TFA+Reflections+Carol

__**Reflection 1**__ //What were the two most interesting ideas or insights that were discussed in your group meeting today?//

The proverb, "The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did, (pg.21)" was rather deep, and it was difficult to grasp the deep idea. Nevertheless, Eldred made a brilliant interpretation: it is more important to praise oneself than to be praised by others. This really fits in to the context, and makes the story more coherent, in general. Not only did the proverb interpretation plunged me in to the book, but the religious elements that were intertwined between the story threw me out. All the sacrifices, oracles, feasts, and prayers could actually be seen as types of religious practices that were not noticeable, but were in place. By dissecting all these elements of religion, I was able to get a deeper insight of the Igbo society.

__**Reflection 2**__ //What were the two most interesting ideas or insights that were discussed in your group meeting today?//

It was interesting how we compared one village's custom to the other. For example, Eldred brought up the point that the drum rolled for Ezeudu's death, but it didn't roll in the other villages. So, we can clearly see how the customs were very different from one village to the other, even if they are closely associated enough to receive news quickly. The tale about the tortoise and the birds was rather fascinating, because Peter said it had a moral: do not be greedy, and share with others. This was a new perspective, because I thought it was like an allegory for the historical event - imperialism. Tortoise could represent the greedy imperialists, and the birds could represent the diligent colonists. This way, I was able understand the importance of tales in this society.

__**Reflection 3**__ //What were the two most interesting ideas or insights that were discussed in your group meeting today?//

One interesting point that was brought up is that there is an evident change in Okonkwo. He is now able to repress his desire to "design" his son. In the beginning of the book, he was very upset, and worried because his son was too woman-like, and therefore scolded him every time he showed a woman-like side. However, in this section, we saw him overcoming the challenge: Nwoye converted into Christian. Yet, Okonkwo accepts the reality: he cannot change, and design his son. In addition, the idea that world is always balanced was another interesting point. The proverb said that positives and negatives are coexistant, and that they are balanced in the world. Hence, the tragedy that Okonkwo is going through should not put him down forever.

__**Reflection 3**__ //What were the two most interesting ideas or insights that were discussed in your group meeting today?//

One interesting point was that Umuofia has a unique culture of holding a meeting frequently. I did not identify this aspect, but Peter pointed out that whenever the village confronts a hardship, they call upon a meeting to solve the problem. Also, it is reflects how Umuofia traditionally worked as a whole, and cooperated well. Also, we discussed about the true reason why Okonkwo must have committed suicide. It was interesting how we were able to come up with the idea that he was not fighting against the British, but was actually combating against himself. He did not commit suicide because he did not like British, or had a dispute with the British; he decided to end his life because he could not bear the fact that he is slowly being a coward. He was almost resembling his father, who was the figure that he despised. Hence, because he was weak (he couldn't influence, and move the crowd), he did not want to live any longer. This identification - self verses self- was an insightful point.