role of Man

• Provide Food & Shelter

• Rule over his Clan

• Take Several wives

• Gain “titles” (Okonkwo)

• Role of Woman

• Give birth and Take care of the children (Ekwefi)

• Cook food for their husband

• Clean and take care of grounds and house

Gender as a Theme

Gendered Society and Culture

• Much of the traditional Igbo life presented in this novel revolves around structured gender roles. Essentially all of Igbo life is gendered, from the crops that men (Yam, king of crops & man’s crop) and women grow (coco-yams, beans & cassava), to characterization of crimes. In Igbo culture, women are the weaker sex, but are also endowed with qualities that make them worthy of worship, like the ability to bear children. The dominant role for women is: first, to make a pure bride for an honorable man, second, to be a submissive wife, and third, to bear many children. The ideal man provides for his family materially and has prowess on the battlefield. The protagonist Okonkwo in the novel is extremely concerned with being hyper-masculine and devalues everything feminine, leaving him rather unbalanced. Much of the gender theme in the book centers around the idea of balance between masculine and feminine forces – body and mind/soul, emotionality and rationality, mother and father. If one is in imbalance, it makes the whole system haywire.

Gender Politics/Roles

• Okonkwo rules his family with an iron fist, Central to his beliefs is faith that a man masters his own destiny.

• Ekwefi, a fearless woman with heroic values. Importance of Motherhood and Childbirth within Igbo African Framework of historical interpretation.

• Yam, symbol of masculinity and good economy.

• Agbala, male god.

• Nwoye and Okonkwo, conflict between father and son.

GENDER QUOTE

“Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper”(2.12)

In the Igbo world, men are the dominant sex and they “rule” over their families, including their wives. Women are relegated to a more or less servile position, often living in fear of their husbands. Though Okonkwo’s quick temper with his family is never portrayed as admirable, he unquestionably has the right to be aggressive at home.

Questions About Gender

• What characteristics are considered distinctly masculine and distinctly feminine? Do such stereotypes hold true in the actions of the actual characters?

• Which characters cross gender stereotypes? What are their occupations or roles in society? How does society react (if at all) to the break from normal gender roles?

• What is the purpose of gender-coding almost every aspect of society –right down to the crops?

• How might Okonkwo’s “sins” be seen as the results of an imbalance between nurturing feminine and aggressive masculine forces?

Work Cited

• Bhalani, Komal. Gender descrimination in Things Fall Apart.17 January 2018 <http://bhalanikomal212011.blogspot.in/2013/04/gender-discrimination-in-things-fall.html>.

• Charlie, Rene. "Gender in Things Fall Apart." slideplayer. 19 January 2018 <http://slideplayer.com/slide/3488338/>.

• "Gender as theme in Things Fall Apart." Shoop. 19 Janu2018 <https://www.shmoop.com/things-fall-apart/gender-theme.html>.

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