Monday, March 3, 2008
Male and Female Crimes
At the end of chapter 13, the readers become aware of what female and male crimes are in the clan. It is stated, "Okonkwo had committed the female, because it had been inadvertent. He could return to the clan after seven years" (Achebe 124). This leaves the reader to assume that a male crime is more serious and most likely permanent exclusion from the clan. The clan's use of the terms "male" and "female" can possibly be linked to positions in society. Males are seen as the superiors and dominating gender in the tribe. Okonkwo was a very strong and respectable figure in Umoufia. Women must be submissive and stick to their place in the home, just as Okonkwo's many wives did and followed all the rules strictly. Do you agree that committing a crime accidentally, known as the "female", can be linked to the clan's belief that women are not as important as males?
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The murder that Okonkwo exibited was considered female because it did not demonstrate bravery or power, it was simply an accident. Since Okonkwo did not attack the boy or kill the son due to strength or manliness, the crime was considered womanly. I agree that committing a crime unintentionally should not have the same punishment as an intentional one. I also recognize the connection between the nature of accidents and how they could be considered of woman characteristics. As Charmander stated, women are to be submissive and follow the rules of the clan strictly. Therefore, a woman would never intentionally shoot a young boy. In regards to this female crime and its connection to women being less important males I agree it is there, for punishments are not the same for women and men in the Umoufia tribe. It is as if the actions each member takes in the tribe is what gives them a label as a female or male.
I agree that males are viewed as dominent in the Umoufia society in both laws and in life. A female crime is one that is less severe than a male crime, just as females are viewed as less important than males. These parallels can be seen in many cases in the book. One example is that males have numerous wives, which they can treat however they want. Okwonkwo himself has three wives, which leads one to believe that they are viewed as pieces of property rather than loved ones. Their only job in the household is to cook and make babies, they are not asked to make major decisions with the husband. One specific instance of the females being viewed as property is when Okwonkwo's second wife, Ekwefi, trims leaves off the banana tree, and he beats her for it. Afterwards she makes a comment about his lack of ability of hunting he shoots at her. This clearly shows that he did not value her life and he saw her as disposable, just like a lamp or a chair. Afterwards Ekwefi and Chielo were talking at the New Yam Festival and in passing Chielo asks, "Is it true that Okwonkwo nearly killed you with his gun?" (Achebe 48) and Ekwefi responds, "It is true indeed, my friend. I cannot yet find a mouth with which to tell the story." (Achebe 48) This is another example of the subordination of women because she cannot even speak freely about the matter to anyone for fear of her life. It is terrible indeed that these things happened to the women.
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