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.