Gender roles G

Question 1

Masculinity

Answer 1

“The crime was of two kinds, male and female. Okonkwo had committed the female, because it had been inadvertent. “ Chapter 13

Okonkwo’s ‘whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness’ Chapter 2

‘He (Okonkwo) was a man of action, a man of war… he could stand the look of blood. In Umuofia’s latest war he was the first to bring home a human head’ Chapter 2

Question 2

Femininity

Answer 2

‘She [Ekwefi] swore within her that if she heard cry she would rush into the cave to defend her against all the gods in the world. She would die with her. ‘

“The birth of her children should be a woman’s crowing glory” Chapter 9

“She (Chielo) was the priestess of Agbala (the Oracle) … In ordinary life, Chielo was a widow with two children.” Chapter 6

Question 3

Change in roles

Answer 3

‘Okonkwo’s first son, Nwoye, was then twelve years old but was already causing his father great anxiety for his incipient laziness’ Chapter 2

‘I (Okonkwo) have even head even heard that in some tribes a man’s children belong to his wife and her family’ Chapter 8

“If she (Ekwefi) heard Ezinma cry she would rush into the cave to defend her against all the gods in the world. She would die with her.” Chapter 11