Tuesday, 12 June 2001: Things Fall Apart (through p. 209; complete); Kirsten Holst Petersen, "Problems of a Feminist Approach to African Literature" (PCSR 249-254); S. I. A. Kotel, "The Book Today in Africa" (PCSR 480-484); Walt Whitman, "Passage to India" (handout)

• Presentation relating PCSR (or other critical readings) with primary text:

reader: Carolyn Richard
respondent: Sawsan Sanjak
recorder: Dale Marie Taylor

Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Petersen, "A Feminist Approach to African Literature," and Kotie, "The Book Today in Africa"

with Schlain, The Alphabet Versus the Goddess.

The introduction to the section on feminism and post-colonialism in PCSR points out that the women in previously colonized areas were colonized both by patriarchal and by imperial ideologies. In her essay entitled "A Feminist Approach to African Literature," Petersen shows how Achebe, although true to the Ibo culture, showed African women in a less than positive light. The fact that the Ibo are an oral culture may contribute to how Achebe portrays the gender roles in his novel. In The Alphabet Versus the Goddess, Leonard Shlain notes that right brain orientation drives writing and linear constructions. Left brain orientation drives oral culture. The Ibo tribe is an oral culture.

Women are a major part of the spiritual life of the Ibo. The word for woman, agbala, is also used for a man with no title; these men are scorned. When you capitalize this word, it means priestess in charge of the Oracle of the Hills and Caves. The Ibo culture departs from Shlain’s theories in one important aspect. Women are not the heads of their families and may not take part in the local government system. The roles played by each gender are clearly demarcated in childhood. Fathers spend time with their sons, preparing them for adult life, and the daughters spend time with their mothers for the same reason. Okonkwo wishes that his daughter Ezinma were male. He cherishes her forthright nature and courage, but considers these to be male traits.

So, Achebe in giving light to the Ibo culture may have stepped on the toes of feminist critics. However, it may be difficult to publish books that are sensitive to the needs of African women. Kotie addresses the issues surrounding the blossoming field of publication in Africa in the article "The Book Today in Africa." Between the lack of monetary compensation, and the difficulties publishers have in getting products printed and distributed, many African writers rely on publication outside their continent, or use collective publication. There are few resources for publishing in Africa.

The discussion focused on the idea of matriarchy versus patriarchy and how that works in Achebe's text. Verena mentioned that South African men travel away from home to work, therefore creating a matriarchal way of life that "transforms everything it touches." Suganthi commented that social structures in India are arranged patriarchally, creating problems for Indian women. Many of them are educated, but cannot find jobs. "We have our own issues," she said, referring to dowries and other problems. Linton said that many African women are becoming dramatists, but the society is still largely patriarchal. He added that many African women do not have an opportunity to get educated.

The question was posed: Are there similar themes for African American women and African women? Dale responded that there are some universal themes that the two groups share in common. She mentioned an anthology: Daughters of Africa, a text by women of African descent from Africa, USA and other countries. In it there are some common threads, however, the cultures are different, she said. Sawsan said that African themes are different. April said, "I don't get the impression Achebe is holding Okonkwo up as a hero. He is flawed." Dale suggested that one of Okonkwo's wives left her former husband for Okonkwo. This suggests that women had a choice in that society. Okonkwo does not adapt to change. Dr. White said that gender still survives in a lot of languages. He noted that when Enzinma tried to put Okonkwo's cloak on, Okonkwo responds that this is a boy's job. In modern culture, these roles don't completely disappear. It's almost instinctive. In Heart of Darkness, men are going over seas to a different world; Kurtz' Intended is completely dependent on men. However, Marlowe goes to his aunt for help. Nwoye was an interesting character in that the missionaries spoke to the pain in him. Enzinma and Nwoye may represent the new African man and woman.