Lesley Scheuber

Mrs. Bosch

English 10 Honors

13 July 2006

Assignment 2

Everyone has differences or flaws that set them apart from

others. There are various reasons why people behave or act

differently than one another. The location and family life of someone

is a huge impact on the kind of person one becomes. People from

small towns may behave differently than people in large towns

because the lack or gain of diversity. People from large towns may

have different hobbies than those from small. Also, people who live

along the coast or near a lake may have different hobbies than those

of us who live in the valley or a desert. In fact, a person’s heritage is

a large factor in the shaping of someone, also. People from different

heritages may eat special food or have different traditions than

others. There are many reasons for why each person is their own

individual. The area in which one lives or the people one is around

influences the person someone will become. I am different from

others because I come from a small family, a small town, and a

unique heritage.


I have a much smaller family than most people. To be exact, I

have less than 15 immediate family members. Rather than having

family on both my mom and dad’s side, I have family on only my

dad’s side. Out of six grandchildren, I am the youngest and the only

girl. Therefore, I have grown up with boys my whole life. Growing

up with all boys has really shaped my personality. I am more

comfortable around boys than girls, and I enjoy sports and rough

housing. Because I am so comfortable with being near the male

gender, I have many close guy friends. In addition, like boys, I do

not show signs of physical pain. If I had grown up around girls, I

would probably a pretty girl who is afraid to get dirty. Also, having

a small family makes me really close and appreciative of the family I

have. I am very open with my family, and I joke around a lot. A

majority of my friends who have big families tell me they feel very

awkward and bored at family events or dinners. Having such a

small, accepting family has allowed me to be very outgoing in any

situation and to see where my personality came from. Since I take a

great joy in my small family, I would like to have a small family of

my own in the future.


Where you live has a great impact on the person one becomes. I

have lived in this small town of Patterson since birth. Growing up in

Patterson is the greatest factor in influencing the person I am now.

I get the opportunity to walk around town feeling safe and free

oppose to people in areas around Oakland, San Jose, and Los

Angeles. Patterson does not have nearly as many violent gangs as

those places. There have been tragedies here, but I still feel that

growing up in a small town has sheltered me from the dangers of

gangs. That can be good and bad. In some ways it is good because I

do not have to live my life in fear or paranoia. Yet, sometimes I

should be more cautious in my actions because no one is ever

guaranteed safety. To those who live in urban cities, Patterson is

dull and boring. It is true at times I am stuck not having much to

do, but that allows me to spend my time on homework and athletics.

If I lived in a busy city with something always going on, with my

outgoing personality, I would not get any of my homework done. I

am happy with my success in academics, and I credit that to living in

a small town.


My heritage affects who I am on the outside and on the inside. I

am mainly Portuguese and Swiss. I look more Swiss than I do

Portuguese. I have light brown hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. So, I

have grown up being typically called a “white girl”. I set apart from

the dominant dark hair and brown eyes. I enjoy being different and

myself but some people make it difficult. I often get picked on for

having fair skin. I also have to endure being called names like a

“weda” or “cracker”. When I was younger, I used to be ashamed of

being light-skinned. I constantly wanted to get tan thinking people

would lay off the jokes. However, I have grown to accept and

appreciate who I am and what I look like. Another old insecurity

was my middle name, Donner. You may recognize it from the

infamous Donner party. Many adults make jokes that I am a

carnivore, and I eat other people. My peers would jest about me

being a reindeer. So growing up, I told people that I did not have a

middle name. I did not want to hear the sarcastic remarks anymore.

Now, I have come to understand that I am who I am. I am related

to people who did what they had to do to survive, and whether or

not I like it, they are my relatives.


Overall, my family, my living conditions, and my heritage are the

main factors of the person I am. I am outgoing and free because I

am giving the opportunity to be that every day. My family

motivates me to be successful in what ever I chose to do. I live a

fearless life, in exception to spiders, because I have not been given a

reason to fear anything. Fortunately, I am active in athletics and in

shape because I have grown up around boys in my family and in

day care. I have the chance to get work done without being left out

of anything. I have become an understanding and accepting person.

I have learned that everyone has their insecurities and flaws, and no

one should be judged by them. I have very close friends because

living in a small town allows you to get to know a handful of people

well oppose to a big town where you have tons of friends that you

have talked to here and there. I am shaped in my own unique way

and no one is exactly like me. Everyone should take pride in

knowing they are special and original.

