Rosiah binti Omar

Week 4- Perfect character a delusion or reality

            Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration to his people when he defeat Amalinze The Cat who have never lose to any battle or fight. After he defeat Amalinze,  he became famous among Umuofia’s people. however, okonkwo also bring disappointment to his people when he disrespected the week of peace. All people did not respect him because they believe that Okonkwo has done a bad things to their God, and he should never be respected by others.

           Characteristics of okonkwo in my nations leader is hardwork and eager to earn a positions of high status in community. It is clearly seen in the society. When he managed to defeat Amalinze The Cat, all the people respect him and point out him as a leader of the clan. 

I can relate Okonwo's characteristic with our former Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. He is hardworking always tried to give the best for his country. Eventhough, there were many obstacles he had to overcome, he still managed to get the independence for Malaya. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo was a person who was very hardworking and always tried to get as much as he could for his life, wives and children. Besides that, Okonkwo's characteristic that I found in Tunku Abdul Rahman was he always upholding his own principle and never gave up on what he already started. 

Rosiah binti Omar

Week 3- Religions and Superstitions

I think that I agree with Karl Marx. Religion guides us to stay on the right track. There is no religion who taught their follower to become evil, thief, rapist, or murderer. Religion is a very important aspects in our life, without religion we will lost and don’t have any aims or goals for our life. However, in the case of Umuofia, I think their native religion stunts their development because they seem to follow what their ancestor’s believe. They don’t want to take any paradigm shift towards their life and religion. If they can think better, their life would be more valuable.

            The new religion which is Christianity, had brought the changes and development to Umuofia. All the people in Umuofia can think before taking any actions or decisions. As the new religion came, they banned all the things that not good for themselves, for example, before the Christianity came, they killed the twin baby but now they can accept the twin baby in their community.

            I think that superstitions and religions affect the development of a country because that set of belief help to sustain positive aspects of individual behaviour that enhance productivity. The new religion also creates the human capital who have many good behaviour and positive thinking.

            One’s belief affects the nation in terms of politics and culture because one’s can change the whole world only using his mind and power. They can spread the bad propaganda and slander about someone or something that can affects others.

week 4

              

Perfect Character A Delusion or Reality

In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?

It is possible if the intention of the governance changed. At first it might be honesty that drives him along but as time goes by, he might found another interest such as money or power. When this happens, the longer the person is in charge, then the more awful the people get treated. To find such a good leader with excellent qualities are indeed hard but if the people had known of the true intention of the leader, they must act against him. The people must play their role to get the good instead of only longing for it to come by itself.

In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:

•             How has Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration and disappointment to his people?

Okonkwo had once known as ‘The Roaring Flame’ for his courage, strength and power. He had defeated Amainze,the cat who was a tough fighter from the other village to make his people grant him that title. He was inspiring the people by that sense and plus when he grew up, he married three wives, got children and own his own yam field. It was symbol of a successful man in Umofia. He was considered a respected man before he was casted away from his village for accidentally killed a young boy. When he returned to Umofia, he was shocked to find that the missionaries already affected the village and the people in it. He tried to fight back and do all his might to rebel. He was disappointed with his kinsmen whom he adored so much as they had turned feminine for not fighting the missionaries. At last, he acted by killing one of the messenger abruptly in the market in front of his people and that had brought questions to them, wondering why did he commit such an act. Okonkwo later felt so depressed by the villagers and there were nothing more he could do to save his people, he decided to take his own life by hanging himself on a tree. And that is considered a taboo for Ibo tribe, to kill own life. In the end, his people disappointed in him and could not even touch him to get him buried properly although he was once a great man.

•             What are the characteristics of Okonkwo that you can find in your nation’s leader?

