Review of Notebook, Quarter 1

To be honest I feel like I have not been quite up to par with my previous quarters of writing, particularly with regards to the notebook, this year in English. It is not however, for lack of trying.

I have felt almost out of my element in these recent class discussions, and am loving it. I've spent so much time on the idea of Shakespearean tragic heroes, with distinct differences from our Greek ones. Though frankly I prefer the darker, arguably more telling of human nature 17th century version, our study of the tragic hero has made me quite an intrigued pupil. I haven't felt like I am contributing much to the class discussion, however. Blocking off both anything from my reaction and preconditioned connections, as well as anything pertaining you the author's intent, I feel limited in my ability to discuss literature. I'm learning, though.

I hate taking notes, it detracts from my ability to focus on class discussion, and its products will never properly resurrect the information I lost due to such distraction. I have not taken good notes. I feel like if I was to respond to the material outside of class on my own time I would be able to focus more effort, be more thorough. Though I have worked to satisfy all of our classroom entries, and indeed am proud of some of these, I feel like I could do better. I greatly enjoy writing, not so much note taking. I would certainly say that the entires have helped me really establish and build my thoughts on the works and subjects we discuss.

The occasional blog entries this quarter have all been thought out, though still, I hold my writing to high standards, I am never satisfied. I feel like as we move into this poetry unit My old knowledge is leading into my new learnings about these sonnets quite nicely, and my writings about each poem reflect appropriately.

I'll probably talk to you about notes and entries soon. I'd like to improve upon myself, as always.

On the Religion of Things Fall Apart

While our studies on Okonkwo focuses primarily on his development and fall as a Greek tragic hero, I was greatly distracted from this reading the book because i was intrigued to see the customs of a modern pagan tradition. I haven't been satisfied with much of my writing this quarter, and so I would like to add an entry on what has truly been rolling through my mind.

Observing the natural development of human civilization, one will note that religion adapts and gains complexity as needed for the society. Nomadic hunter-gatherer cultures tended to have shamanic systems, recognizing that the spirits of each land differed, with holy people who could reach out through ancient wisdom and commune with the web of life to aid in hunts, healing, and tribal decisions. As people settled down, the Penates (household gods) of each people settled down, and became a defining characteristic of its society, holding traditions and ties to ancestors.

This is where we see the peoples of Nigeria. There are later phases, where a religion believing itself to be one and true is needed for empire, and still after when diversity of the religion sustains democratic ideal. Neither are present for our discussion.

Now I am not certain the author has bent the religion much to serve his purposes, this would require rather obscure research to determine exactly what changes might have been made. Despite this, Achebe manages to integrate it well into the plot of his story. The use of the oracle since classic times as either a plot instigator or point of controversy. Oedipus itself, for example, a key integration of the divine through prophecy and the will of the gods without any actual deus ex machina.

Take for example the Oracle's prophecy of the death of Ikemefuna, or the ogbanje. While neither of these things are particularly key to the plot, or even the circumstances around them (Killing Ikemefuna without believing to some degree it was because the oracle said he should would not be much of a step from Okonkwo's current state of mind, and has the same effect on his development). However, they both add to the complexity and gravity of the situation to the characters.

Okonkwo's loyalty to his clan's ancestors and gods is reminiscent of Roman Pietas. His resistance to the Christian barbarians is noble, and commendable. In a way it increases pity brought on him towards the end, furthering his tragic nature.

I'm particularly fascinated by the custom of the egwugqu, as real world ritual met with the supernatural so realistically, so significantly, to the people of Umofia. Such sacred a communion I do not feel we have a like in our society. The desecration of one of these masked spirits was the beginning of the end for the religion of the tribe, and thus Okonkwo. This sacred tradition is key, therefore, to the plot of the story, though not per se, merely the interruption of a sacred tradition in general.