Lesley Scheuber

Mrs. Bosch

English 10 Honors

29 July 2006

Assignment: I

Pride is the honor or dignity one has in something. Every living being

takes pride in at least one thing in their life. Whether it is a foolish

thing to be proud of to someone else, it may mean the world to that

one person. People take advantage of other people’s pride or dignity

and disrespect it. Someone’s honor is not something to fool around

with. Throughout Things Fall Apart, Achebe shows the things he is

proud of in his life. However, not everyone takes pride in the same

things. Many people take pride in their personality traits, athletic

abilities, physical features, their past, or their future. There are

great differences between what people are proud of now and what

people were proud of in the past. With the exceptions above, many

people today are proud of material items like trophies and medals.

Achebe used many unfortunate events in Things Fall Apart to show

how important the things he took pride in were. He shows what

would happen when people lose sight of everything he is proud of.

Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart to express that he takes pride in his

family, heritage, language, and his memories.

Achebe takes the most pride in his family. The whole book is about

the ups and downs of an Umuofian family. Achebe used this family to

demonstrate through specific actions how he took pride in his family.

The incident between Nwoye and Okonkwo illustrates the

importance of family. The controversies began when “Nwoye had

been attracted to the new faith from the very first day, he kept it

secret. He dared not to go too near the missionaries for fear

of his father” (149). Nwoye knew he was betraying his family when

he began practicing the new faith. As time past, Okonkwo became

aware of Nwoye’s visits to the missionary. Okonkwo was enraged

and began to strangle Nwoye. Nwoye would have died if it were not

for Uchendu who came and calmed Okonkwo. When Nwoye was

released, he left forever. Okonkwo was very upset and saddened

with the matter. Achebe shows the importance of family through

this dispute. A family is not a family if there are lies and secrets

being kept. He uses this tragedy to demonstrate that families should

stick together when times are rough and not leave. Achebe wanted

the readers to see that a family is more than a group of people who

have the same blood, but a group of people who rely and depend on

each other. That is what Achebe takes pride in.

The heritage of Achebe is something he takes honor in. His heritage

is full of many special occasions and ceremonies. All of the people in

Umuofia are not just friends, but they are a big family. They feast

together and work together. It is traditional in the village to open a

kola nut when a visitor other than one’s child or wife visits them in

their obi. The tribe had a “Feast of the New Yam” which was a feast

held for the goddess Ani. Ani was the goddess of the earth and the

source of all fertility. Every Umuofian took a part in this feast.

Achebe explains every special occasion in great detail. The most

honored tradition in the tribe is the Week of Peace. During that

week, a man is not allowed to beat his children or wives. However,

Okonkwo disturbed the Week of Peace when he beat his wife. His

youngest wife left to get her hair braided and did not feed her

children before she left. Okonkwo was very upset that she was gone

and forgot it was the sacred week. People heard his wife’s cries, and

Okonkwo had to be punished. There is no excuse for a man to beat

his wife during the Week of Peace. Ezeani explained that even if

Okonkwo came into his obi and “found her lover on top of her, you

would still have committed a great evil to beat her” (30). Nothing

could justify his actions so he was punished. Okonkwo had to make

a sacrifice to Ani. He had to bring a female goat, a hen, cloth, and

a hundred cowries to her shrine. Achebe used this story to show the

importance of tradition of his culture. It is wrong to break tradition,

and there are no exceptions. Achebe is proud of his culture, and he

shows that those who break the rules deal with the consequences.

The art communication and language of Achebe’s culture was

greatly valued. Communication was necessary in Umuofia. The

failure to communicate with each other can cause a society to fall.

Umuofia began to fall because they forgot to speak up for

themselves. Okonkwo was a man who always voiced his opinions.

He stood up for what he believed was right, and he was never one to

back down. However, when he was banished from Umuofia, no one

was there to speak up for the tribe. They allowed the Europeans

to come in and build a missionary. The Umuofians took the

Europeans for granted because they came in harmlessly and quiet.

