"[Science] has given us the stablest equilibrium in history. China's was hopelessly insecure by comparison; even the primitive matriarchies weren't steadier than we are. Thanks, I repeat, to science" (Huxley 227).
Science is one of the main reasons that the World State is so stable. The text almost explicitly states that science is beneficial to humanity. The only problem with the science of the World State is its application. If we could use science to benefit our own stability while maintaining our humanity and autonomy, we would be set. Technology is like a powerful medicine. If it is abused, it will be bad. However, if it is used properly, everyone benefits from its miracles.
Monday, April 18, 2016
BNW Ch 15-16: Riot Control?
"Three men with spraying machines buckled to their shoulders pumped thick clouds of soma vapour into the air... Carrying water pistols charged with a powerful anesthetic, four others had pushed their way into the crowd and were methodically laying out, squirt by squirt, the more ferocious of the fighters" (Huxley 214).
Controlling a riot is a tough job. Not only is it hard to part such a violent mass of people, but doing so often results in injury, if not death. Police have no methods to deal with protesters that are non violent, they only have methods to disable or hurt large numbers of people. If police had a gas that instead of choking induced euphoria, police would be able to be a lot more careful in handling violent individuals. Being able to replace tasers with anesthesia guns also seems like a vast improvement. Anesthetics are probably much safer than high voltage. By reducing the violence of our police force, technology could yet again advance our society.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
BNW Ch 13-14: Hospice?
"It was a large room bright with sunshine and yellow paint, and containing twenty beds, all occupied... The air was continuously alive with gay synthetic melodies. At the foot of every bed, confronting its morbid occupant, was a television box" (Huxley 198).
In hospice care, we attempt to make patients feel as comfortable as possible as they depart the world of the living. Keeping someone who is dying comfortable is a tall order. Getting the patient's mind off their condition is critical. To accomplish this, we distract them with things that require little effort but are engaging. If we had the technology to keep the level of atmospheric control that the World State has, we could easily keep all the people in hospice care happy up to their final moments. This is just one more example of a way in which we benefit from technological development.
In hospice care, we attempt to make patients feel as comfortable as possible as they depart the world of the living. Keeping someone who is dying comfortable is a tall order. Getting the patient's mind off their condition is critical. To accomplish this, we distract them with things that require little effort but are engaging. If we had the technology to keep the level of atmospheric control that the World State has, we could easily keep all the people in hospice care happy up to their final moments. This is just one more example of a way in which we benefit from technological development.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
BNW Ch 12: All this progress, and you choose to stand still?
"It was the sort of idea that might easily decondition the more unsettled minds among the higher castes - make them lose their faith in happiness as the Sovereign Good and take to believing, instead, that the goal was somewhere outside the present human sphere; that the purpose of life was not the maintenance of well-being, but some intensification and refining of consciousness, some enlargement of knowledge"(Huxley 177).
My sentiments toward technological advancement could not summed up better than this. The purpose of technological advancement is not to make us happier or to make life easier. The purpose of technological advancement is for us to expand what it means to be human. We should constantly seek to raise the bar higher, not to squeamishly keep the status quo. Is there a ceiling? An end after which we can no longer progress? I doubt such a thing exists, but if it did, it would be our duty to find it and reach it. Though I agree technology benefits humanity, i disagree with the sentiments of the World State here. Humanity cant afford to sit still.
My sentiments toward technological advancement could not summed up better than this. The purpose of technological advancement is not to make us happier or to make life easier. The purpose of technological advancement is for us to expand what it means to be human. We should constantly seek to raise the bar higher, not to squeamishly keep the status quo. Is there a ceiling? An end after which we can no longer progress? I doubt such a thing exists, but if it did, it would be our duty to find it and reach it. Though I agree technology benefits humanity, i disagree with the sentiments of the World State here. Humanity cant afford to sit still.
BNW Ch 11: Fountain of Youth?