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, is the former prime minister of my nation and he is indeed a great man, just like Okonkwo. The characteristics of Okonkwo which is strong, intelligent and dependent are reflected in Tun Mahathir’s personality. He had never quit to make Malaysia a great country and did his best to protect her from any harm. The same goes to Okonkwo when he tried to protect Umofia from the missionaries. Okonkwo wanted his children to be successful and Unoka, his son to respectable be like him and Tun Mahathir wanted the same for his children. The only difference they have is Okonkwo died in such not pleasant way but Tun Mahathir retired respectably after performing his duties as Prime Minister of Malaysia for 20 years.

by : Ateeq Medina

week 3

 Religions and superstitions

Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?

Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?

The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:

•             Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.

•             Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?

•             How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?

Yes I do agree with him  as ‘religion is the opium of people’ or more to the need of the people. People or humans ought to lean or rely to the greater power themselves thus religion plays that part well. superstitious belief was practised by all the Ibo tribe in the novel Things Fall Apart and they do take it seriously.The Umofia’s religion had restricted some rules for the native as there are few rules that are fatal or considered not appropriate such as the killing of the twin babies because they are considered bad omens. That example reflected that the native doesn’t develop in the sense of science because they did not aware of the fact that twins are formed because of genetic and have nothing to do with bad omens.  Their beliefs that are sometimes too superstitious which is believing that evil forest contains evil spirits and no living things could live there because that is the place where they vanish the sick people to die and cast evil spirits to and leave the twin babies to die. But then when the ‘new’ religion stayed there later, they managed to live and even built a church there. This has opened the eyes of some of the natives there about their superstitions. They slowly developed to become the more civilised native.

In my race which is Malay, there are some sets of superstitions that were introduced by our ancestors. It was told to have been a guide for the people since a long time ago. For example, cutting the nails at night are not allowed because it is feared for us to die at the young age. The rational explanation of this superstition belief is that during the time of our ancestors, there was no electricity so they could not see well at night thus cutting the nails would be dangerous because they can injured themselves. Nevertheless, I personally does not have any superstitions that I find difficult to discard because as for me, everything have a reason for them to happen and we just need to find just that.

by: Ateeq Medina

SITI AMIRA BINTI SALLEHUDIN

Week 4

In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?

In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:

• How has Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration and disappointment to his people? 
• What are the characteristics of Okonkwo that you can find in your nation’s leader?

                Okonkwo is the main role in Things Fall Apart. He is known as a tragic hero because at first he displayed as a tough who represent strength. It is because when he was 18 years old, he had won a fight over Amalinze the cat. It considered as a big achievement of him because Amalinze had never been defeated for 7 years. Besides that, he had no patience with unsuccessful man especially towards his father – Unoka. Therefore, he determined to gain his own wealth since his father doesn’t have anything to be inherited to him. Those are the examples why Okonkwo has been a figure of inspiration.

                Aside from that, Okonkwo has been a disappointment to his people because of his impatient. He tends to decide on his own about attacking the colonist for coming to his place. The people of the Igbo didn’t join him as they know that they would get punished if they did it. Consequently, he had been punished by stay alone in the Evil Forest. It can be conclude that if you object good thing others give you, there I consequences for the objection.

                Despite that Okonkwo is an impatient man, he is a brave man too. It shows that when no one supports him to go against the colonist, he still go against. Even though it is a bad example to do so but it shows that he is determined on what he is will. When Sabah been attacked by the Sulu when they claimed that Sabah is theirs’, our nation’s leader determined that he will never give Sabah to the Sulu.

WEEK 3

Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?

Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?

The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:

• Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel. 
• Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
• How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?

                In Things Fall Apart, superstition like twins bring bad luck is very unacceptable culture for me. Babies are like a white cloth. They are pure and innocent as they know nothing about anything and yet they’re being sacrifice since it has been the culture for the Igbo’s people. Other than that, the killing of Ikemefuna is another Igbo’s culture that does not make sense for me. It is because Ikemefuna is being sacrifice because of his father’s fault. It is unfair for the person who receives the punishments instead of the person who did the crime. Since Ikemefuna knows nothing, he just follows Okonkwo back to his house. Besides that, it is the Igbo’s culture for having the women stay at home and do the house chores and obey the husbands only. For example, Okonkwo’s wives have to serve him and obey him. Any activities that do not have any approval from Okonkwo, he will be furious about it and acts violent towards the wives.

