Question

Q3. “Literature is a Mirror of Society”. Justify the statement in the light of the excerpt given. What is your impression about African society in terms of leadership, Village life, Work and Relationships?
(10 marks) 500 words
Things Fall Apart
by Chinua Achebe
At just eighteen, Okonkwo wins fame as the strongest wrestler in nine villages and beyond, throwing Amalinze the Cat, who for seven years had been unbeaten. Okonkwo's fame continues to grow over the next decades as he takes several wives and has children, but he lacks patience and is easily provoked into aggression, using his fists when he can't get his words out quickly enough. He also quickly grows impatient with unsuccessful men like his father.
Okonkwo's father, Unoka, died ten years earlier. He was known for being lazy and irresponsible, owing all his neighbors money. Unoka loved music, playing the flute with the village musicians after harvest. He lived a carefree life as a young man, visiting different markets to play music and feast. However, as a grown man, Unoka was considered a failure, and his wife and children had barely enough to eat. Even though people laughed at him and swore never to lend him more money, Unoka always succeeded in borrowing more and piling up his debts.
The narrator tells us of a day when Unoka's neighbor Okoye comes to visit, bringing his goatskin to sit on, and Unoka takes out a kola nut for his guest. Unoka and Okoye argue about who should break the kola nut, and then speak for some time about health, harvest, and war. The last subject makes Unoka uncomfortable because he dislikes war, and so he changes the subject to music. Finally, Okoye comes to the point of his visit—he wants to collect Unoka's debt of 200 cowries. Okoye approaches the subject in lengthy proverbs, which the narrator describes as “the palm-oil with which words are eaten,” and when Unoka finally understands what Okoye wants, he bursts out laughing. Unoka points to chalk lines on his wall that represent his debts and settles the matter by saying that he will pay his big debts first. Okoye rolls up his goatskin and leaves.
When Unoka died, he had no titles and was still heavily in debt. Okonkwo is very ashamed of his father, but wins fame for himself as the greatest wrestler in nine villages and as a wealthy farmer with three wives, two barns full of yams, and two titles. Although still young, Okonkwo is already one of the greatest men of his time. As a result, he comes to look after Ikemefuna, the doomed boy who is later sacrificed to the village of Umuofia by their neighbors in order to avoid war.

Marks distribution is as follows:
Originality of thought: 3
Critical commentary on literary period: 3
Coherence: 1
Language use: 2
References:1

Answer 1

Answer:  Okonkwo is a self-made, well-respected member of the Umuofia clan. Though outwardly stern and powerful, much of his life is dictated by internal fear. His greatest, overwhelming worry is that he will become like his father – lazy, unable to support his family, and cowardly.

Explanation: MAKE BRAINLIEST

Answer 2

The idea that literature represents culture is an idea commonly known. Indeed, literature represents culture, positive qualities and ills. Literature in its corrective purpose represents the ills of society in order to make it understand and reform its mistakes. It also projects the ideals and principles that people should emulate in society. Literature also provides an image of what people say, tell and do in culture as imitations of human behavior. In the literature we will find stories intended to represent human experience and behavior by those individuals who relay those messages for the purpose of education, knowledge by their words, acts and reactions

Explanation:

• In this excerpt we get an idea of the African tribe culture and the complexity and sophistication of the African society. For instance "Legends & traditions (the fight with a spirit of the wild by the founder of their village), Symbols of honour (titles), Indicators of richness & wealth (cowries, yams), Indicators of wealth (yams, cowries, goat skin), marriage customs (more than one wife), the "reckoning of time" (markets, a week of 4 days), social rituals (  kola nuts, small talk, chalk lines, & proverbs), & Music, food, entertainment, & drink
• This excerpt depicts details about life in an African culture much different from Western culture. Okonkwo's major accomplishments in tribe culture, is what formed his "key position". Such descriptions give insights into the character and inspiration of Okonkwo alone. He is seeking to hide the eternal guilt he feels for the mistakes and shortcomings of his late father, Unoka, by driving himself towards tribal prosperity &; recognition. Okonkwo primarily displays masculinity qualities in African tribe society.
• Oknonkwo is now a prosperous farmer of Yams – a sacred crop – that supports 3 wives, a significant indicator of wealth &"manliness," and is known for his unbelievable abilities in two inter-tribal wars.Okonkwo is a man well regarded for his great achievements and noble virtues — a tragic hero 's key attributes. A  hero who is good and honorable, who displays immense bravery and perseverance, but who is withdrawn due to a tragic personal flaw.
• Okonkwo 's tragic weakness is his fascination with manliness; his concern that like his father he may appear vulnerable is driving him to commit excessive aggression that threatens his dignity. The actions & qualities which start to show the tragic flaw in the otherwise admirable actions , thoughts, concepts, and relationships of Okonkwo.
• This excerpt introduces one of the most significant social symbols in African tribe society, the unique honorary titles system. Titles are reference points throughout the book, by which African tribe society's members often compare each other (especially Okonkwo). Such titles are not granted by higher authority. When a person gains wealth, he can acquire additional prestige & recognition and prestige through 'taking a title.' He can also buy titles for men of his family . When he receives a title, the person pays the men who already hold the title important initiation fees.rity, but are purchased by the person who can afford to pay for them
• A Umuofian can hold up to four titles, each seemingly more costly than his predecessor. The first stage, the most common title, begins with a man who is money enough to pay the fee, but many men are unable to move beyond the first title. The physical representations of a title that display, for example, an anklet or marking on the foot or on the face such that people that decide who is eligible for such titles.