"If we could rejuvenate, of course it would be different. But we can't." (Huxley 154)
The prospect of aging can be terrifying to some. The human body begins to deteriorate until you lose your faculties and die. However, what if you could live at the prime of your life forever? The technology shown here cold be a solution to this problem. Being able to keep your eyes, brain, and heart at their prime into old age is a tantalizing prospect. Also, this technology could help advance us further. Imagine if we could keep people like Nikola Tesla or Albert Einstein from going senile! If these brilliant minds just had a bit more time to research and experiment, we could discover new technologies faster, improving our lives greatly.In this manner, technology itself is beneficial to technology.
The prospect of aging can be terrifying to some. The human body begins to deteriorate until you lose your faculties and die. However, what if you could live at the prime of your life forever? The technology shown here cold be a solution to this problem. Being able to keep your eyes, brain, and heart at their prime into old age is a tantalizing prospect. Also, this technology could help advance us further. Imagine if we could keep people like Nikola Tesla or Albert Einstein from going senile! If these brilliant minds just had a bit more time to research and experiment, we could discover new technologies faster, improving our lives greatly.In this manner, technology itself is beneficial to technology.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
BNW Ch 9-10: Order of Progress?
"Everyone was busy, everything in ordered motion." (Huxley 146)
Everything in the world state happens with great efficiency. Technology allows us to work together better, and become streamlined. Take for example Google Docs. This program by Google allows people all over the globe to collaborate on a single document. That is not all, however. It also stores the document on the internet, allowing it to be available anywhere, on computers and mobile devices. Now that we have this technology in our modern day civilization, projects that used to take weeks can be accomplished in days or hours. Through this advancement,we have bettered ourselves as human beings.
Everything in the world state happens with great efficiency. Technology allows us to work together better, and become streamlined. Take for example Google Docs. This program by Google allows people all over the globe to collaborate on a single document. That is not all, however. It also stores the document on the internet, allowing it to be available anywhere, on computers and mobile devices. Now that we have this technology in our modern day civilization, projects that used to take weeks can be accomplished in days or hours. Through this advancement,we have bettered ourselves as human beings.
BNW Ch 8: Brave New World?
"How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is!" (Huxley 139)
Technology has an amazing effect on people. If you are far enough ahead of someone else in technological advancement, the things you take for granted may seem like magic to them. John is enraptured by the mere prospect of joining Bernard in his advanced civilization. Everything about Bernard and Lenina seems magical to John. This is but one of the numerous benefits technology confers to the people.
Technology has an amazing effect on people. If you are far enough ahead of someone else in technological advancement, the things you take for granted may seem like magic to them. John is enraptured by the mere prospect of joining Bernard in his advanced civilization. Everything about Bernard and Lenina seems magical to John. This is but one of the numerous benefits technology confers to the people.
BNW Ch 7: Clothes make the woman?
"Yes, and civilized clothes. Because I thought I should never see a piece of real acetate silk again." (Huxley 119).
Linda does not live in the most favorable of conditions. She is depressed by the fact that she used to have all the technological wonders of the world state at her disposal, but now has to live the simple life of the Native Americans. As soon as she sees Lenina, she becomes hysterical. Just the sight of the clothing of her old home brings her to tears. If technology has that sort of power, there can be no doubt of the benefit it confers to the people. To make such retrogressive demotions as to go from helicopters to no bathrooms is brutal. We advance technology to solve the immediate problems at hand. Innovation is almost required to consider yourself a higher order creature. If humans didn't innovate, we would still be hunting deer with our bare hands. Instead of wasting precious time doing that, I'm able to sit here typing about the benefits of technology.
Linda does not live in the most favorable of conditions. She is depressed by the fact that she used to have all the technological wonders of the world state at her disposal, but now has to live the simple life of the Native Americans. As soon as she sees Lenina, she becomes hysterical. Just the sight of the clothing of her old home brings her to tears. If technology has that sort of power, there can be no doubt of the benefit it confers to the people. To make such retrogressive demotions as to go from helicopters to no bathrooms is brutal. We advance technology to solve the immediate problems at hand. Innovation is almost required to consider yourself a higher order creature. If humans didn't innovate, we would still be hunting deer with our bare hands. Instead of wasting precious time doing that, I'm able to sit here typing about the benefits of technology.
