Feminism in Things Fall Apart

The novel by Chinua Achebe, “Things Fall Apart” was one of the first African stories.  Many views can be taken from her book but in my following blog I will be analyzing it from a feminist perspective. As I was reading this novel, I reminded me and made me feel as if I was back in the era where women were belittled by men.  There are many examples I could give you to prove my point but I will list a few to support my idea. The main warrior “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper.”  He had more than one wife which was custom within the village and he did not treat any of them with the respect that they deserved.  They were more like servants rather than a significant other. Okonkwo would beat his wives when they did don’t do as he told; if the wife had not cooked his food by the time that he had returned it would result in a great painful punishment. One of the main reasons that man married woman was for the property that they would get from the marriage, not for love, as we do today.  It was merely a purchase for property but you would also get the perk of having a wife to cook and care for you.  The way Okonkwo showed his little respect for women was how he talked to them, he would say “Do what you are told, woman,” Okonkwo thundered, and stammered. “When did you become one of the ndichie of Umuofia?”  They even would give woman away as peace offerings to keep the tribe alive.  Thankfully many things have changed but through these details from the story I feel I’ve proved my point of feminism in “Things Fall Apart”.