English Lan & Lit

Why would Achebe, taking into account the cultural context, choose to characterize Okonkwo using a tragic hero archetype? Okonkwo is considered a tragic hero because he is successful, a man with a high status and highly respected in the village of Umuofia, with the fear of weakness (hamartia & peripeteia). In this cultural context, a hero is the one who is brave, bold against anything that is stopping him/her from achieving the best that they can (by weak forces) in the community. One who is persist and influences others around him. Achebe used the tragic archetype to show the central themes of the novel which establishes the connection between the rise and fall of the Igbo culture as well as Okonkwo. In the novel, Okonkwo does not wish to be like his father, he disagrees with that attitude in life, therefore, he aims to be hardworking and encourage or more like force others (especially males) to be more determined and not lazy (or being feminine). His 'tragic hero' ...

On behalf of the Igbo community, and studying their culture for seven years, there is something about this culture that astonished me. Through individual's work ethic, society customs, marriage customs, establishment of rankings or titles, beliefs and proverbs, they surely aim to bring the best outcome they can achieve in different aspects of life. Their ways of thinking made me realize how most societies or cultures often has the tendency of deciding how to do things, which reflects their values and motifs in life, however the Igbo believe that there is no one way of doing things. that there is always another way. This justifies how they are open to other perspectives and ways of life. How do we know that by changing their traditions and customs (their culture) would take away something special from the world. Igbo, like many other culture believe in the spiritual world as they are strong factors that drive their lives. They believe in both a personal and supreme God called the...

What was the most meaningful takeaway from the lesson relating to the cultural or literary context of Achebe's work? The most meaningful aspect of today's lesson was the intentions about why Achebe wrote the book. Not just to show how the British colonized the country but show the story of how the Ibo people preserved through all bad intentions and circumstances. Achebe was able to explain what happens in the Ibo cultural context using different kinds of situations that are crossed within this particular culture, from ranking to murdering. He presented a culture that had pride, respect and dignity towards their rituals, traditions and customs. Although, there were a few individuals who did not follow the ideology of the culture's traditions.  Once describing the the conflicts the community had, he then further justifies how the British changed their community by force. Yet using them as a tool for resources. Select a specific quote from the interview or the general ...

Speech by Malcolm X "The ballot or the bullet" A political speech extracted from the Ballot of The bullet by Malcolm X uses a variety of literary devices in order to attract and appeal to his  audience. His audience is clearly is identified throughout the speech with are African-Americans who are not able to see how they are being deceived by the common white Americans. Malcolm aims to bring knowledge about the powers that devours the nation and  how white Americans are using this power to belittle and make African Americans seem worthless and insignificant.  The text is trying to persuade and encourage black Americans to stand up for their freedom and not to allow any white man to bring them down. Malcolm X uses aggressive and harsh terms to define a white man, and to ensure that black  Americans understand where they  are  placed  in society, from class to occupation. The text  makes the audience feel empowered yet making them realize that t...

IOC Act 3, scene 1 Annotated Passage Add caption

'Power' is considered the most dominant theme throughout the play of Coriolanus, Each character within the play holds a great sense of power which is reflected by their actions and perceptions. Coriolanus, who is the protagonist, holds great power throughout the play whereby constantly comparing himself to a dragon and also having a 'GOD - LIKE' stature towards other individuals. a dragon can refer to powerful, mythical, unique and fearless. In this case, that is how he is seen as. However, he has one weakness which is Volumnia's love for him. This further evokes the sense that he is often faced between love and battle, whereby he was determined to attack Rome, however, the only person who could stop him from doing so was his mother.  This is where Volumnia's power comes in. Her mother - like figure influences Coriolanus not to attack Rome. However, doing so will put his life in danger. Thus evokes the sense that she is willing to sacrifice her son for the safe...

What is Shakespeare's larger purpose in his characterization of Coriolanus in Act 1? Coriolanus, a brave, strong and noble hero in the play. Shakespeare establishes his character in a Roman era with countless conflicts in battlefield and in the capitol. Shakespeare used political views and perspectives to initiate the characterization of Coriolanus. He used this because he wanted to reveal the countless conflicts Roman people had. Firstly during this era, plebeians and patricians had a great divide between social status and wealth. However, Shakespeare depicts Caius Martius as being envied by patricians and most plebeians admire his bravery and hard work in the war. Since he is illustrated to be in the lower - class, he still thinks plebeians do not deserve to have any power or wealth, therefore, he is depicted to be an arrogant man who has no emotion and awareness of other people's feelings. In ancient Rome, heroes would go out of their way to be seen by others, in other w...