BNW Ch 6: Progress!
"Progress is lovely, isn't it?" (Huxley 100)
Bernard is quick to attack Lenina for her use of hypnopaedic phrases whenever she uses them. They make him angry because he believes most of them to be nothing more than rubbish distributed by the state to make them feel better. However, when Lenina says this phrase, Bernard just sighs and continues his conversation. For all that Bernard despises about the world state, he can't deny that this phrase carries truth. Since the beginning of time, humans have felt the need to move forward. Even if the world state is abysmal, no one can deny that progress is lovely. If we didn't progress, what would be the point of achievement? We burn with the passion to climb higher, build bigger, and go farther. We should embrace this without even the need for hypnopaedia.
Bernard is quick to attack Lenina for her use of hypnopaedic phrases whenever she uses them. They make him angry because he believes most of them to be nothing more than rubbish distributed by the state to make them feel better. However, when Lenina says this phrase, Bernard just sighs and continues his conversation. For all that Bernard despises about the world state, he can't deny that this phrase carries truth. Since the beginning of time, humans have felt the need to move forward. Even if the world state is abysmal, no one can deny that progress is lovely. If we didn't progress, what would be the point of achievement? We burn with the passion to climb higher, build bigger, and go farther. We should embrace this without even the need for hypnopaedia.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
BNW Ch 5: We are the World?
"On their way up the chimney the gasses go through four separate treatments. P2O5 used to go right out of circulation every time they cremated someone. Now they recover over ninety-eight per cent of it." (Huxley 73)
Using advanced technology, we can assist the environment even when we die. Phosphorous that used to become smog and pollution from cremations and factories can be concentrated, extracted, and used for fertilizer. The fertilizer can be used to feed plants that humans will eventually eat, completing the phosphorous cycle. As the dominant species of planet earth, we have a responsibility to take care of the damage we cause. Our cities and metropolises destroy large quantities of land that plants used to occupy, so the least we could do is give back their phosphorous when we are done using it.
Using advanced technology, we can assist the environment even when we die. Phosphorous that used to become smog and pollution from cremations and factories can be concentrated, extracted, and used for fertilizer. The fertilizer can be used to feed plants that humans will eventually eat, completing the phosphorous cycle. As the dominant species of planet earth, we have a responsibility to take care of the damage we cause. Our cities and metropolises destroy large quantities of land that plants used to occupy, so the least we could do is give back their phosphorous when we are done using it.
BNW Ch 4:Transportation Station?
"He started the engines and threw the helicopter screws into gear. the machine shot vertically into the air. Henry accelerated; the humming of the propeller shrilled from hornet to wasp, from wasp to mosquito; the speedometer showed that they were rising at the best part of two kilometres a minute." (Huxley 61)
In this chapter, we see technology that enhances the area of transportation. Rather than have all cars run on the ground floor, cars can now fly at various altitudes. With this technology, traffic can be managed in a whole new dimension. Instead of having to wait for a passing lane to move ahead of a slow vehicle, passing could be allowed under or over he slow vehicle. People would be able to get places faster, and save time, money, and the environment.
In this chapter, we see technology that enhances the area of transportation. Rather than have all cars run on the ground floor, cars can now fly at various altitudes. With this technology, traffic can be managed in a whole new dimension. Instead of having to wait for a passing lane to move ahead of a slow vehicle, passing could be allowed under or over he slow vehicle. People would be able to get places faster, and save time, money, and the environment.
BNW Ch 3:Food, Glorious Food?
"Wheels must turn steadily, but cannot turn untended. There must be men to tend them, men as steady as the wheels upon axles, sane men, obedient men, stable in contentment." (Huxley 42)
Here, Huxley describes how we require guidance as a species, which can only happen with the help of technology. Mustapha Mond is giving a speech on how life has changed in Brave New World. He states how before a system had been put in place, humans experienced a predator-prey cycle. This relationship works as follows: As food supply increases, people to eat that food are born. However, this causes food to deplete, which in turn causes mass starvation. The result is excess food, which raises the population, restarting the cycle. To prevent this mass extinction cycle, a system was established in which population is held constant. By using technology, we can hold the population at carrying capacity, preventing starvation. Over population is a real problem, but we can tackle it with the help of technology.
