Name: Will Satcher

Date: 7-28-06

Teacher: Mrs. Bosch

Class: English 10 Honors

How I Am Shaped By My Life

All people are shaped by their life experiences, beliefs, and some are shaped by their knowledge of their family history. In addition, many take into account their geography, meaning their placement on the Earth. These are the articles one must take into mind when determining who they truly are. I am shaped by all of these, yet some are more influencing than others. For instance, considering that I do not know much of my family history, I am not influenced much in this respect. Geography does form me more than my family history, yet it is not as significant as my memory. Personally, I believe that I am shaped mainly by my memories (or, perhaps, the lack thereof), although I am also shaped a lot by my geography, and a little by my parents, giving slight but significant family history.
My memory shapes me because I remember how I was when I was a little kid and I wanted to change over the years, so I did. I remember that as a small child I was shy and afraid of many things, thus making me somewhat of a loner until my older years. Because I remember how I was in my younger years, I wished to change myself; therefore, my memories shape me into something different. I am also shaped by my lack of memory, as mentioned earlier. Because I do not remember much of my earlier life now, I can basically become whatever I want-shape myself the way I wish to-because I have no restrictions on what I expect from myself.
My geography also shapes me, although it is probably not as influential as my memory. I live in California, a place where one can find any race of people when one travels to a big city (i.e. San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, etc.). Therefore, I have grown up knowing no racial boundaries. Also, the area where I live is well balanced and safe in the manner of weather. In the summer there is much dry heat and my family lives not far away from the beach, which puts one in an excellent mood. Then in the winter it is cool, not horribly freezing. We also live near to the mountains, so there is a chance to go up and snowboard or ski, which presents an air of happiness. There are not very many noticeable natural disasters in California either which makes it a safe place to live.
I have very little family history to speak of. My mother is mainly Portuguese, yet my father does not know exactly what he is, but he is likely a mixture of some German, Native American, and Scotch-Irish. I do not know many of my relatives very well and I know almost none of my family history. The only families I really pick up any ways of life off of are my mother, my father, my aunt, and my cousin. Other than these four family members, not only do I not pick up any ways of life, but also I rarely see any other relatives of mine. But, although I am shaped very little by my family history, it has caused a significant amount of change in me.
Anything can change a human’s life (for better or worse), no matter how minute the detail is, every person grows each day by learning something that they did not know before. They are shaped by what they already know, and pick up customs and habits from those that they consider their superior. I am shaped by many things, mainly my memory, geography, and very little by my family history. Everything has an influence on my life, as it does on anyone else’s. And these are the things that have shaped my life into what it is now, and will continue to shape it into something different every day.

