Comparison Exercise

In pairs you will be allocated a chapter from the novel to compare with the last chapter.

You will then be reporting your findings back to the class.

You will need to consider the following things for each chapter you are asked to analyse:

1. How does the author position you to view the Ibo tribe? (Consider social structure, culture, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc).

• Okonkow is only recognised when he wins the wrestling match This gives you an idea that all village men had to be strong and they had to prove it by a wrestling match
• Their system of law After an Ibo women is killed by another village that village is to sacrifice a virgin and a young boy instead of the killed being imprisoned.
• Okonkow never shows emotion “Okonkow never showed any emotion openly, unless it is the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness.” pg 25 this shows the attitude that the tribe has towards men showing emotion.
• Beliefs Peace week they honour their peace goddess”It was unheard of to beat someone during the sacred week” pg 26  if they didn’t honour the goddess their crops would not grow.  Okonkow had to sacrifice a female goat at the shrine of Ani.
• Social Structure
1. Ezeani
2. Okonkow
3. Ikemefuna


2. How does the author position you to view the individual characters? (Focus only on those characters who are essential to the plot).

• Okonkow is seen to be strong, powerful, brave and dominant. He is the leader of his family and he is given the job to look after the young boy who was paid by the village that was responsible for killing the Ibo woman. Okonkow is seen as very cold hearted and strict.

3. How does the author position you to view men?
The author positions the reader to see men and strong and powerful, he positions the audience to see the man as having all power they can do what ever they want within the tribe and to their women.
4. How does the author position you to view women?
The author positions the reader to see women as submissive and weak. They have no power with in the tribe there husband is their leader. If a women is to speak out or speak her mind then she is to be beaten.
5. How does the author position you to view the Europeans? (If relevant to the chapter).
It is not relevant to the chapter yet.