TFA: Chapter 16

In chapter sixteen, Nwoye leaves Okonwo's household and joins the Christians. When asked by Okonwo's friend Obierika, "How is your father?" Nwoye answers, "I don't know. He is not my father." The book mentions that Nwoye answers this question unhappily. Why do you suppose Nwoye is not proud of breaking his tie with his father? After years and years of living together, Okonwo and Nwoye have grown further and further apart. What is it do you think that Nwoye wants from his father? Affection? Acceptance? Okonwo gives everything Nwoye needs-food, shelter, work-and plans to give all his wealth to him when he dies. Why is it that Nwoye is dissatisfied with his father enough to disassociate completely with him?

One Day in the Life

One Day My Life

My name is Ella, but that doesn't really matter.

I wake up in the morning.

I shower.

I brush my teeth. No more toothpaste…
I comb my hair.

I cook and eat oatmeal. It’s warm.

I drive to work.

This is my morning routine.

I arrive at the store.

I put on my work shirt.

I sell products to customers.

My boss mentions sports.

Lunch.

I sell product.

I sell product.

I sell product.

Break.

Customer flow slows. It’s afternoon, not many come around this time of day.

I look around the nearly vacant store.

I am here alone. Just me and the boss. The boss is watching. I must not look restless.

Work is almost over.

Boss asks me to stay to help take inventory.

I can’t say no.

We count.
I count.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

This is my workday.

I drive home.

There is traffic.

I listen to the radio.

This song was just playing.

I think about my sister.

She is in college.

I talked to her last week.

She seemed happy.

I feel old.

She is young.

I am trapped.

I am trapped in this car.

I am trapped in my life.

This is my drive home.

I am home.

I do laundry.

I watch the clothes spin.

I watch the news.

The government is trying to pass a bill.

Someone died.

Amber alert.

A foreign nation in trouble.

Nothing new.

I watch a sitcom.

Everyone laughs.

Even me.

I make dinner.

It’s the same every night.

Chicken, rice, and salad.

This is my evening.

I get into bed.
I watch the flickering television.

I have no dream.

This is my day.

Things Fall Apart: Chapter 1

Albert Chinualumogu Achebe's Things Fall Apart opens with an immediate contrast between father and son-one of their differences related to finance. The son, Owankwo, appears well off and "successful" while the "grown up," Unoka, is "a failure." Owankwo seems resentful that his father didn't leave him a barn or other wealth, but instead left the world with just as many chalk marks on the wall as when he was living. To Owankwo, wealth seems to be a critical measure of success, while the father seems to get his joy out of interacting with others and playing his music. Which is more valuable? Is being rich and "successful" synonymous with being well respected? Unoka, although looked down upon for being a debtor, is treasured even by other villages for his musical talent. Does this society seem to treasure music and art, or only war? Is the son's definition of "success" correct?