Here, Huxley describes how we require guidance as a species, which can only happen with the help of technology. Mustapha Mond is giving a speech on how life has changed in Brave New World. He states how before a system had been put in place, humans experienced a predator-prey cycle. This relationship works as follows: As food supply increases, people to eat that food are born. However, this causes food to deplete, which in turn causes mass starvation. The result is excess food, which raises the population, restarting the cycle. To prevent this mass extinction cycle, a system was established in which population is held constant. By using technology, we can hold the population at carrying capacity, preventing starvation. Over population is a real problem, but we can tackle it with the help of technology.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
BTW Ch 2: Pavlovian Conditioning?
"What man has joined, nature is powerless to put asunder" (Huxley 22)
Humans have been slaves to nature from our conception. We always feared natural disasters and been unable to prevent genetic diseases. However, we are approaching the age where we can cast off our chains. We call ourselves the masters of our planet, but we still can't control it. Using the power of modern science, we can become the people we claim to be: the dominant species of planet earth. What we join will not be put asunder.
Humans have been slaves to nature from our conception. We always feared natural disasters and been unable to prevent genetic diseases. However, we are approaching the age where we can cast off our chains. We call ourselves the masters of our planet, but we still can't control it. Using the power of modern science, we can become the people we claim to be: the dominant species of planet earth. What we join will not be put asunder.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
BTW Ch 1: Dominant genes?
"'To improve their sense of balance,' Mr. Foster explained. 'Doing repairs on the outside of a rocket in mid-air is ticklish job'" (Huxley 17)
Every child is born different. Some are optimists, some are pessimists. Some excel at math, while others are masters of language. With the technology of genetic modification, this random chance becomes certain. We could make someone excel at math or language. Progress would no longer be restricted by waiting around for an Einstein or Galileo, we could build legends like these from the DNA up. With the proper application of science, heroes are not born, they are grown. Political correctness would not be relevant anymore, because skin color, height, and other phenotypes would be decided purely based on what was most efficient for their environment. Genetic diseases could be rooted out at the source by gene therapy, and furthermore resistance to other diseases could be added. Humans have faced the stagnation of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium for too long. It is time we used our knowledge to take evolution into our own hands.
Every child is born different. Some are optimists, some are pessimists. Some excel at math, while others are masters of language. With the technology of genetic modification, this random chance becomes certain. We could make someone excel at math or language. Progress would no longer be restricted by waiting around for an Einstein or Galileo, we could build legends like these from the DNA up. With the proper application of science, heroes are not born, they are grown. Political correctness would not be relevant anymore, because skin color, height, and other phenotypes would be decided purely based on what was most efficient for their environment. Genetic diseases could be rooted out at the source by gene therapy, and furthermore resistance to other diseases could be added. Humans have faced the stagnation of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium for too long. It is time we used our knowledge to take evolution into our own hands.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Ch. 24-25: The end of an era?
"Then they came to the tree from which Okonkwo's body was dangling, and they stopped dead" (Achebe 207).
Part I - According to the text(s), what effect did imperialism have on people who lived through it?
In the end, the terrible deed is complete. Okonkwo represented more than just a respected man in the village, he was the representation of the old Umuofia. He was the last of the men who wouldn't hesitate to fight and die for what he believed in. In a way, he became an outcast in his own village. Umuofia changed over the seven years of his absence, and Okonkwo didn't. He became an osu, who didn't shave his ragged rage for fear that doing so would kill him. It meant Okonkwo wasn't welcome in the future, so he stayed in the past. As Okonkwo left Umuofia for good, it ushered in a new era of broken spirits for the people who let the gods fight their own battles.