Name: Will Satcher

Date: 7-24-06

Teacher: Mrs. Bosch

Class: English 10 Honors

Things Fall Apart

Some people like change while others do not prefer it. As newer generations become adults they decide to go their own way and choose their own way of life. Whether one likes it or not, change comes, but through it all one must have pride in their family, heritage, religion, and know where they stand. Okonkwo is the main character of this story, and is forced to choose between fighting and killing those who go against the traditional Umuofian religion-his own people or making peace and going his own way. Some of his people, the elders, choose to keep the Umuofian religion the way it is, which is ultimately the choice that Okonkwo makes. Others, such as Okonkwo’s son, Nwoye, choose to join the Europeans and convert to Christians. Things Fall Apart is Chinua Achebe’s inspiring tale of an African man who must deal with the hardships of new times and changing people shows how Achebe takes pride in family, heritage, memory, language, and life by showing how quickly Okonkwo makes up for his mistakes, by showing how Okonkwo loves his children, even though he does not show it, and how Okonkwo and others, such as Obierika, react to the Europeans and Christianity.
Okonkwo is a simple man who believes a senseless beating can solve almost any problem. A good example is when, during peace week, Okonkwo beats his wife because she had not prepared his meal yet. Not only is beating one’s wife a crime to the Earth Goddess, but this was during peace week, a time when “a man does not say a harsh word to his neighbor,” (30). Because of his error, Okonkwo must make a sacrifice to the gods of one she-goat, one hen, a length of cloth and a hundred cowries. He does this as quickly as possible, and not only does he bring these sacrifices to give to the Earth Goddess, but he also takes with him a pot of palm-wine. This shows that he respects his gods and is willing to give a little extra to be forgiven. Although he is inwardly repentant, he “was not the man to go about telling his neighbors that he was in error,” (31). In addition, although Christianity has many more positive reasons to convert than there are positive reasons to keep the traditional Igbo religion, Okonkwo and many other men choose to stay loyal to their heritage.
Family is important to every person. Without family, one would be all alone. A man must treat his family members according to their value to him, such as children, whom he would not treat the same way as his brother. Okonkwo is rough with all people, including his children, although “inwardly Okonkwo knew that the boys were still too young to understand fully the difficult art of preparing seed-yams. But he thought that one could not begin too early… Okonkwo wanted his son to be a great farmer and a great man,” (33). Achebe shows his love for family by showing that even the roughest men in the world still love their family, though they may not show it. He also shows how family is of great importance to him by showing how significant Okonkwo’s clansmen are to him in his life. There are many feasts and Okonkwo is respectful to every one of his clansmen at each feast. There are even some times when Okonkwo insults a clansman, but he always apologizes. One such incident was when a man had “contradicted him at a kindred meeting… Without looking at the man Okonkwo had said ‘This meeting is for men.’ The man who had contradicted him had no titles. That was why he had called him a woman… The oldest man present said sternly that those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble. Okonkwo said he was sorry for what he had said and the meeting continued,” (26). This is an Umuofian proverb, and also shows how Achebe takes pride in his language, although it may seem hidden. He gives examples of how his people speak and the sayings that they have, each containing a valuable lesson, sometimes in the form of a story or song. Although clansmen are not necessarily related by blood, most could still consider them family, as they are always there beside a man, whether at war or at his deathbed. Okonkwo would never go against any of his clansmen, as long as they stay true to the culture and traditions of Umuofia.
Which presents how the author takes pride in heritage and religion: by showing it is right to stay true to what one believes in. Toward the end of the book, the Europeans were brought in to show how things did indeed fall apart in the Igbo tribes. Because of the Christians, many people disregarded their former gods and went their own way, except for some of the Umuofians, including Okonkwo. Several people chose to convert to Christianity, such as Okonkwo’s son Nwoye. Because of this, the people have been torn apart and do not believe in the same Gods, creating great disruption among the people. When Nwoye converted to Christianity Okonkwo was so angry with him that “[he] did not wish to speak about Nwoye,” (144). The people of Umuofia could not go to war, because it was “already too late… [Their] own men and sons have joined the ranks of the stranger,” (176). If they were to fight the Christians, they would be fighting their own people, and destroying their own families. Achebe shows that’s these people care too much about their family and their heritage to destroy it all. Okonkwo eventually kills himself to remind the people of where they stand. He wants them to remember their heritage and their traditions.
Chinua Achebe dignifies his respect for family, heritage, memory, language, and life by showing how each of them are important not only to him, but to every human being, African, European, and all else. He shows that they are strong when together, and that they do not want to fight each other. He places proverbs and other examples of the African language in his writing, and shows how important it is to remember where you come from and your family’s heritage.




































Works Cited

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart: Anchor Books; New York

Things Fall Apart
Part 3 Questions

1. Achebe brought in the Europeans at the end to illustrate the power of influence and show how quickly it can occur. The Europeans easily tore apart families and friends who were nearly inseparable simply by showing others their religion. Achebe wanted to show how quickly things can fall apart, thus giving the book its title. By bringing in the Europeans, Achebe showed us how the Igbo people react in differing ways to violence and how they easily change a disagreement into a big problem.

2. The people of Umuofia have become careless and cowardly. They are careless because they do not take into account how dangerous the Europeans are, as they eventually separate the people by changing their beliefs, and because they no longer believe in the same gods, which greatly disgraces their people. They are cowardly because they do not stand up against the Europeans; even the strongest of men keeps his mouth shut, except of course for Okonkwo.

3. The court messengers transport information from the commissioner to the elders and leaders of Umuofia. In addition, they are guards at the prison that the Europeans built. When someone disobeys the white man's law, he is taken to Umuru to be executed. However, the traditions of Umuofia are different. When someone commits a crime to the gods and Umuofia, they must either offer sacrifices or they are exiled.

4. Obierika says, "'it is too late'" because if they go to war with the Christians, they will be killing their family who are now Christians. The people of Umuofia are outnumbered and the village will be destroyed, meeting the same fate as Abame. The white men were clever because they came to the village quietly and showed the people that they can overcome “evil spirits.” This made them seem harmless, so the leaders permitted them to reside in the evil forest. Obierika may be considered a transitional figure because he says that fighting will not solve these problems, and he also knows that there is no way to reason with the Europeans.

