Critique Questions

1) In the critique they say that the book “Heart Of Darkness” is an “Image of Africa” the reason for this is because it only portrays one side of the story and not the whole story. In the critique they say it as “ the other world” because this story is only telling the side of Europe, westerners, and Africans.

Achebe talks about the book as “the most vulgar fashion prejudices and insults from which a section of mankind has suffered untold agonies and atrocities in the past and continues to do so in many ways and many places today. I am talking about a story in which the very humanity of black people is called in question.”

2) Achebe thinks Conrad as a writer has good talents, but says and I quote “a thoroughgoing racist” because Conrad thinks that the white racism against Africa is such a normal way of thinking that its manifestations go completely unremarked. Achebe also says in the critique that Conrad is concerned not so much with Africa as with the deterioration of one European mind caused by solitude and sickness.

3) Achebe states the following about Conrad: “It is not the differentness that worries Conrad but the lurking hind of kinship, of common ancestry.”  Achebe thinks that Conrad is not worried that Africa is so different than Europe, but that they may be too similar. Achebe is implying in this, that Conrad does not want his homeland to be similar to Africa and its culture.

4) When Conrad uses the concept of good verses evil, or light and darkness Achebe thought and believed he was using it wrongly in his literature. He thought of using them to attack Africa.

5) It is implied by Conrad that Africa is not a peaceful place. However, in Achebe’s book Things Fall Apart, he tells how the tribes went to war and had a justice system. Conrad, on the other hand institutes that the Africans were killers and cannibals.

Poetry Out Loud Poem

The Affliction of RichardBy Robert Bridges

      Love not too much. But how,

When thou hast made me such,

And dost thy gifts bestow,

How can I love too much?

      Though I must fear to lose,

And drown my joy in care,

With all its thorns I choose

The path of love and prayer.

      Though thou, I know not why,

Didst kill my childish trust,

That breach with toil did I

Repair, because I must:

      And spite of frighting schemes,

With which the fiends of Hell

Blaspheme thee in my dreams,

So far I have hoped well.

      But what the heavenly key,

What marvel in me wrought

Shall quite exculpate thee,

I have no shadow of thought.

      What am I that complain?

The love, from which began

My question sad and vain,

Justifies thee to man.

Tribal structure in Things Fall Apart

Tribal things in things fall apart

There are several tribal structures mentioned in this book. The egwugwu, the ozos, and the gods are significant to the tribes and clans within the novel. The egwugwu is an important tribal structure in Umofia.  Nine elderly men represent the nine ancestral spirits, who “represented a village of the clan” page 89.  The egwugwu are called upon for ceremonies and trials; additionally, they appear in a special hut.  The egwugwu mainly serve as the legal council for the clan.  Achebe used the Egwugwu through the book to show that the tribes of Africa did have a form of justice and law. They were able to find reasonable ways in which to settle their conflicts.

The ozos is a very critical part in the structure of Umofia. The men with ozos are held with the highest regard and “ there are only 4 within the clan” page 123. Only few men are rewarded with all four. Most men work hard so the can earn an ozo.

Throughout the entire book the men have complete control over the woman the men all allowed to beat their wives and children. There is however a priestess only to the woman. The men also have a god they go to as well during hard times. The men’s god is Agbala he may be a man, but he is heard of through his priestess, Chielo. Men and Women alike abided to her words because she was “priestess of Agbala” page107.  The people’s actions and words are done in regard to the gods. 

In thing’s fall apart Chinua Achebe compares the African and western cultures they may be different they do have some similarities. Their beliefs and traditions can be related to one another.

Sopa and Pipa

1)Sopa stands for Stop Online Piracy Act. This bill would allow copyright holders to seek court orders against websites accused of enabling or facilitating copyright infringement. This bill also gives immunity to internet services that voluntarily take action against websites dedicated to infringement, while making liable for damages any copyright holder who knowingly misrepresents a website.

2) Pipa stands for Protect IP Act. This bill is a lot similar to sopa but this bill defines infringement as distribution of illegal copies, counterfeit goods, or anti-digital rights management technology. This primarily as a means for engaging in, enabling, or facilitating the activities described. The bill says that it does not alter existing substantive trademark or copyright law.

3)They say that sopa is already shelved and probably dead, however it’s not it’s just simply withdrawn until either popular consensus supports it. They are also protesting Pipa because it’s the exact same thing as sopa except they have made some changes to it, but they both still represent the same thing.

4) Dear Mr. Paul

I'm writing this letter concerning the issue over Sopa and Pipa. I have to agree with them that this is very unfair to us because most people don't choose to use copyright, but because you have seen it you are punishing everybody for one person's mistake and that not right. If this act becomes law then we should not even have Internet to begin with. I think you should give us the benefit of the doubt and trust us plus this is taking away our first amendment right to express ourselves by protesting against something most people strongly believe in. So please think long and hard about what you are doing and how it will affect us.

Sincerely,

Brittany Brinegar

Work sited page

1) News, Fidelis Mbah BBC. "BBC News - Celebrating Nigeria's Yummy Yams." BBC - Homepage. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11385436>.

2) "Nigeria - Culture, Etiquette, Customs and Protocol." Professional Translation Services | Interpreters | Intercultural Communication & Training. Kwintessential.us. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. <http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/nigeria.html>.

3) "Nigeria - Government." Country Studies. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. <http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/67.htm>.

4) "Nigeria - Influence of the Christian Missions." Country Studies. US. Library of Congress. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. <http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/14.htm>.

Africa and Nigeria

1) Traditional method of nigerian yam farming
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11385436

2) The social and political state of Nigeria
http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/67.htm

3) Nigerian tribal customs
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/nigeria.html
yes in the book "things fall apart" it did touch on the things about their customs

4) The impact christianity had on Nigeria
http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/14.htm

1) What does the quote above mean in reference to history?

native americans and european settlers they were at war with each other, the settlers had guns while natives had bows and arrows they were at a big disadvantage.


2) What does Achebe say about dualities?
According to him, it is good to be brave. Though, the coward is looked at differently.  One way, one truth, but his people considered it extreme or dramatic because it is one way.

3)  How does Achebe feel about the clash of cultures in Africa?
the clash of culture has been difficult for africans because it forced them to the strange side they had a hard time transitioning because they had to throw away all they believed