TFA WEEK 2

1. How are the women treated in the novel? Do all members in the community agree with the status quo? Why?

The women in Igbo community have been treated unfairly in this story. The women in this community have no authority to speak their mind and do things they like. For example, one day, when Okonkwo’ youngest wife was not home in time to cook for him lunch, he beat her severely when she reached home. He didn’t listen to his wife explanation before he beat her since she has no right to talk back to her husband. Moreover, Okonkwo once thought about Ezinma, his daughter that, “She should have been a boy.” Okonkwo thought made me realized that the women’s ability in Igbo community has been underestimated. The women only do things if their men allowed them to. As example, Ezinma can only be married when they reached Okonkwo’s motherland since her father said so. Not all of the members of the community seem to be fine with this status quo since they did advised Okonkwo to stop when he beat his wife. It shows that they concern on the status quo but they literally could do nothing to change it because it was one of their cultures.

2. What contributions are made by the Igbo women to the survival of their culture?

The Igbo women contribution for the survival was big even though they had been considered as the weak and low-class. The Igbo women cook for their family, take care of them, tell stories to their children, serve their husband, and do the housework. Each of the elements stated portrayed in Okonkwo’s wives. For example, Okonkwo wives would cook for him and their children each meal. Besides that, Nwoye’s mother told him a story which has moral values and so did Ekwefi to Ezinma.  

3. What are the changes in women’s roles in this present world?

Nowadays women are different from the Igbo’s women. Not totally different but there are some parts that change. It is because nowadays women are no longer considered as weak and low-class. Nowadays, women have their own job for themselves. Moreover, they can speak out their opinions and ideas and they can do things that they want without being restricted unlike the Igbo’s women. Aside from that, nowadays women can choose their own future. They can future their studies and have career. Since I mentioned that nowadays and before women are not totally different, it is because nowadays women do take care of their family and cook for them. Even though they have career, they do things that requires them to like do the housework and else. It just that they have more freedom than the women before. 

By: SITI AMIRA SALLEHUDIN