Are the "Seven Days Group" moral?

In mid-twentieth century America, tensions regarding race were as high as ever. The nascent civil rights movement is beginning to be met with backlash by whites as blacks seek equality in America. Despite being set in Ohio and not the South, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison is chock-full of racial and socioeconomic divide. Nothing is more indicative of the racial problems that plague America than the formation of the "Seven Days Group" in this small midwestern town. This group of black men aims to attain revenge on their white counterparts by killing white people after black people have been killed. Guitar joins this group in order to feel as if he is helping to make progress in the battle for equal rights in America. The morality of the group is extremely debatable given the racial tensions in America at this time. On one hand, this group of black men is killing innocent white people, making the entire race look bad and completely epitomizing the "eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" adage. On the other hand, the group is seeking retribution to avenge the deaths of blacks across the country whose murderers are never as much as questioned for their crimes. From someone like Guitar's perspective, I can see how one would find this group to be a noble cause in the struggle for equality as Guitar has struggled with race problems throughout his life. From someone like Milkman's perspective however, I can see how this group would look like a group of crazed murderers as Milkman has not experienced the same kind of struggles as Guitar has. Personally, I don't believe that the "Seven Days Group" is moral as any kind of violence only further exacerbates the race problem in America. As seen in the work of MLK Jr., the best way to achieve equality is through peaceful protests as the public then perceives you as a cause worthy of its respect. In the words of MLK, "Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace."

Vladimir Nabokov

Vladimir Nabokov's comments on the merit of truth in his speech reminded me of Tim O'Brien's comments in The Things They Carried. Both Nabokov and O'Brien believe that truth isn't necessary to a story and it isn't expected to be. However, Nabokov argues that literature is deceptive as a result of its mirroring of nature. He argues that literature is inherently deceptive and literature has simply adopted its misleading condition. O'Brien, on the other hand, argues that truth is subjective in storytelling and relies on the perspective of the speaker to discern what truly happened and what didn't.

I find the notion that truth doesn't exist in storytelling to be "true" for the most part. It is impossible for any person, regardless of their perspective, to obtain complete knowledge of the situation. It is impossible for a person to relay the completely accurate information of an event without some type of bias or inaccuracy, caused by lack of omniscience. The fact that every story that I have ever heard is not completely true is somewhat disturbing, but not the least bit surprising.

W.E.B. Dubois Letter

Dubois' letter and advice to his daughter in England immediately reminded me of something Okwonko would say to one of his kids in "Things Fall Apart". I can imagine Okwonko seeing the white colonialists enforcing their rule on Umuofia and him reminding his kids that black skin is just as pretty as white skin and that they are just as valuable, if not more, than their white counterparts. Okwonko would remind his kids that this land has belonged to them for centuries and that they should fight for it with all their heart.

Despite this letter being written in the early 20th century, it's message still holds true today. This summer, myself and thousands of other American kids will go to college and experience new people and new places. On the drive to school, I am sure nearly every parent will remind their kids how lucky they are to have this opportunity and how they should take full advantage of it, similar to W.E.B. Dubois' letter. Every parent wishes to see their kid thrive in a new school and overcome the peculiarity of college. Although most kids are not in as quite as foreign of a place as Dubois' daughter, a parent's counsel will always be comforting to kids in a new environment.

Kambili's Awkwardness in Purple Hibiscus

Purple Hibiscus is written from a first-person perspective with Kambili, a Nigerian teenage girl, as the narrator. One of Kambili's most defining traits is her awkwardness and general discomfort in articulating her words. Although the source of this trait is unclear, I would surmise that it is a result of her father's abuse and strict intervention in her childhood. Take, for example, the fact that Kambili must always run straight out to her car after school or risk being beaten by her father. I would assume this has been happening since she was young, thus leading me to believe that she has never had time to socialize at school. Her father's strict schedule for her probably also prevents her from being social, as she is probably forbidden from doing anything besides studying on the weekend. 

Her inability to socialize with others has had a noticeable impact on her social skills. This impact is highlighted when she visits her aunt's house and is in constant contact with her outspoken cousin, Amaka. This juxtaposition is highly noticeable throughout her time at her aunt's house, as she struggles to make conversation and express herself to anyone there. The only one who is able to break Kambili out of her shell is the local priest, Father Amadi. He takes Kambili to play soccer one day and it is evident that they have some sort of chemistry. Although it seems like innocent banter at first, Kambili develops a crush on the priest. While watching him play soccer, she comments, "I did not look down at his tank top on my lap as I inched my hand ever so slowly toward it. My eyes were on the football field, on Father Amadi's running legs..." (305). It is clear that Father Amadi is the only character, perhaps besides Jaja, who Kambili feels she can express herself to in Purple Hibiscus. I am anxious to see if some sort of "forbidden love" develops between the two as the novel progresses. 