Part I - According to the text(s), what effect did imperialism have on people who lived through it?
In the end, the terrible deed is complete. Okonkwo represented more than just a respected man in the village, he was the representation of the old Umuofia. He was the last of the men who wouldn't hesitate to fight and die for what he believed in. In a way, he became an outcast in his own village. Umuofia changed over the seven years of his absence, and Okonkwo didn't. He became an osu, who didn't shave his ragged rage for fear that doing so would kill him. It meant Okonkwo wasn't welcome in the future, so he stayed in the past. As Okonkwo left Umuofia for good, it ushered in a new era of broken spirits for the people who let the gods fight their own battles.
Ch. 22-23: Corrupt dominion of the white man?
"They did not know that fifty bags would go to the court messengers, who had increased the fine for that purpose" (Achebe 197).
Part I - According to the text(s), what effect did imperialism have on people who lived through it?
The beliefs of racial and cultural superiority that are necessary to fuel imperialism also break the morals of those administering it. Weren't these people just talking about how it was wrong to fear their divine ruler, and that their God was kind and caring? The imperialists aren't very good practitioners of what they preach. Actions such as these don't help their case of being the absolute truth all must follow. This is yet another example of how there can be no healthy society without cross-cultural understanding.
Part I - According to the text(s), what effect did imperialism have on people who lived through it?
The beliefs of racial and cultural superiority that are necessary to fuel imperialism also break the morals of those administering it. Weren't these people just talking about how it was wrong to fear their divine ruler, and that their God was kind and caring? The imperialists aren't very good practitioners of what they preach. Actions such as these don't help their case of being the absolute truth all must follow. This is yet another example of how there can be no healthy society without cross-cultural understanding.
Ch. 20-21: The good of being dominated?
"The white man had indeed brought a lunatic religion, but he had also built a trading store and for the first time palm-oil and kernel became things of great price, and much money flowed into Umuofia" (Achebe 178).
Part I - According to the text(s), what effect did imperialism have on people who lived through it?
Imperialism has many negative effects on the native people of a country. These negative effects are often so large and profound, that we forget the rule I discussed in chapter 19. Even imperialism had a few benefits for the people of Umuofia. This relationship also represents the idea of cross-cultural understanding and respect. We respect all cultures because no one is one hundred percent good or bad. Everyone has stories to tell and lessons to teach. Only a fool would shut his ears to everyone and live by only his own lessons. As they say, "A true master is an eternal student."
Part I - According to the text(s), what effect did imperialism have on people who lived through it?
Imperialism has many negative effects on the native people of a country. These negative effects are often so large and profound, that we forget the rule I discussed in chapter 19. Even imperialism had a few benefits for the people of Umuofia. This relationship also represents the idea of cross-cultural understanding and respect. We respect all cultures because no one is one hundred percent good or bad. Everyone has stories to tell and lessons to teach. Only a fool would shut his ears to everyone and live by only his own lessons. As they say, "A true master is an eternal student."
Ch. 18-19: God is dominant?
"The heathen speak nothing but falsehood. Only the word of our god is true" (Achebe 157).
Part II - How is imperialismencouraged by patriotism, religion, &/or a sense of cultural/ racial superiority in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart / the past?
In this part of the novel, Mr. Kiaga addresses his stance on the on the Igbo beliefs. When a few osu from the village refuse to shave their heads, Kiaga tells them that they are afraid of divine retribution that doesn't exist. He doesn't even consider a single facet of the Igbo culture to be remotely feasible. This approach of problem solving does not work anywhere. No one is ever one hundred percent right, just as no one is ever one hundred percent wrong. Behind every belief there is a shred of truth, no matter how small. What sets the Christian beliefs above the Igbo as the absolute truth? I guess I am forced to accept that missionaries need to wholeheartedly believe that they are the higher belief, otherwise they wouldn't have a motivation to wipe out the natural beliefs of the people.
Part II - How is imperialismencouraged by patriotism, religion, &/or a sense of cultural/ racial superiority in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart / the past?
