EST NOTES (Things Fall Apart)

Assalamualaikum.. wanna share some notes wif all of u.. dis is for English studies subject,keh..

THINGS FALL APART. (CONFLICT FACED BY OKONKWO)

EXTERNAL CONFLICT

The first external conflict happened between Okonkwo with his father. This conflict implicitly described trough Okonkwo’s feeling to Unoka. He totally disagreed with his lazy father. However he did not explicitly show any confrontation to his father. His dislike to his father manner can be seen when he tread his oldest son, Nwoye. The boy was the second type of his father to whom he should confront (chapter 1and 2).

Okonkwo’s adoration of his manliness made him neglect women’s power. Even he considered women are weak. In fact, his culture had clear distinction between women and men in terms of roles in household and planting. But, it did not mean that women had no important part. In this case, Okonkwo faced Chielo, an ordinary woman but had role as Agbala’s priestess. Somehow Okonkwo became quite stubborn to this goddess. He broke the law of the Week of peace (chapter 4). When Ezinma was taken away to the cave by Chielo when she was entranced by Agbala’s spirit, Okonkwo challenge her (chapter 11).


The third external conflict was happening with the white men. Their presence was really threatening the elder’s role in the society. Besides, they brought new religion and teaching that frontally neglected their tradition and religion. The white men came and threatened the society as if they had no worth and wisdom. Okonkwo and other spiritual leaders disagreed with the new comers (chapter 21, 23 and 24)

INTERNAL CONFLICT
Okonkwo was surprised when he found himself was in deep ad long grief after the death of Ikemefuna. He experienced it but then he denied it again as if it was not the part of his personality. He cursed himself as woman. His big ambition has taken him out from that reality. However, unconsciously he had been fighting for days. He then realised:
“When did you become a shivering old woman, you, who are known in all the nine villages for your valor in war? How can a man who has killed five men in battle fall to pieces because he has added a boy to their number? Okonkwo, you have become a woman indeed.” (chapter 8, p. 65)

 Okonkwo was loyal to the rule of the society and the tradition of their ancestor.When he had to be exiled out of the village; he found it was difficult since he had to go to a place in which he has no right to be respected as a great man. He received the reality, though he had deep struggle into it. This must be a self conflict for him. He was lucky that he had a wise uncle, Uchende, who receive him with compassion.


 The last internal conflict that was experienced by the main character happened between his ambition and his despair. His ambition to be a respected man was not lasting long anymore because of guilty feeling and despair. After killing the messenger of District Commissioner, he realized that he had killed their brother. It was never taught by their ancestors. It means that he broke the rule once more. He broke it again at the time he had to maintain it. He just did what he was afraid about. This grief made him end his life by hanging himself. He was a failure.

good luck for ur next Monday exam!!

ya Allah.. semoga NUR SAFAWANIE BINTI MOHD SYAHRIL LULUS DENGAN CEMERLANG DALAM PEPERIKSAAN.. :)