Character Analysis - Ezinma

Ezinma 

Ezinma is Okonkwo’s eldest daughter and Ekwefi’s only child. Throughout the novel, Okonkwo favorites Ezinma as she portrays a masculine character, one of which he would hope to see in his sons. Overall, Ezinma is a kind and loving spirit, and a rather conventional yet static and flat character, as she does not display a drastic change in her personality throughout the novel. Although she is a minor character, she develops Okonkwo’s values based on who he is as a person. For example, when Ezinma falls sick with a fever, Okonkwo rushes desperately to find medicinal herbs to cure her at a fast rate. This contradicts with the original depiction of his character as being “strong willed” and “masculine”, unable to show very much femininity and weakness.

In terms of her character’s values, Ezinma presents love as she positively identifies with her family and has high respect for the way others are treated. Her selflessness and willingness to help others presents her character as a very kindred and loving spirit. Secondly, Ezinma highly entails the Ibo religion and culture. For example, when she falls sick with a fever, we learn that she is considered to be the obanjee child – one that is sacred and has gone through many cycles of life (birth, dying, reentering her mother’s womb). In order to break the cycle, she is forced to locate her iyi-uwa that will heal her (magic stone). Although Ezinma is Okonkwo’s favorite child, his character adheres very strictly to the roles of female and male action prescribed by the Ibo culture. For example, he does not allow her to do certain things such as carrying a chair for a certain distance as this is a “boy’s task”. And after a pause she said: “Can I bring your chair for you?”“No, that is a boy’s job.” (Chapter 5) Okonkwo was specially fond of Ezinma. Okonkwo’s strict attachment to gender roles prevents him from showing such passionate affection towards his daughter.

Ezinma’s character throughout Things Fall Part serves as the exemplary ideal definition of a child. This is commonly seen through her relationship with her father, Okonkwo as he values her with much respect and prefers her to his son as she presents an ideal masculine spirit. Furthermore, her relationship with Okonkwo reveals her character to be one that is influential over others and their actions. Ezinma’s character is rather different from other individuals in her family. This is seen through the relationship that she has with her mother. Unlike others, Ezinma addresses Ekwefi by her first name, as if they were equals. “Ekwefi,” she said, “is it true that when people are grown up, fire does not burn them?” Ezinma, unlike most children, called her mother by her name.

Analytical Response: Okonkwo as a "tragic hero"

How does Okonkwo develop themes in the text as a tragic hero? 

Throughout China Achebe's well renown novel Things Fall Apart, the main character Okonkwo is portrayed as a strong willed character that values his powerful and influential reputation amongst others. He is well respected, and shows little to no signs of weakness. The Novel itself, is a study of cross-cultural misunderstanding and the consequences to the rest of humanity when a culture or civilization takes upon itself to invade another culture. An issue throughout the novel that can be discussed in regards to the character of Okonkwo, is as to whether his character serves as a tangible idea of the values of Umuofia, or stands against them in conflict. One of the main events that eventually develops this theme of a "tragic hero" within the character is Okonkwo's capability to kill the young boy Ikemefuna. Yes, on one hand he is fulfilling his cultural values and traditions, but on the other hand it is a conflict between the character himself. Killing the young boy was meant so showcase his bravery and boldness amongst other members of the Ibo tribe.

Ideally, the story is centered around Okonkwo's character as he leads the reader through the events that occur. Based on his presentation at the beginning of the book, he is depicted as a strong and powerful character very much relatable to a tragic hero; a character who makes a judgement that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction. In Things Fall Apart, after Okonkwo accidentally kills his friend's son at his funeral he is exiled away from Umuofia for seven years. This contradicts with our original interpretation of Okonkwo as one to be of a strong willed and respected nature. In the end, Okonkwo's faults and self suffering leads him to committing suicide, his ultimate destruction.

Why does Achebe choose a tragic hero for his protagonist in his colonial counter narrative? 

As Achebe chose for his protagonist to be in the form of a tragic hero in his colonial counter narrative. This can ultimately be seen as a way to victimize the character of Okonkwo against that of the missionaries/colonizers. As Okonkwo is the center of focus for this novel, it allows the reader to follow him from a state of success and strength, to his very demise at the end of the book.

What is the purpose of function of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart? 

Having Okonkwo as the main character of focus in Things Fall Apart falls to the advantage of the reader. His character in general leads the reader through the story, from his rise to demise at the end of the book. Okonkwo is a clear depiction of the culture and ideologies of the Ibo tribe, which later falls apart as Umuofia is colonized and "torn apart" due to the colonization of the British missionaries.

Most Meaningful Takeaway

During Wednesday's English Class, the whole class took part in a group discussion about the Interview "An African Voice" with Chinua Achebe about his novel "Things Fall Part". Throughout the whole discussion, various things were discussed, but for me, the most meaningful takeaway was when we touched base on the subject of the media's presentation of Africa. Knowing that Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart is a strong reflection of wester author's portrayal of the African culture, it was interesting to see his takeaway from the novel itself and what he had to say about the general theme of the story. One of the quotes from the interview that really struck me was when Achebe said, "I knew I had a story, but how it fit into the story of the world -- I really had no sense of that." Throughout his novel, Achebe tells the story from the African's perspective other than the colonizer's, to really draw readers away from this "one-sided" perception of Africa that the media portrays today. We discussed that this portrayal that the media has on Africa being uncivilized, dirty and very much poor might not have been on purpose, but was simply due to a lack in understanding of  the African culture and it's traditional practices. Furthermore, over the years the media has addressed this subject from a very subjective sense other than objective. It was interesting to hear what Achebe had to say as he was quite strongly opinionated on the matter of the subject of discussion, and clearly had his mindset on justifying and serving as "An African Voice" for an entire culture at stake. 

