Significance of an Author

The personal history of an author can have a significant influence on the way meaning is constructed in his/her writing. Comment on specific instances of such influence in Things Fall Apart.

With reference to things fall apart, the personal history of Chinua Achebe can have a significant influence on the way meaning is constructed in his writing such as how the author depicts and maintains a cultural African voice, expressing the realities of the society he illustrates and the importance of the historical values and context. This is all because the biography of an author is a fundamental in which the author expresses these realities through personal experiences or accounts.

Topic sentence 1: “Achebe maintains a cultural voice, however still chooses to express both sides from the Igbo community as well as missionaries, which on account is provided by Achebe’s religious background. “

-This paragraph could discuss Rev Smith and Mr.Brown and the way Achebe utilizes these characters.

Topic sentence 2: “Secondly, the society of the Igbo community is dependent on the authors background in the social context of which he grew up in, as it depicts a sensible and realistic view and narrative.”

-This paragraph discusses how the community is authentic and Igbo proverbs are utilized.

Topic sentence 3: “Lastly, the personal history of an author can influence a piece of writing is because of the social and historical values that Achebe grew up with, such as the missionaries.”
-This example could be used for the missionaries invading and the change of religion. Achebe personally looks in to religious concepts to convey the theme of the story.

Gender in Things fall Apart

With reference to Things Fall Apart, discuss how an understanding of gender influences how the text may be understood. 

Thesis statement: With reference to Things Fall Apart, an understanding of gender influences the text within the novel through the appreciation and further understanding of the Igbo culture as their culture evolves around structures gender expectations. This is illustrated through the portrayal of their social status, and characterisation of abilities which helps as a literary device to develop the plot and characters through the course of the novel and evidently influences our critical analysis of Igbo cultural practices. 

Topic sentence: “The igbo community established gender roles and expectations through society, which provides an insight into their lifestyle.”

-This paragraph discusses about: Boundaries between woman and man (Yams are a king crop, Ezima cannot carry the chair to the wrestling match etc..)

-It will be largely emphasised on how women are respected within the society.

Topic Sentence 2: “The role of woman significantly develop and expose other characters such as Okonkwo, and Nwoye which illustrates how women are utilised in family relationships."

-This paragraph discusses how women, specifically Okonkwo’s wife are literary characters and that help develop other characters.

Okonkwo’s harmartia- Ikemefuna’s death, and Nwoye’s feminine interests.

The aim is to express how our understanding of how gender influences our understanding of character relationships.

Topic Sentence 3: “Lastly, the role of women is a recurring theme throughout the book which evidently influences our critical thinking of the Igbo communities cultural practices.”

This paragraph highlights the intended audience of the novel as it is for a western audience however still maintains a cultural voice For ex.-The role of wives within a family – The exile to his Motherland –Mother of the spirits etc..

These events/characters influence out perception because we are a western audience.