TFA+Reflections+Jane

The two most interesting ideas and insights that were discussed today among our literature circle was 1) What will happen to Okonkwo?, 2) Will Ikemfumi change Okonkwo? Both of the questions couldn't be answered because they weren't introduced to us in chapters 3-5. Therefore, we just guessed on what will happen but we based our guesses on what happened in the past to Okonkwo. These two questions were very interesting to me because it dealt with something that we didn't yet know in the story. I also thought that our discussion on the proverbs were interesting. Each of us had different insights and interpretations on each one and we had a hard time agreeing on the meaning of each.
 * Reflection #1**

Our group found the issue of "Do you think it's fair that Akuke's bride price is determined by his father?" very interesting. Jenny and I thought that this particular society was being sexist by treating women and men very differently. Women were being sold and bought without their consent to the men. However, Sam thought that the society was being fair enough because it only affected a small portion of the world, unlike Hitler's case, giving impact to the world. I think this is a very illogical statement. If this was true, then do you agree that genocide should be allowed in small islands and countries just because they don't affect the other side of the world? I know for a fact that I don't.
 * Reflection 2**

Today we discussed on Okonkwo's qualities in depth. First of all, we thought that it was important to notice that the mental burden on Okonkwo has become greater in this section. He is dismayed and devastated when he finds out that Nwoye, his son visits the missionaries and discusses about Christianity. He believes that Christianity is breaking down the society and turns men into "women". He becomes very worried of what will happen if all the men were to convert to Christianity. Another thing we noticed was that despite Okonkwo being secretive about his emotions, deep down, he is a very kind and grateful man. Before his departure from Mbagfa, he prepares a grand fiest for his relatives and friends that lived with him for the past seven years. In the text, Okonkwo clearly expresses his gratitude towards the locals, thus preparing a fiest for all the good things the locals had done in for him and his family.
 * Reflection 3

** Today, Jenny, Sam and I agreed that Okonkwo's personality did not change at all through out the course of the book. His final action of committing suicide was caused by his frustration and anger at the missionaries. Okonkwo was always full of anger and hate. Even his final decision shows how full of anger he was in. ** We also noticed that the entire book was written in the Commissioner's point of view. We figured this out by reading the last few sentences. Although we didn't have a chance to discuss this question, I questioned myself of what would happen to Okonkwo's family. In this society, it seems that the men are the ones that go out and earn money and the women have to stay home to take care of the children. Without Okonkwo, how would his wives and children survive?
 * Reflection 4