Why is Chinua Achebe perceived as a misogynist in his novel Things Fall Apart?

Answer 1

The way Chinua Achebe depicts women of the Igbo conflicts with the modern idea of independent, strong-willed women.

Achebe writes about women as objects to be bought or sold in Things Fall Apart. For example, each bride has a price which a man must pay in order to have for his own. Further, each women serves her husband, and is punished if they do not fulfill their duties. Moreover, men are allowed to take multiple wives. The main character Okonkwo has 3 wives, and the first wife is not even named. Women are not allowed to attend village meetings; their place is the home. Okonkwo beats his wives, and except for one special time during a religious holiday, this is acceptable to the villagers, or at least ignored. Okonkwo often wishes Ezinma was a boy. Women are sexualized, in song and in the story. Men who do not have titles are derided as women.

Achebe does not specifically denounce this treatment of women.

These perceptions can be partially countered by several other points:

• This was the condition of women back in these days. In order to be historically accurate, he would have to accurately portray the condition of Igbo women.
• The most powerful villager was a woman, the voice of the Oracle of Agbala.
• Achebe spends much time speaking about Ezinma and Ekwefi.
• During the trial, the woman who has left her husband is treated well, and is not punished. Her actions are considered reasonable.
• Achebe implicitly condemns the man who excessively beat his wife, when describing the trial.
• Okonkwo beats everyone, not just his wives. He beats his sons and other villagers.
• Ezinma is the most thoughtful of Okonkwo's children, and is a female.
• Okonkwo's biggest disgrace turns out to be his son.
• The sexualization of women in the song, is much like pop genre music, and isn't necessarily misogynistic.
• The appreciation of sexuality in women is not necessarily misogynistic. Ekwefi appears to sexualize Okonkwo as well.
• Even though domestic abuse is often ignored, this does not necessarily mean it is accepted by others. Further, domestic abuse is a reality for many people even to this day.