Things Fall Apart 10 Favorite Quotes

Quote/Passage from the book

Thank you. He who brings kola brings life. But I think you ought to break it, replies Okoye, passing back the disk. (Things Fall Apart Page 6) ..Our elders say that the sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them, I shall pay my big debts first. (Things Fall Apart Page 7-8) He died of the swelling which was an abomination to the earth goddess. When a man was afflicted with swelling in the stomach and the limbs he was not allowed to die in the house. He was carried to the Evil Forest and left there to die. (Things Fall Apart Page 18) Okonkwo was especially fond of Ezinma. She looked very much like her mother, who was once the village beauty. But his fondness only showed on very rare occasions. (Things Fall Apart Page 44) Okonkwo called his three wives and told them to get things together for a great feast. I must thank my mothers kinsmen before I go, he said. (Things Fall Apart Page 163) Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper (Things Fall Apart Page 13) I will not have a son who cannot hold up his head in the gathering of the clan. I would sooner strangle him with my own hands. (Things Fall Apart Page 33) The law of Umuofia is that if a woman runs away from her husband her bride-price is returned. (Things Fall Apart Page 92) He had a slight stammer and whenever he was angry and could not get his words out quickly enough, he would use his fists. (Things Fall Apart Page 4) The Earth cannot punish me for obeying her messenger, Okonkwo said. A childs fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which its mother puts into its palm. (Things Fall Apart Page 67)

Delaney Patterson 7/29/11 English 1 Reactions/Reflections to the quote/passage

This has to be my favorite quote out of this whole book. I like how they believe that the Kola nut brings life to the person that breaks it. That is probably the reason I like this quote because it shocks me how people think some object on earth can bring you life. By this I think it means those who wait and dont ask to be paid will get paid back first and the ones who ask will get paid back last. This to me is kind of like a life lesson. I really like this quote because its a good life quote. This is so sad; they take people into the forest and leave them there to die. I couldnt be a part in all this it would make me feel so bad and guilty. So while reading this I just wanted to smack these people for just taken people to the forest to die.

It kind of made me happy that he at least hade some compassion but even though he dont show it. I wish he was able to show his emotion more often than he does. But I like how he talks about Ezinma and how he likes her more than anybody else. While reading this to me it sounds like he just thinks of his wives as slaves or servants. I think he should love his family more than he does. This also shows how much he doesnt want to so weakness. I finally realized what kind of person Okonkwo really was after I read this. He is not very nice and hates to show affection. This to me is sad that he cant be at least a little nice to his family. Okonkwo would rather kill his son than have him weak. Pretty much Okonkwo is thinking of his own reputation as a man, which he doesnt want messed up by a soft son. This makes me so mad, I dont think a parent should act like this. When I read this it made me kind of made because they treat women like pieces of property. If someone set me at a price then sold me from person to person I would be mad. So I feel really sorry for these women. I know a couple of people like this when that dont know what to say or cant get it out quick enough they use their fists. To me these people should get help. But I would not want to be around when this happens to Okonkwo. I read this right after reading the part of him and some other clans members killing of Ikemefuna and it made me mad that he thinks he cant be punished after such a crime. If I had killed someone I would defiantly not be saying this. Even though Okonkwo feels guilty about killing him he still shouldnt have said something like this, I think he should have been punished.