Lang and Lit Rainier Fourie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB-p54m5u5o

David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech, “This is Water” relates to the novel “Their eyes were watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston because of the elements of being emotionally intelligent about oneself and other around you. The main thesis of being self-aware, having a choice, real freedom, and being independent are major elements of in both pieces of work. Both pieces of work, demonstrate and showcase the social construct of the world we live and make us question deeper questions of the mind and soul. Zora Neale Hurston’s feministic self-discovery novel, “Their eyes were watching God” is about Janie Crawford and her journey for true love, true freedom, and true independence. Throughout each of her 3 marriages, to Logan Killicks, then her 20 year marriage to Jody Starks that ended in his death due to kidney problems, and finally to the man that gave her true love, Tea Cake. Janie’s journey for true love makes her more independent and self-aware of her self and what loves means...

Introduction TFA Things Fall Apart , by Chinua Achebe is the story of Okonkwo, a proud Igbo man which represents the history of Achebe and his culture. Okonkwo represents the very extreme of values of the Igbo culture. Okonkwo’s struggle, both within his community, and with the colonial missionaries who arrive to “civilize” the people of Africa represents Achebe’s own struggle and desire to highlight and celebrate the complexities of Igbo culture but refrain readers from having a romantic nostalgia of life before colonization.   The personal history of an author has significant influence on the way meaning in constructed in his/her writing as seen by Achebe. Achebe being both a devoted Christian and an Igbo. This has created internal conflict in Achebe as this is shown through his secondary characters such as Mr. Brown, Mr. Smith, Obierika, and Nwoye. Religion in the book, Things fall apart, is an important aspect as it is the cause of all the conflicts in the book....

Blog Post – Okonkwo Characterization Okonkwo is the protagonist in the novel, Things Fall Apart , by Chinua Achebe and is the main character that drives the plot forward. Okonkwo is very significant in the novel, Things Fall Apart, not just because he is the main protagonist but also he is very important in the Umuofia the tribe the lives in. He is one of the leaders in Umuofia, and is a renowned wrestler, fierce warrior, and a successful farmer of yams. Okonkwo is very traditional and very cultural, almost to a fault. Ibo culture is all about balance in everyday life, however Okonkwo is too traditional and exudes hyper-masculinity in everything he does. Okonkwo is also very impulsive. Consequently, Okonkwo on accident offends the Ibo people and their traditions as well as the gods of his clan (ie. Beating his wife during the peace weak). Okonkwo is advised not to participate in the sacrifice of Ikefemuna, but he actually kills Ikefemuna because he is “Afraid of ...