TFA+Reflections+Christine

//Things Fall Apart// Literature Circle Reflections What were the two most interesting ideas or insights that were discussed in your group meeting today?

Reflection 1

 * The two most interesting ideas that were discussed today were about the Week of Peace and Ikemefuna. The Week of Peace mentioned in the novel is a week in which people have to maintain peace in order to honor the earth goddesses. Our group wondered why it is that fighting and beating others are allowed on other days. Okonkwo beats his family members, and we thought that this kind of act should be prohibited all the time. We also discussed about how Ikemefuna gets used to the new environment so quickly. We figured out that he is very lively, and he knows a lot of things: how to make a flute, the names of all birds, various folk tales, tree names. His bright personality and skills help him to adapt to his new household.

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Reflection 2
One topic we discussed today was Ezinma and her evil spirit. The process of curing Ezinma was interesting, but we were a bit confused about how the villagers took away the evil spirit from her. We also wondered if she knew she had an evil spirit inside, or if she didn't, or if the whole idea was just a belief/myth. It would be weird if she had known about her evil side, because she seems to be an ordinary girl and a nice daughter. Another topic we talked about was the fable about the turtle. This fable has a clear message, and we concluded that the message is not to be greedy and selfish.

**Reflection 3**
Today, our group discussed about the influence of the missionaries and Christianity on the Igbo society/people. Some people said that the white men are destroying the people and the village, because they're making a completely new government without getting the people's permission. They're also imprisoning people who disobey them. However, I personally don't think the new religion is ruining the Igbo society. Although the village is very different now, the missionaries didn't really force the people to convert to Christianity. For instance, Mr.Brown doesn't use his authority to make people come to his school. He persuades the Igbo people with kind words. He also listens to the villagers' thoughts about their religion and decides not to attack the village. Another thing we talked about was the difference between Uchendu and Okonkwo. Uchendu seems to be more mature and realistic about the world. He tells Okonkwo to stop complaining about his exile, because he himself has gone through a lot of troubles, too. Uchendu also reminds Okonkwo that he should appreciate his motherland, not only his fatherland.