Paper 1: Analyzing a Political Speech

Introduction:

The text representing Ronald Reagan addressing the people of West Berlin can be identified as a speech. This can be said due to the fact that throughout the speech, we can identify that he is addressing a large audience by saying “ladies and gentlemen” and overall, using very inclusive language to address the public such as “We” and “Our”. These are some literary elements that help us understand that the this text is spoken out loud. Raegan’s main goal in his speech is to challenge his audience by resonating with the public. The former President proceeds by presenting his powerful words to the public with ambition and determination in hopes of inspiring his audience through the use of literary elements and rhetorical devices; these will be explored throughout this analysis.

When considering the possible target audience of the speech, the time and place should be taken into consideration. As Ronald Reagan performed his speech in West Berlin, as previously said, his words are intended for the people of West Berlin as well as  the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev. We know this by reading direct statements from Ronald Reagan, openly spoken towards the General Secretary such as when he says, “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace (...) Mr Gorbachev tear down this wall!”. The original purpose of this speech is to inform, convince, and persuade the audience. Ronald Reagan’s goal is to connect with a larger audience, thus being people in Germany and the Soviet Union, and convince the Communist party leaders to tear down the Berlin Wall as an emblem of hope, freedom, and final peace. Throughout his speech, we see the use of inclusive language such as “I invite” and “I pledge you”, ultimately convincing his audience that the power is in their hands, allowing them to feel empowered themselves. Being a visitor in Berlin at the time, Reagan allows himself to feel comfortable and at ease with his audience by addressing them in German as seen in this example; “(...) because wherever I go, whatever I do: Ich hab noch einen Koffer in Berlin. [I still have a suitcase in Berlin]” This use of pathos is obviously appealing to the audience, allowing them to connect and incite relaxed and safe feelings with the speaker.

“Tear Down this wall!” was a speech spoken by former American President, Ronald Reagan to the people of West Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987, commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin. As referred to by the president, the Berlin Wall was known as a symbol of communist oppression built in 1961 to keep Germans from escaping Communist-dominated East Berlin into Democratic West Berlin, standing as a symbol of the Cold War between the US and Soviet Russia in which two political oppositions struggled to find dominance amongst each other. In reference to the content, some enforced themes throughout the speech include those of strength and empowerment which can be identified through Reagan’s choice of diction and inclusive language. Reagan associates himself as being one for the people by making connections between his intentions and their outcome which will surely be brought upon by the people. The speaker places the audience in a position of power, inspiring them to join his path to freedom and liberty. Reagan frequently associates present day Berlin with past events, thus signifying it’s strength and power over the world.

The tone of this speech comes across as rather preachy and philosophical as Reagan frequently poses up discussions of freedom and the reality of the situation. As previously said, the main purpose of the speech is to inform the audience, in hopes of persuading as well as convincing his listeners. Reagan brings questions about the future outcome of the situation with statements such as “(...) it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind.” thus allowing the audience to gather their thoughts as they process the meaning behind this play-on-words. The tone of the speech makes Reagan seem understanding to the public as he presents himself as a humble individual who is in the same position as his listeners. In addition to this, he expresses his thoughts in a comfortable fashion versus condescendingly addressing his audience on a very controversial and sensitive subject matter.

Throughout his speech Reagan employs several literary and rhetorical devices which cater towards his original purpose: to convince Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall for the sake of freedom and restoration of peace between Germany and the Soviet Union. Firstly, one of the most common devices that is used most frequently is the use of pathos and logos. Reagan implements pathos in his words by speaking a few words in German, with the evident intention of appealing to his audience in regards to his location by saying statements such as, “ Ich hab noch einen Koffer in Berlin. [I still have a suitcase in Berlin]”  assuring his audience that he feels comfortable in their country, thus creating a familiar atmosphere for the public.In addition to this, “Es gibt nur ein Berlin” [There is only one Berlin.] is said to empower his audience. In terms of logos, Reagan's makes several references to influential persons who once held/hold a respectable status of importance and power such as President von Weizsacker, the United States Secretary of State, etc. This has a positive and influential effect on the audience as the speaker uses significant evidence to support his claims.

Along with techniques used to persuade and convince such as logos and pathos, Reagan also uses asyndeton when he says, “(…)we’re drawn by other things here as well: by the feeling of history in this city, more than 500 years older than our own nation; by the beauty of the Grunewald and the Tiergarten; most of all, by your courage and determination.” This is used to create a positive presentation of the German people and show evident appreciation for his listeners/hopeful supporters. Thirdly, Reagan effectively uses an antithesis to figure the balance between two contrasting ideas that hold a great importance when he says, “it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind.”. 

The speech reaches it’s climax when the listeners begin to feel the speaker addressing his audience at a faster pace, evidently used to emphasize their main purpose and intentions. Within the climax of the speech, Reagan uses an anaphora to address not only the public but General Secretary of the Soviet Union Gorbachev, repeating the words “If you seek.” Consistently. At this point in his speech, the pace has picked up as he speaks one of the most memorable lines “tear down this wall!”. The use of an anaphora is used a second time towards the end of the speech as Reagan refers to the wall as if it were alive, further emphasizing it’s symbol of power by saying; he says, “Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.”

Overall, the structure of the speech is very straightforward and holds many statistics, as seen in Reagan’s use of Logos throughout the speech. The speaker’s ideas are well organized and move in a consistently smooth flow, with one idea proceeding to the next. While reading the speech, the reader gradually begins to feel a shift in pace as the speaker’s thoughts and main points develop, making it effective and consistent.

 In conclusion, throughout this essay we have analyzed Reagan’s words and his effective use of literary and rhetorical devices. Ronald Reagan’s words remain to be influential to this day and have marked a significant historical event; the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989.