TFA+Reflections+JennyY

//Things Fall Apart// Literature Circle Reflections

After each literature circle discussion, please complete the following reflection in complete sentences on your page. (Clearly label each discussion reflection.) **What were the two most interesting ideas or insights that were discussed in your group meeting today?** Describe the ideas and insights in as much detail as you can, noting the ideas and connections various members came up with as well as any follow-up questions that were asked. (This reflection needs to be a paragraph in length.)

I was the discussion director and so asked a question about the book: "What is the reasonings behind Okonkwo's abusive behavior towards his family." The common, easy answer we discussed was that Okonkwo wanted his family to be the best they possibly can, and Okonkwo was doing all he can with his efforts to make that happen. However, it seemed a bit too ironic for a man that cares for the success of his family to be beating his wives and babies up. This isn't a necessary nor a common action that should be acted upon a loving family. So, we came up with a conclusion that some of his beatings were intentional in a way for Okonkwo to satiate his anger. In one of the sections, a member mentioned, was where Okonkwo made up a justification for his beating. This shows what an angry man Okonkwo is. This discussion led to Ikemefuna's possibility in having a heavy influence upon the family, or at least on Okonkwo. We think, it is possible that Ikemefuna will somehow influence Okonkwo to become a little bit warmer towards his family. Okonkwo could learn how to show his care and love through this young boy.
 * Reflection 1**

We were answering a question asked by the discussion director. Actually, it became a debate amongst us. The question was, "Whether it was fair or not for women to be sold to men and directed by men." I completely disagreed with this thought while another member completely agreed with the thought. It is very inhumane to have women be sold to whomever for whatever amount of money. They are treated as inferior to men which sounds ridiculous. What makes women not as good as men? Another interesting insight that was discussed was how Okonkwo had finally showed some of his inner thoughts. The author puts up with his inner thoughts where they reflect on the exhuasting day where he had to find Agbula and his daughter. He explains how worried he was and anxiety had overwhelmed him.
 * Reflection 2**

The two most interesting insights were our analysis of the proverb: "Do not disturb the silent". This had a very deep meaning which meant that when you attack a silent group, that means they have something hidden. They have an unknown power that can be very dangerous to us. This explains the white men wiping out a certain tribe in the igbo society. When they killed the man with his bicycle, he was silent. Some time after that, the whole tribe was wiped out because many white men came to attack them. Another interesting insight was how much Okonkwo was worrying. He was soon to be returning to his tribe. He had ben planning for this the first year of his exile. This shows how meticulous he is. He didn't even allow his daughters to marry anyone in Mbano. He was full of pride thanks to his two grown daughters. It was interesting how the subject of Nwoye was brought up because he basically abandoned his father. We knew this was coming, but it happened so rapidly, it took me by surprise. We discussed the causes of why Nwoye ran away to Christianity. As a group, we decided that he would rather be a Christian where he is accepted and acknoledged by many rather than be abused all day by his father without recognition.
 * Reflection 3**

We discussed the change in Okonkwo's feelings and actions. All of my team members strongly agreed that his actions throughout the book showed little or no change. In the beginning of the book, Okonkwo starts off as a fierce, angry warrior, and now that we've read the end of the book, Okonkwo was still angry throughout, and so, it drove him to commit suicide. We were all assuming that Okonkwo would end up as a gentle, benevolent man. And so, the ending surprised all of us. Another interesting insight was the question why Okonkwo committed suicide. There are numerous reasons that led to Okonkwo's filthy actions, but I thought it was because of his anger. Okonkwo was suffocating a great deal from anger of the white men. Then, he was let down by his own clan and was greatly disappointed when he realized the clan weren't going to fight the white men. All the anger and resentment drove him to insanity at a point in where he wanted to escape all these feelings. Okonkwo resorted to committing suicide.
 * Reflection 4**