Things Fall Apart

If taken literally, it means that people like walking in the night when the moon is out, particularly since they are often unable to do so usually.

Another possibility is that when rare opportunities present themselves to people, people are eager to take them.

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.

After Okonkwo's exile:Obierika thought it did not make sense to punish a man for an accident. Also, he thought about twins his wife had borne who were killed and thrown away. However, he also thought that if punishment was not exacted for an offense, it would bring a stain to the clan.

Eg, one possible example is that people might get away with crimes by pretending that they were accidents, and not getting punished.

After Abame's slaughter:

He thought that a great evil had come upon Mbanta and their land, also affecting their sacred lake and its fish. He also thought the village of Mbanta had paid for their foolishness. He further thought that the stories of the white men had not been true, but they must be now.

After Nwoye arrives in Umuofia after having left his family:

Obierika wonders what has happened between Nwoye and Okonkwo.

After the white men begin encroaching on the tribal lands:

Obierika thinks it is too late to fight against the white men as they have already recruited other clansmen to their side. To fight the white men would be to fight clansman, which would be unthinkable.

After Okonwko and the men are set free from their imprisonment:

Obierika thinks his friend has been badly mistreated and must eat to regain his strength.

After Okonkwo hangs himself:

Obierika thinks that the white men drove Okonwko to kill himself. Obierika is besides himself with grief.