Religion in "Purple Hibiscus" vs. "Things Fall Apart"

One of the most notables themes in Purple Hibiscus is Eugene's strong belief in Christianity and hatred for the pagan traditional Ibo religion. This is in stark contrast to the views of Okwonko in Things Fall Apart, who is a strong believer in tradition and is a firm believer in the Ibo religion. This juxtaposition between two fairly similar Nigerian men shows just how far-reaching and popular Christianity has become in Nigeria since the missionaries arrived in the 19th century. Although we see its popularity begin to increase within Umuofia in Things Fall Apart, I don't think that even in Okwonko's wildest nightmares would a sane Nigerian man hate the Ibo religion as vehemently as Eugene does in Purple Hibiscus. Eugene hates the Ibo religion so much that he won't let his kids see their grandfather for more than 15 minutes on Christmas because he "honors his ancestors before eating". Eugene is sure to remind Kamibli and Jaja not to eat any of the food at their grandpa's house as that would be embracing the "pagan customs". From a reader's standpoint, it is evident that a majority of the younger generation in Nigeria have fully embraced Christianity, while those who follow the Ibo religion are slowly beginning to die out. The difference in religion between Things Fall Apart and Purple Hibiscus truly highlights the changes in tradition that have taken place in Nigeria as a result of colonialism.

The White Man in "Things Fall Apart"

In Achebe's Things Fall Apart, the white man is represented by British missionaries who attempt to convert the Nigerian tribes to Christianity and also alter their culture. Although many tribesmen, such as Okwonko's own son, see them as benevolent men who wish to ensure that they reach heaven, there is also a faction of people who think like Okwonko, in that the missionaries are going to cause the downfall of their tribe. When Okwonko returns Umuofia from exile, he is appalled at the state of his former tribe. Many Umuofia villagers have converted to Christianity and the missionaries have subjected the villagers to the laws of their government. The white man's effect on the Umuofia tribe wasn't entirely negative however. The missionaries have established trading posts and have gotten money to flow in and out of the village. Fed up with the situation, the "egwugwu" of Umuofia decide to burn the missionaries' church. Okwonko and the other leaders of Umuofia are handcuffed and imprisoned for their actions against the white man. When a messenger confronts a meeting among the Umuofia tribe, Okwonko kills him with a machete. Ashamed of his actions and fearing the future of the clan, Okwonko commits suicide.

The white men in Things Fall Apart represent the colonialist ideas and oppressive practices that many British missionaries embodied during this time period. Their attempts to convert the tribesmen to Christianity and enforce their own laws were a result of the "white man's burden" felt by many missionaries at this time period. The missionaries felt it was their duty as members of the white race to save the tribesmen from their "savage" ways and culture. Perhaps what the white men really discovered in Umuofia was Okwonko's unwillingness to change. Whether the missionaries were justified in their actions is up to debate, but what is clear is the fact that Okwonko could never change his ways, even if the majority of his tribe had. This is evident from the crowd's response to his killing of the messenger; the rest of his tribe did not kill the other messengers, but simply allowed them to go. This was indicative of the fact that they had to come to terms with the white man's presence, but Okwonko had not. I believe it was his inability to adapt that ultimately made Okwonko take his life.

An Analysis of Okonkwo in Part One of "Things Fall Apart"

Okonkwo, the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, is a highly respected man in the Umuofia tribe in Nigeria. He has earned his respect through his strength and valor, displaying both these values at all times. Okonkwo represents success and power in his tribe, as he is a famed wrestler and also a successful farmer. The first chapter tells the reader about Okwonko's dad, Unoka, who liked music, was not successful in life, and is seen as weak and soft by Okwonko. Okwonko strives to be the polar opposite of his dad in life and it is because of this that he is successful, aggressive, and emotionally detached. Okwonko firmly believes that his father was a failure in life and is subsequently the complete opposite of him. Throughout part one we get a glimpse into Okwonko's life; he believes in ideals such as violence and masculinity. This is evident from his constant beatings of his wife and children and also from his view of many other men as effeminate. In perhaps one of his most violent moments, Okwonko assists in the murder of his own foster son, Ikemefuna, who he really loved. Throughout part one of Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe portrays Okonkwo as a respected man, but also very violent and emotionally detached. At the end of part one, Okonkwo is exiled from the Umuofia tribe; I wonder if he will maintain his violent qualities or if his lack of respect from the tribe will cause him to become like his father.

Women in "Things Fall Apart"

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe portrays women in a very different light when compared to what most Americans are used to. In America, we constantly hear about gender inequality, but any of our issues pale in comparison to the treatment of women in Nigeria in Things Fall Apart. The tribe in which Okonkwo lives is a polygamous society in which men typically have multiple wives. Throughout part one, Okonkwo beats his wives multiple times, often for stuff as simple as his wife forgetting to come home to cook his meal. At one point Okwonko even almost shoots his wife without a second thought. In general, Okwonko views women in a very negative light. When he is upset after killing Ikemefuna, he asks himself, "When did you become a shivering old woman?". When discussing why he disliked his father, Okwonko typically described him as weak-willed and effeminate, and it is because of this that he strives to be as masculine and powerful as possible. It is evident from his comments on women that Okwonko views them as fragile, second-class citizens whose main role is to cook for the family. Although this thinking is probably prevalent among his entire tribe, this line of thinking is very difficult to get used to as an American like myself who is used to seeing men and women share the same roles and get the same respect.