5. Mr. Smith was not as friendly as Mr. Brown. In addition, Mr. Smith did not understand the people of Umuofia, and he was not as brave or clever. Akunna and Mr. Brown's discussion showed the biggest differences between the two religions. It also presented the idea that people of differing religions can still be friends. Enoch killed a spirit when he took off the mask of an egwugwu, and there are harsh consequences to one who does this. The two religions do not comprehend each other's background and importance of certain rituals.

6. The white men present the opportunity of a decent education and new trade stores. This is significant to some, but not to Okonkwo. Some of the people want their children to be educated. Therefore, they send their kids to Mr. Brown's school. Mr. Brown teaches stories of his religion in addition to basic school studies. This adds to the amount of people converting to his ways.

7. The District Commissioner said he wanted his men to hear the stories being told by the men of Umuofia. Instead, the twelve men overpowered the leaders and handcuffed them. Okonkwo is greatly bothered by this and tries to hold back his anger. He slayed the messenger because he was irritated, not only by the men but by the people of Umuofia. Also, he thought that they would be going to war against the men anyway. Okonkwo knew he was going to be executed, and he wanted to show his people what had happened to them. When he committed suicide, he was trying to show the people of Umuofia that the people are being torn apart. He is isolated because he is angry at the Europeans and is not in the mood to be social in any way-he only wants revenge. I would consider him a tragic hero because he tried to speak for his people and ancestors, yet none would listen to him. For this reason, he had to commit the offense to show the people what they had become


8. The District Commissioner would probably write this paragraph of his story about Okonkwo giving him very little credit. He would probably call Okonkwo a coward and a fool, when actually he was really trying to show his people how they have fallen apart. The people had forgotten who they are and where they come from. Achebe, however, made Okonkwo the subject of the entire story to show how ignorant and thoughtless the Europeans were.

9. Things fell apart because of the white man coming to Africa, but more important, Christianity coming to Africa. It makes one wonder what would things have been like if the Europeans had never arrived in Umuofia. Another reason things fell apart was because of differing opinions between the elders and the younger generations. But because of these problems, the people went their separate ways, and then fought over which was the right way. This sends the message that you should stand up for yourself and not try to force your opinion onto others. When you do this, you not only hurt others, but you can hurt yourself (or those others can hurt you).

10. English speakers relate to the tribes on a higher level because of the African English mix. It gives us a chance to understand what the Igbo people stand for and their customs. The cross of the two cultures compares African ways to English ways side by side, and, though at times can trail off or be a bit confusing, makes it easier to understand the basic thoughts of the Igbo people.

Things Fall Apart
Part 2 Questions

1. Okonkwo has taken his family to his motherland, Mbanta, because his mothers kinsmen live there and he will be accepted there. Okonkwo despairs because he will not be able to return for seven years. However, his uncle, Uchendu, is relieved that it is only a female ochu, and therefore has a less severe punishment. He scolds him because Okoknwo things he is the "biggest sufferer in the world," even though he isn't completely banned from his village.

2. The Abame clan has been wiped out by white men on "steel horses." The people were told that he would bring evil to the people, so they killed him, later his friends came and wiped out the inhabitants of the Abame clan. Uchendu accounts for the foolishness of the Abame clan by saying that you should never kill something silent, there is something ominous about it. Okonkwo says they were foolish because they did not arm themselves with weapons after killing the white man, as his companions were coming afterwards. Uchendu's reactions seems wiser to this situation, but to some it may seem less logical, considering their tribe's traditions. By saying "there is no story that is not true," he means that what may seem fake to some is the reality for others.

3.Obierika visits Okonkwo the first time to give him the money he had earned for his yams and other profits. The second time, he comes with the less happy news of telling Okonkwo that his son, Nwoye, has joined the Christian Church, although Okonkwo already knows of this. Nwoye has converted to Christianity because it gives him a sense of comfort, and relieves his soul. The sources of misunderstanding between the Igbo and the missionaries are that they say there is only one god when these people have learned all of there life that there is a god for each object, and because they tell the people of Jesus, confusing the people between the concept of one god or more. Also, they question if god has a wife, since he has a son. Those who have nothing to lose, are outcasts, or are having a hard time with life and do not believe much in their own gods, turn to Christianity. Because of Nwoye's conversion, Okonkwo no longer accepts him as a son.