We later learn that Okonkwo would have never allowed the

Europeans in because he remembered the incident in Abame. He

knew that the Europeans would cause danger even though the

situation between Abame and Umuofia was different. The

Europeans missionary grew tremendously, and the Umuofians were

no longer happy with their decision. However, they were too afraid

of the “white men” and did not act against them. This was unlike

the historical tribe because Umuofia was known for their strength

and dominance in war. While six Umuofians tried to negotiate a

mishap with the Europeans, “the six men were handcuffed and let

into the guardroom” (194). The Umuofians had allowed the

Europeans the power to arrest the people of Umuofia. They lost

their voice, therefore, they lost their power. Achebe used this as an

example to show the importance of communication and language.

People are given the ability to speak for a reason. Achebe knows

that if do not use your ability to speak up, then someone will speak

up for you. Communication is vital and that is why Achebe takes

pride in it.

Achebe was honored to have his memories. They are created every

day whether they are fun, sad, disturbing, loving, or interesting. A

memory is something no one can take from you. It is your own and

nothing can ever change that. A simple memory can keep you warm

on a cold night, or it can motivate you to be a better person. In

Okonkwo’s case, his memory motivated him to be a recognized as

a great man. Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, was very lazy and

unsuccessful. His father held no honors in Umuofia, and Okonkwo

does not consider men without honors real men. His father was

incompetent, and he only thought about the present, which is not

always bad except for in this situation. Unoka has chalked lines on

the walls of his obi to keep track of how much money he owes

people. When Unoka got money, instead of paying his way out of

debt, he “immediately bought gourds of palm-wine, called round his

neighbors and made merry” (4). Okonkwo remembered the way his

father was, and he did not want to be like him. Achebe takes pride

in memory because your memory is important. Bad memories, like

Okonkwo’s of his father, motivate you to be different and set

yourself apart. Achebe sees the greatness in a memory and wants

his readers to see it.

Achebe was being bold when he wrote Things Fall Apart. He put his

pride and his feelings out and that allows people the opportunity to

judge him. He wanted to share his beliefs, and he was successful. It

is said that a man will be content until their pride or dignity is

stepped on. Therefore, Achebe was going out on a limb when

writing this novel. There are multiple signs within the novel that

demonstrate the pride he has in his culture. He is not ashamed of

his heritage and does not pretend to be someone he is not. When

reading this novel, many of Achebe’s personality traits are

presented to us readers. He is grateful for his family and the

blessing of life. He is grateful and proud of the simple things in

life. Many of us take talking and thinking for granted,

yet Achebe realizes how blessed he is to have these abilities.

Achebe is a wise man who takes pride in fascinating attributes.

Questions: Part III
1. Achebe brought in the Europeans at the end to show the power of influence. These men slowly took over the villages, and they tore apart families. Achebe wanted to show how quickly the village fell apart. Bringing the Europeans gave us the opportunity to see how the Igbo people handled violence or the decision to take action. Achebe ironically brought the men in right after Okonkwo was exiled from his fatherland. Okonkwo was a strong man and would have never allowed these men into the village.

2. The people of Umuofia lost there voice in the seven years Okonkwo was gone. Many of the men became cowards and did not stand up for themselves. They allowed their village and homeland to be taken over by the Europeans. The people of Umuofia took the foreigners for granted and did not realize the consequences that were to come to them. Some people who still believed in the Umuofia customs enjoyed the presence of the Christians because they brought trade stores. Those people were thinking of themselves and not the well-being of the community.

3. The court messengers transfer information from the commissioner to the leaders of Umuofia. They are also guards at the prison created by the Europeans. When someone violates one of the white man's laws, he is taken to Umuru to be hanged. However, the customs of Umuofia are different. When someone does wrong, he is to either offer sacrifices or exiled.

4. Obierika says "'it is too late'" because if they go to war with the Christians, they will be killing their brothers or children who have converted. The people of Umuofia are greatly outnumbered and the village will be destroyed like Abame. The white men were clever because they came to the village quiet and discreet. That gave them an innocent and harmless look so the leaders allowed them to stay. Obierika may be considered a transitional figure because he thinks fighting will not solve this problem. He has already lost hope for the village.

5. Mr. Smith was not as friendly as Mr. Brown. Mr. Smith did not understand the people of Umuofia as well, and he was not as brave or clever. Akunna and Mr. Brown's discussion showed the major differences in the two religions. It also gave us the idea that people with different religions can still be friends. Enoch killed a spirit when he took off the mask of an egwugwu. Severe consequences come to someone who does this. The two religions do not understand each other's customs and importance of certain ceremonies.