In this part of the novel, Mr. Kiaga addresses his stance on the on the Igbo beliefs. When a few osu from the village refuse to shave their heads, Kiaga tells them that they are afraid of divine retribution that doesn't exist. He doesn't even consider a single facet of the Igbo culture to be remotely feasible. This approach of problem solving does not work anywhere. No one is ever one hundred percent right, just as no one is ever one hundred percent wrong. Behind every belief there is a shred of truth, no matter how small. What sets the Christian beliefs above the Igbo as the absolute truth? I guess I am forced to accept that missionaries need to wholeheartedly believe that they are the higher belief, otherwise they wouldn't have a motivation to wipe out the natural beliefs of the people.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Ch. 15-17: DOMINATION!
"During the last planting season a white man appeared in his clan" (Achebe 138).
Finally, they got here! Well, now I can observe this clashing of cultures that I thought would happen. The friction is bound to send sparks flying, I'll wager two pages from now something bad happens between them. "And so they killed the white man and tied his iron horse to their sacred tree because it looked as if it would run away to call the man's friends." (Achebe 138). Well then, same page is a bit sooner then I expected. Oh well, there was a communication barrier, they are going to figure out how to get over it and come back. Yeah, this isn't going to be too bad! "And they began to shoot." (Achebe 139) Wow, they met one page ago, and women and children are already being senselessly slaughtered. Well, guess I can finally talk about what brings this on next.
Finally, they got here! Well, now I can observe this clashing of cultures that I thought would happen. The friction is bound to send sparks flying, I'll wager two pages from now something bad happens between them. "And so they killed the white man and tied his iron horse to their sacred tree because it looked as if it would run away to call the man's friends." (Achebe 138). Well then, same page is a bit sooner then I expected. Oh well, there was a communication barrier, they are going to figure out how to get over it and come back. Yeah, this isn't going to be too bad! "And they began to shoot." (Achebe 139) Wow, they met one page ago, and women and children are already being senselessly slaughtered. Well, guess I can finally talk about what brings this on next.
Ch. 13-14: It comes in parts?
"Your mother is there to protect you"
Here we are, part II! This is where the the real imperialism happens, right? Anyway, since I ran out of things to write a while ago, I'm just going to analyze this quote a bit. Sounds good? Alright. Okonkwo is as manly as they come. However when he is exiled, he goes to his motherland. Uchendu offers an explanation. He says that when things are good, sons like their fathers. But when the going gets tough, they go to their mothers for protection. In a way, I feel that this makes the woman stronger than man. After all, real strength isn't shown in aggressive displays but in desperate acts of protection. There isn't much that is stronger than a mother's devotion to her child. Maybe after this, Okonkwo won't beat his wives so much anymore.
Here we are, part II! This is where the the real imperialism happens, right? Anyway, since I ran out of things to write a while ago, I'm just going to analyze this quote a bit. Sounds good? Alright. Okonkwo is as manly as they come. However when he is exiled, he goes to his motherland. Uchendu offers an explanation. He says that when things are good, sons like their fathers. But when the going gets tough, they go to their mothers for protection. In a way, I feel that this makes the woman stronger than man. After all, real strength isn't shown in aggressive displays but in desperate acts of protection. There isn't much that is stronger than a mother's devotion to her child. Maybe after this, Okonkwo won't beat his wives so much anymore.
Ch. 11-12: There will be imperialism in this imperialism book, right?
"Agbala do-o-o-o!" (Achebe 100)
The Igbo have many traditions that seem strange and foreign to an outsider, especially one of European descent. Oracles, spirits, and medicines are not really present in the European beliefs system at any time, so they seem especially strange and foreign. And will there ever be imperialism? I'm grasping at straws here. I can attempt to draw more conclusions about the clash between these cultures, but I think I drew them all already. Can there just be some evidence of European influence so I can write about it? Seriously, anything at all will do. Please.
