TATDOAPTI 2

After finishing The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, I still don't think that the book is "of comparable literary merit" to the other books we've read this year. At the same time, I had fun reading it, understood the whole thing, and was emotionally invested in the characters. It was a good reminder that a good story is always fun to read. 

There were some parts about the book that I didn't like. The lack of intricacy that is in other books we've read was noticeable at different points, and the message seemed kind of inconsistent. If he was supposed to leave and follow his dreams, like Rowdy says in the end, why did his sister die from doing this exact thing. For all the other deaths the argument could be made that the reservation killed them, driving him away, but the sister's death didn't seem to fall in line with the message of the book. I guess that Alexie could be simply trying to show the effect reservation life has on Indians; like The Bluest Eye but a bit of a happier ending (not a hard thing to do), but it doesn't feel like that was his goal.

TATDOAPTI

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is an interesting, pretty easy read. It seemed almost too easy, but at the same time it's enjoyable to take a break from the higher reading level. The more basic structure, so long as it's well written provides interesting insight. It's easier to see why Sherman Alexie is writing parts in the book in comparison to Toni Morrison. For example it's easier to see the significance of the geometry book than it is to make the connection between Soaphead Church and Cholly in The Bluest Eye. It's also easier to follow the way Sherman sets up the setting, establishes conflict, then starts building on this conflict. I guess my point is that while it's an easier book to read, I don't feel like I'm learning any less about literature. It's like instead of muscles and organs, we're looking at a model of a skeleton for books.

Bluest Eye Ending

I think the most interesting aspect of Toni Morrison's book The Bluest Eye is the subtle way it delivers its message about racism. Direct interaction between racist whites and black characters is uncommon in the book. Instead the characters feel and react to societal discrimination and the long lasting effects this discrimination has had on their own families. The main result of this discrimination is a self hatred for their race, which they take out on those they have power over, be it wives, husbands, children, or peers. I think the most effective way Morrison demonstrated the tragic, cyclical nature of this hatred is by delving into the past of Pecola's parents. The way they both acquired this hatred, then reluctantly and helplessly passed it onto their children makes the story personal, and thus more effective in conveying it's depressing message. 

The Beauty Myth

Reading The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf, I felt that good points were being made, but that it was difficult to continue reading to the end. Often while reading, I felt like instead of trying to convince me, she was accusing me. In order to feel sympathetic to her cause, I needed a way to relate to what she was saying, but I consistently felt pushed away. This lead me to think that it was written not to make an argument but to generate fervor and excitement within a confined movement. I understand that this was likely not Wolf's intention, but, for me, it is what it seems like it would achieve. Instead of attacking every man who reads her writing, I think Wolf would be much more successful by acknowledging counterpoints to her argument and offering solutions to the problem of "The Beauty Myth." She establishes that there is a problem, but she also alienates male readers without offering a solution.

Okonkwo and Eugene Part II

After reading further into the book, it seems like Eugene is trying to prove me wrong about him being the same as Okonkwo. Sure, both are still important leaders in a very religious community. And both are still violent towards their family and care more about their public image than personal relationships. The major difference was that Okonkwo was likable despite his flaws. He had a few redeeming qualities that allowed the reader to think "that was bad but I understand where he's coming from." With Eugene there seems to be no redeeming quality. He runs his family like a dictator then criticizes the government. He is a devout Christian but he still beats his children. In summary, he is a hypocrit who is impossible to feel any forgiveness or sympathy for.

Okonkwo and Eugene

Based on the opening sentence of Purple Hibiscus and the fact that a lot of people have read Things Fall Apart, I'm going to assume that Adichie has read Things Fall Apart. She was likely very conscious of the book as she was writing Purple Hibiscus because it is a very famous work of Nigerian literature. Therefore, I can conclude that the similarities between Okonkwo and Eugene (aka Papa) are not simply coincidental.

Both Eugene and Okonkwo are powerful men in their respective societies, both are very controlling of their family, both are violent towards their wives, both despise their fathers, and both are threatened by a group changing their way of life. Perhaps Adichie is creating a character similar to Okwonko to deliver a similar message about valuing people over your image. I wouldn't be surprised to see Eugene meet as tragic an end as Okonkwo.

Purple Hibiscus

So far, Purple Hibiscus has been interesting in that it is the third book with a Nigerian protagonist I have read in a row. Each one has been from a Nigerian in a different position. First an immigrant in New York City, next a powerful leader in a traditional tribe, and now the daughter of a wealthy christian in postcolonial Nigeria. There are similarities and references to the same things in all three books, but there are also many differences. Between Cole's Open City, Achebe's Things Fall Apart, and Adichie's Purple Hibiscus I have learned a great deal about the country across different points of its history and from different points of view. In addition to offering me insight into Nigeria's history, these books have taught me a lot about the people and culture as well.

Things Fall Apart Part III

I've been waiting this whole book, anticipating the point when Things Fall Apart. I though that maybe it was when Okonkwo killed a man and was banished from his homeland, but no, things fell much much further apart. Okonkwo killed another guy (this time on purpose), realized that he has essentially doomed his village to the wrath of the white colonists, then kills himself out of shame. Damn. Achebe definitely wasn't subtle in his criticism of the colonization of Africa. I would go beyond calling it a criticism and just say it was a downright attack on both the act of colonization as well as the ideas that fueled it. Many of these colonists saw themselves as explorers going off into an uncivilized continent to bless the land with the gift of civilization. Achebe offers the under-represented point of view of the Africans who are having their land taken. In this light, the Europeans are not heroes, but instead n invasive species to be afraid of. Achebe definitely shows the worst side of colonization, but, objectively, there isn't a very positive side, and perhaps Achebe needed to be aggressive to get his point across.

Things Fall Apart Part II

As I am reading Things Fall Apart I continue to be interested by the differences in the Ibo culture and my own, as well as the way Achebe chooses to portray the difference. As far as I knew, everything Achebe writes could be entirely made up, but the way he includes an in depth spectrum of positive and negative cultural details makes me feel that the Ibo people are very real. Also, it never feels like I am being told about them, but instead that I am observing and learning. For example, there is never a direct explanation behind certain traditions, just the context it occurs in. Achebe also never draws parallels to western culture, everything is framed from the point of view of the Ibo people. It is left to the reader to draw connections between the two cultures, and I believe that this helps the reader understand the new culture even more fully.

An Image of Africa

The essay "An Image of Africa" gave me both a new perspective on the book Heart of Darkness as well as Thongs Fall Apart. At first, Achebe's writing gave me insight into Conrad's writing. I realized that there is inherent racism in the book because it uses a representation of the entirety of Africa as an untamable wilderness where "normal" (white) men go to lose their minds. There is also more direct racism in the description of the African people as being like dogs and implications that they do not have individual consciousnesses. The essay, however, was not simply an exploration of Conrad's work, it also exposed motives behind Achebe's writing. Based on his tone and the fact that he wrote "An Image of Africa" it is rather obvious that he is upset by the disregard Europeans felt, and perhaps still feel, towards Africa during the time of colonization. 

Things Fall Apart

My first impression of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe was one of interest. I was interested because it exposed me to a world I know almost nothing about. Where I come from, a man gains little respect for his ability to wrestle other villagers, and how many yams he posesses will not influence his place in society. I am not a coward for being not wanting to go to war and I would be repulsed by someone drinking from a human head. The most interesting difference in our cultures is the way we speak. Okonkwo and the people in his tribe use metaphors and idiomatic language that is indicative of the world that they live in. They thank the gods, not just God, they hope for rain and compare things to animals that seem exotic to me. Chinua Achebe's writing exposes me to a real culture that I could never have imagined without him.