6. The white men offer the opportunity of a good education and new trade stores. This is important to some people, but it is not important to Okonkwo. Some of the people want their children to learn how to read and write. Therefore, they send their children to Mr. Brown's school. Mr. Brown will teach stories of his religion along with basic school curriculum. This strengthens the amount of people converting to his ways.

7. The District Commissioner said he wanted his twelve men to hear the stories being told by the men. Instead, the twelve men overpowered the leaders and handcuffed them. Okonkwo is very disturbed by this and tries to hold back his anger. He killed the messenger out of frustration, and he thought that they were going to go to war against the men anyway. Okonkwo knew he was going to be hanged, and he wanted to send a message to his people. When he committed suicide, he was trying to show the people of Umuofia that the village is being destroyed. He is isolated because he committed a great offence. I consider him a tragic hero. He tried to speak for his people and ancestors, yet no one would listen. Therefore, he had to committ the offence to open their eyes once again.

8. The District Commissioner will create a mockery of Okonkwo. He will be made into a despised and foolish character in a small portion of a novel. Achebe follows the same religion of Okonkwo. Achebe understood him and his actions. The District Commissioner did not. There was much more to Okonkwo then his tragic death and harsh action. He dealt with many problems and led a life full greatness. A life that some people looked past like the Europeans.

9. Things fell apart in this novel because the people lost their voice. They allowed themselves to be pushed around and taken over. They let fear get in the way of what was right. The people also judged the Europeans as foolish and took them for granted. The novel sends the message to stand up for yourselves and to not judge. When doing so, you are not only hurting yourself but a large group of people.

10. The African English cross helps english speakers relate to the tribes on a more intimate level. It gives us the opportunity to understand where the Igbo people come from and their traditions. Throughout the book, we compare and contrast our lives to the lives of the Igbo's. The cross is basically to create a familiar atmosphere for those of us not used to their culture. Therefore, the amount of readers are not limited to a certain group of people.

Questions: Part II
1. Okonkwo fled to Mbanta because children flee to their mother for protection. Therefore, it is instinct for him to return to his motherland. He has family there and has comfort from his mother's kinsmen. Okonkwo despairs because all his achievements in Umuofia have been lost. He held titles and was known as a great man. Now he is in exile and feels weak. Uchendu wonders why Okonkwo is sad. Uchendu thinks he is being childish and immature. He does not think Okonkwo understands the greatness of a mother.

2. The Abame clan has been destroyed. Uchendu and Okonkwo think the Abame people were foolish for attacking a man who said nothing. There should be more fear in a silent man than a man who shouts. Uchendu reacts the best because he is the wisest in the land. When Uchendu says "'There is no story that is not true,'" he means that there is a truth or moral in all stories, therefore, they cannot be spoken as false.

3. Obierika came to visit Okonkwo to bring him money from his harvests. The second time Obierika came was to talk to Okonkwo about his son Nwoye being involved at the missionaries in Umuofia. He is curious and wants to learn about this new culture and religion. The Igbo people feel like the missionaries are trying to disrupt the clan and bring them to an abomination, as they repeatedly state. The Africans that are attracted are the men with no titles or the women with no luck. They are attracted because they have lost all faith in their own religion or chi. Nwoye converts because it feels right. He feels comforted or at home. Okonkwo beat Nwoye and began choking him when he found out. Okonkwo refuses to speak about Nwoye.

4. The church was expected to fail because it was in the Evil Forest. Also, when a few converts came into the village being smug, they were beaten severely. They allow the christians to stay at the end because justice was done. When the rumor of one of the converts killing the sacred python came around, that convert died for natural reasons. This pleased the clan, and they did not feel like torturing the people was necessary. The Igbo people believe in multiple gods, live sacrifices, and luck. The christians believe in self-sacrificing rather than live, and they believe that there is only one true God.

5. The younger generations are not so involved in the old fashion traditions. Okonkwo gave his motherland's kinsmen a big feast before he left. It was not for paybacks. He said it was just to gather together the people of Mbanta. The younger generations think of only themselves and their money. Every generation is losing a little more respect for the elders. The elders are afraid that someday the younger are going to overthrow them or drop their father's beliefs all together. This foreshadows the success of the white man. While the children begin gradually losing respect for their father or elders, they will begin doing whatever it is they wish.