The Igbo have many traditions that seem strange and foreign to an outsider, especially one of European descent. Oracles, spirits, and medicines are not really present in the European beliefs system at any time, so they seem especially strange and foreign. And will there ever be imperialism? I'm grasping at straws here. I can attempt to draw more conclusions about the clash between these cultures, but I think I drew them all already. Can there just be some evidence of European influence so I can write about it? Seriously, anything at all will do. Please.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Ch. 9-10: Dominant Native Culture?
"He brought out a sharp razor from the goatskin bag slung from his left shoulder and began to mutilate the child. Then be took it away to bury in the evil forest, holding it by the ankle and dragging it on the ground behind him" (Achebe 78).
The native people of Africa have many superstitions, such as ogbanje and egwugwu. These traditions may seem strange to outsiders, and will no doubt horrify the the Europeans. But we have to ask, is there a right answer? Is it OK to let a witch doctor refuse your dead son a funeral because he is supposedly an ogbanje, mutilate his body, and drag him out to the forest to bury him? I don't know what comes first, but am inclined to believe that there is no correct answer. Societies should be left to discover their own answers about morality and what is right versus wrong. However, I doubt these people will receive the courtesy from their imperialistic assailants.
The native people of Africa have many superstitions, such as ogbanje and egwugwu. These traditions may seem strange to outsiders, and will no doubt horrify the the Europeans. But we have to ask, is there a right answer? Is it OK to let a witch doctor refuse your dead son a funeral because he is supposedly an ogbanje, mutilate his body, and drag him out to the forest to bury him? I don't know what comes first, but am inclined to believe that there is no correct answer. Societies should be left to discover their own answers about morality and what is right versus wrong. However, I doubt these people will receive the courtesy from their imperialistic assailants.
Ch 7-8: Dominant Culture?
"All their customs are upside-down" (Achebe 73).
In this quote, we see Okonkwo discussing with Obierika the customs of a nearby village. They think it is weird that the other tribe doesn't haggle bride price in the same way. These natural customs are varied heavily even among the people of Africa. When Europeans arrive, I can't even imagine the culture shock that will happen. The Europeans are hinted at towards the end of the chapter by the mention of the leper, but the locals don't seem to believe that the Europeans could even exist. The scene is set for a violent clash of cultures, and things don't look good.
In this quote, we see Okonkwo discussing with Obierika the customs of a nearby village. They think it is weird that the other tribe doesn't haggle bride price in the same way. These natural customs are varied heavily even among the people of Africa. When Europeans arrive, I can't even imagine the culture shock that will happen. The Europeans are hinted at towards the end of the chapter by the mention of the leper, but the locals don't seem to believe that the Europeans could even exist. The scene is set for a violent clash of cultures, and things don't look good.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Ch. 5-6 Things Fall Apart: Okonkwo Dominates?
"He trembled with the desire to conquer and subdue" (Achebe 42).
Part II - - How is imperialism encouraged by patriotism, religion, &/or a sense of cultural/racial superiority in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart / the past?
In this quote, Okonkwo is shown reacting to the wrestling drums. When the drums beat, they fill him with burning passion. These feelings are at the core of imperialism. The European Invaders most likely feel this too upon seeing Africa. They don't respect the natural customs because they feel this same need to not only conquer, but to subdue the people. If they are allowed to practice their old traditions, have they really won? No, they need to prove to themselves that their culture is so superior that the natives can't resist adopting it. In this way, a need to subjugate leads to imperialism.
Part II - - How is imperialism encouraged by patriotism, religion, &/or a sense of cultural/racial superiority in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart / the past?
In this quote, Okonkwo is shown reacting to the wrestling drums. When the drums beat, they fill him with burning passion. These feelings are at the core of imperialism. The European Invaders most likely feel this too upon seeing Africa. They don't respect the natural customs because they feel this same need to not only conquer, but to subdue the people. If they are allowed to practice their old traditions, have they really won? No, they need to prove to themselves that their culture is so superior that the natives can't resist adopting it. In this way, a need to subjugate leads to imperialism.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Ch 3-4 Things Fall Apart: Superiority = Domination?