                In my opinion, superstitious beliefs and religion do affect the development of the country. For example, before the colonisation happens, the Igbo’s people seem to live in the dark with unacceptable superstitions and culture. When the colonisation happened, the White people gave preach about Christianity to the Igbo’s people. Moreover, they provided some proper education to the villagers which they never had before the colonisation. After that, we could see that there were some changes in the villagers such as they attend the classes provided by the colonist to improve their life. For example, Nwoye attended the classes because he can’t stand his own culture’s beliefs. As conclusion, superstitious beliefs and religion do affect the mind of the people which eventually affect the development of the country.



BY : SITI AMIRA BT SALLEHUDIN

WEEK 4 Perfect Character A Delusion or Reality

SITI NOOR AMIRA 

In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?

In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:

• How has Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration and disappointment to his people? 
• What are the characteristics of Okonkwo that you can find in your nation’s leader?

Okonkwo plays as the main role in the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. It is shown as a tragic hero who in the beginning, the author represents him as a tough and brave man. A man who possesses a quality of masculinity.  In his youth, he brought honor to his village by beating Amalinze the Cat in a wrestling contest. Until his match with Okonkwo, the Cat had been undefeated for seven years. This shows how powerful Okonkwo is. He is an inspiration for the youngest. He also does not portrays the attitude of his father. His father is lazy man and he is totally different from him. He gains wealth by his own effort. He does not depend on anybody just like some of the villagers that inherit from their heir. It will be a proof that Okonkwo is a character that we should emulate. Unfortunately, not all people can achieve the glory until they die. Okonkwo is going to fall down when the missionaries come. It begins when his son turns back on him. He chooses to follow the missionaries then the villagers also one-by-one try to adapt the new religion. From here, Okonkwo starts to give a disappointment not only for the villagers but also for the readers. He cannot face the problem and lastly he commits suicide by hanging himself on a tree. 

Okonkwo's characteristic that I find in my nation's leader is brave to face the enemy. Lately, our country has been attacked by the intruders from Sulu tribe. It was very violent when they came to Malaysia to claim for Sabah. They killed the policemen and armies and this cannot be forgiven. Our Prime Minister said that Government will not compromise on the safety, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Malaysia. It shows that he does not afraid of any threat given by the enemy. 

WEEK 3 Religions and superstitions

SITI NOOR AMIRA  

Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?

Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?

The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:

• Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel. 
• Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
• How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?

In the novel Things Fall Apart, at first it seemed that everyone was superstitious and truly believe in their god. They believe in the killing of the baby as the twins will bring bad luck to their society. So, they just followed the the superstition blindly without think it logically. Besides, the incident when they killed Ikemefuna for the fault of his father. It is a criminal as they cannot punish or execute someone who is not doing the crime. It is his father's fault but Ikemefuna has to endure and face it. It is very unfair. 

I think, superstitious beliefs and religion can be both side, which they can affect the development of a country and they also can be an advantage to develop the country itself. It is because if we believe something blindly and do not think of its consequences it will affect of the development of the country. For example, the villagers killed the twins but they did not know perhaps in future, the killed baby will give an advantage to their village. So, we must avoid in taking someone live. Besides, if we believe in something in appropriate ways, for sure we will find the truth and it also can guide us to produce a bright future. It is stated that every religion has the goodness and we must follow it. 

If a person do good things based on his religion, for sure he will be a good person. It is because, from our religion, we are forbidden to begin an unhealthy environment. We have to live in harmony and peace. So, if a person totally learns in depth about his religion and applies it in real life, there will no any disputes and any people who love to begin a conflict. Thus, religion plays an important role in shaping a good human capital.