TFA+Reflections+Susie


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

1. Okonkwo's personality.

One of the most interesting ideas that were discussed in my group meeting today was Okonkwo's personality. Although we did touch a little on his physical appearance, I believe that what was more important was the thoughts, feelings, actions, and challenges that made up the character. Okonkwo is a man who is afraid of weakness and to become like his father. Because of his fear, he tries to cover it up with some of his actions, such as beating up his wife or hiding his feelings to others. Okonkwo is generally a weak but violent man.

2. Okonkwo's behavior towards his wife and his intentions.

The other most interesting ideas discussed was about his abusive behavior towards his wife and his intentions from it. Okonkwo first violently beat up his last wife the first time after a mistake that she has made. The second time was his second wife, and Okonkwo found an excuse to beat her up when he had no intentions of correcting his wife. When the wife talked back he even shot his bullets towards her, luckily missing. The two times he has lost himself in is anger, violently beating them without thought. This shows how Okonkwo's intentions of the abusive behavior is mostly to let out the anger inside him.


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

1. Okonkwo's changes towards others around him. 2. Proverb "What goes around, comes back around"

During the discussion today, our group talked about either Okonkwo has changed or not. During the chapters we had discussed, Okonkwo shows the affection towards his daughter of his second wife. However, I believe that it was not a sign of change to Okonkwo, because before, he has shown that same affection to his "son", Ikemefuna. Other than Okonkwo, our group also discussed the little proverb told in the story of the tortoise. This proverb had the same meaning as "what comes around, comes back around." I believe that this was interesting, because no matter what culture, the same ideas exist.


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

1. Okonkwo's bond with Enzima. 2. Mr. Brown and Reverend James Smith

During the discussion today, our group talked about Okonkwo and his hope for Enzima to be a son, and the difference between Mr. Brown and Reverend James Smith. Although some thought the main reason for the hope of Okonkwo was because he was sexist, it was mainly because of his bond with Enzima. He thought that Enzima was the one who understood him the most and she was the one he could most bond with. We also talked of Mr. Brown and Reverend James Smith. Mr. Brown is one of peaceful ways to bring Christianity, when Reverend brought many conflicts to the Igbo society.


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

1. The cause of Okonkwo's suicide.

During the discussion today, our group talked about what was the cause of Okonkwo's suicide. Some of us talked about how it might be that he was tired of the society changing and into a womanized way. And also some believed that it might be because he realizes what he did wrong so far. However, I believe that it was because he lost everything, even the things he wanted the most. Okonkwo, from the very first chapter, has wanted power ever since the beginning. However, when the society begins to change, he has lost most respect from his fellowmen, and he gains no power over them, either. Not only that, he has lost much of his wealth from the burning of his sins a few chapters back. But on the other hand, it might be because of all these reasons that he has committed suicide to escape from his Igbo society.