Questions: Part I

1. Okonkwo is young, but he is considered a great man in his clan. He has achieved so much at such a young age because he is not lazy. He remembers his father's laziness and lack of a title to motivate him to be great. He is different from the average Western hero in various ways. Unlike them, Okonkwo does not show sympathy or any emotion at all. He is not much of a social person, and he is not an accepting person. However, he does have many strengths. Okonkwo is a very determined and intelligent man. He is a wealthy, hard-working man. He also has a weakness. He gets ill-tempered quickly, and he is not understanding. He is afraid to show his true feelings.

2. Unoka was a very lazy and laidback man. He borrowed money and never paid people back. Okonkwo was ashamed of his father because Unoka did not hold any titles. Unoka's laziness motivated Okonkwo to work hard. Okonkwo decided to learn good working skills so he wouldn't turn out like his father, without a title. Okonkwo's success at such an early age along with his father's failure shows that a man can prove himself worthy and not carry his father's name. A man is considered to be successful when he has a few barns, many wives, multiple children, and enough food to continuously sacrifice to the gods and ancestors. Therefore, if you are not a farmer, you are excluded from the success or titles that a man can receive.

3. The narrator of this story is straight forward and understanding. It describes each character or scene with honesty and a sense of ease. The narrator seems to believe strongly in the everyday traditions of the culture. He looks down on laziness and an easy life. However, he praises those who are knowlegdable and people who came out on top of a tough time. The narrator also is a strong believer in punishment but to an extent.

4. Things Fall Apart is set in the 1890's in Umuofia, Nigeria. The culture is of the Igbo people. The social lives are organized by who you reside by, your wealth, and your relatives. The important celebrations are for mainly the gods or ancestors and the end of harvest season. The purpose of war is justification mostly. These people's lives revolve around religion. Sacrificing and praying are every day necessities. They believe that gods control their lives, luck, and crops. Each individual in the community is expected to take a part in the celebrations and make themselves into someone important. The Igbo traditions are much different than my traditions. In our culture, we celebrate holidays for historical events, not harvesting. We also do not sacrifice living beings to gods, but we make personal sacrifices for God.

5. The people do not go out at night unless the moon is bright. They think that dangerous animals become more unpredictable. The children and adults were all quiet at night because they were afraid of evil spirits. They call snakes "strings" at night because they think the snakes can hear them.

6. A young clansmen is killed by Okonkwo's gun by accident. Accident or not, Okonkwo must leave his village with his family and not return for seven years. The following morning Okonkwo's hut, barn, and livestock is completely destroyed. However, Okonkwo is not hated. Him and his family are fleeing to a village just outside Mbaino.

7. The most important crop is yams. There is the dry season, rainy season, and harvest season. Sharecropping is farming and sharing the production of a crop or crops with someone else. The men are known to farm yams while the women farm coco-yams. Women are expected to mainly cook and tend to the children because they are not believed to be strong enough to farm yams.

8. Okonkwo seems to especially like his second wife's daughter, Ezinma. Throughout the story, Okonkwo secretly praises Ezinma and wishes she could have been a boy. He sees a lot of his father in his eldest son Nwoye. At times Nwoye can be very lazy, therefore Okonkwo pushes his a little too much. Although Okonkwo gets angry with Ekwefi, I feel he greatly cares for her. He was there to support her the night Chielo took Ezinma. He shows more respect to those three women than to anyone else in his family. Men farm all day long and make names for themselves. However, the women cook, bear children and take care their of children. Outwardly, Okonkwo shows no affection towards women becomes he does not want to be looked at as weak. But, he shows that he cares deeply about the women in his life when Ezinma became ill and when she was taken to the cave by Chielo.

9. Okonkwo was punished for breaking the Peace of Ani. He beat his youngest wife Ojiugo during the Week of Peace which is forbidden. That shows that the Igbo people are very serious about their cultures traditions. No one will slide for wrong doing. Ezeani thought beating your wife was wrong because you are insulting the gods and ancestors. It is considered as committing great evil.

10. The culture of the Igbo people is much different than my culture. However, I understand the events that are taking place. I have learned a lot about the culture of these people, and it's interesting to see the compare this culture to others known. The most foreign thing to me would have to be the digging up the stone of the Obanje children. The most familiar event to me is the get together before a wedding.