4. The Christian church had a few crises, one of these being built on evil land. People did not quite accept the church at first, but after a while there was peace. The people are content to leave the christians as they are because they don't feel that the Christians could pose a threat, and they could just drive them out of the town if they became too annoying. There are huge differences between the Christians and the gods of the Igbo people. For instance, in Christianity, there is only one god who rules all. To add to that, they give salvation to any who need it, including those banished from the village, or osu.

5. The changes of the newer generations are the fact that they can just change easily from one belief to another, and can leave their family without feeling any sacrifice. They don't know the meaning of kinsmanship and that is why the elders are worried about them-they are too easily separated from each-other. This wide spread conversion into Christianity will cause people to believe in the white man and follow him, even though he may be wrong. Also, this behavior of the new generations will cause clans to separate, leaving people vulnerable to manipulation.

1. Okonkwo is a physically strong man , however he is rather weak minded, short tempered and extremely threatening, although he has a soft side inside of him. He works to achieve greatness by fighting and farming, and following his beliefs, trying to earn a title. He differs from western heroes greatly because most western heroes have a somewhat kind and peaceful outer being, instead of being so threatening.

2. Unoka was a lazy man who was indebted to almost everyone in the village. For this reason, Okonkwo greatly dislikes his father. Okonkwo wants to be a better man than his father and he does not want his children to be lazy like Unoka was. By showing Unoka's failure and Okonkwo's success the book shows that those in the Igbo society can differ greatly and can learn from the mistakes of earlier generations. One would succeed in this culture by farming and the taking of titles. The taking of titles is like a rite of passage and a trophy of recognition, so to speak. However, Unoka seems to be excluded from opportunities to gain success in this way.

3. The narrator in this book, in my opinion, is very informative, however a bit plain. It seems like he trails off into too much detail. For instance, when he has a few paragraphs of how to farm yams, which is not the most important thing in this book. This "voice" really has no point of view. It favors none and just tells the story how it is.

4. The setting is obviously in Africa, perhaps some time in the 1950's-60's. Social life is organized in this manner: the gods are probably the most important thing, as one must have the favor of the gods to survive; men are more important than women, seeing as men may have three wives. Probably the most important celebration is peace week, a time where "a man does not say a harsh word to his neighbor." The reasons for war may vary, while war between tribes is not always wanted, but needed, while religion was probably the most important thing, and the arts were for both entertainment and rituals. The relation of the individual to the community is that one person may mess everything up for the entire community. In comparison to my culture, although gods are one of the most important things to many people in my culture, for most there is only one god. The lifestyle is in many ways the same as mine, although with less farming (at least for the moment) there is much work involved. Their customs have much to do with respect to the elderly, as with my culture; however, many people disrespect that.

5. The people in this book are really afraid of the night, as the creatures become even more cunning at night. The people hide themselves inside and even call a snake a "string" for fear it will know what they are saying. They also fear evil spirits during the night.

6. An accidental gun explosion causes the death of a clansman, who was also the son of the village's deceased priest. The user of the gun, Okonkwo, is sent away for seven years before he may come back, even though it was an accident.

7. Yams are the most important crops of them all. It is a "man's crop." Sharecropping is when one man provides the seeds and the other farms them, and they split the profit (whether it be money of the actual food). The "woman's crops" are maize, melons and beans (basically anything but yams). The relation of women to agriculture is that the Earth Goddess is a woman; therefore, if someone does something bad to a woman the Earth Goddess will be angered and not let a man's crops grow.

8. Okonkwo's relationship to his children is based on his command. If he wants them to do something they do it and usually do it right as he threatens them (although he knows in his heart they are mainly too young). In this culture a woman cooks, cleans, decorates, and takes care of children, while men fight, farm, do other more tasking work, and are the leaders of the family. Okonkwos attitude toward women is mostly that he will use them as he wishes, like anything else, yet in his heart he does not want anything bad to happen to them.

9. Okonkwos crime that causes him to be reprimanded and that ruptures the flow of peace week is the act of beating his wife for not feeding him when he is ready for his meal. It tells me much about their religion and how highly they regard it. They do not want to anger the gods in any way. According to Ezeani, however, wife beating is unacceptable even when not in peace week because it angers the Earth Goddess greatly.

10. I feel that they have rather strange and sometimes cruel punishments, and abnormal ways of living in my culture (for instance, multiple wives). I believe I am responding to their ways of living in this way because I live in such a different culture compared to theirs. The thing that probably seems most familiar to me is the belief that women should stay at home and take care of the home and the children, etc. (although personally I do not believe that way).