"The man who had contradicted him had no titles. That was why he had called him a woman. Okonkwo knew how to kill a man's spirit" (Achebe 26).
Part II -How is imperialismencouraged by patriotism, religion, &/or a sense of cultural/
racial superiority in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart / the past?
In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo has established himself as the alpha male of the Umuofia tribe. He then exerts his power over the other men of the tribe to silence those who would oppose his ideas or his place as their true leader. Okonkwo isn't supported by the rest of the tribe when he crushes Osugo's spirit, but his task was done the moment he spoke. Osugo will not speak out against Okonkwo so readily again. He will most likely stay silent and hope that someone speaks for him. Once all the men in Umuofia are in this state, everyone will just be silently complacent to Okonkwo's demands. In this way, he has used his social superiority in the village to subjugate his peers, and emerge the true ruler of the village. Eventually, he may force the men of the village to decide between his word and the word of the elders. The men would realize opposing Okonkwo may be more painful than opposing the elders, and thus he has conquered his village. Okonkwo's domination is fueled by a sense of supeeiority. Because his father was such a failure, it was easy for him to say he was better than his father. This set the stage for him to aspire to surpass those around him.
Part II -How is imperialismencouraged by patriotism, religion, &/or a sense of cultural/
racial superiority in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart / the past?
In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo has established himself as the alpha male of the Umuofia tribe. He then exerts his power over the other men of the tribe to silence those who would oppose his ideas or his place as their true leader. Okonkwo isn't supported by the rest of the tribe when he crushes Osugo's spirit, but his task was done the moment he spoke. Osugo will not speak out against Okonkwo so readily again. He will most likely stay silent and hope that someone speaks for him. Once all the men in Umuofia are in this state, everyone will just be silently complacent to Okonkwo's demands. In this way, he has used his social superiority in the village to subjugate his peers, and emerge the true ruler of the village. Eventually, he may force the men of the village to decide between his word and the word of the elders. The men would realize opposing Okonkwo may be more painful than opposing the elders, and thus he has conquered his village. Okonkwo's domination is fueled by a sense of supeeiority. Because his father was such a failure, it was easy for him to say he was better than his father. This set the stage for him to aspire to surpass those around him.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Ch. 1-2 Things Fall Apart: Domestic Domination?
"And so the neighboring clans who knew of these things feared Umuofia, and would not go to war against it without trying a peaceful settlement first." (Achebe 12)
Part II - How is imperialism encouraged by patriotism, religion, &/or a sense of cultural / racial superiority in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart / the past?
This shows clearly that imperialism existed in Africa before the Europeans invaded. Imperialism is defined as a policy of extending power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Umuofia obviously has extended its power to the other villages, given that the other villages will always attempt to pay tribute rather than fight the Umuofia tribe. This exertion of power by the tribe is fueled by a sense of superiority developed in wars against weaker tribes. The Umuofia tribe enjoys the ability to dominate the surrounding area through the use of fear as a weapon. This pervasive fear, likely based as much on fables and tall tales as truth, creates the idea that the Umuofia tribe is undeniably in control, and their rule cannot be contested. In a similar way, the Europeans used their higher level of technology to create fear among those they conquered. They could not question their oppressors, because their rule was absolute.
Part II - How is imperialism encouraged by patriotism, religion, &/or a sense of cultural / racial superiority in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart / the past?
This shows clearly that imperialism existed in Africa before the Europeans invaded. Imperialism is defined as a policy of extending power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Umuofia obviously has extended its power to the other villages, given that the other villages will always attempt to pay tribute rather than fight the Umuofia tribe. This exertion of power by the tribe is fueled by a sense of superiority developed in wars against weaker tribes. The Umuofia tribe enjoys the ability to dominate the surrounding area through the use of fear as a weapon. This pervasive fear, likely based as much on fables and tall tales as truth, creates the idea that the Umuofia tribe is undeniably in control, and their rule cannot be contested. In a similar way, the Europeans used their higher level of technology to create fear among those they conquered. They could not question their oppressors, because their rule was absolute.
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