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Christianity at the turn of the century. It is the story of a «strong» man whose life is dominated by fear and
anger. Okonkwo is constantly afraid that he, or his son Nwoya, will be like his father Unoka, who had been a
lazy, ineffectual man. To prove his strength he kills his adopted son at the bidding of the priestess and the
elders. His own son is grief-stricken at the manner of his beloved brother's death and later becomes a Christian.
Okonkwo sees this as the fulfilment of his worst fears.)
Text A:
«Okonkwo was popularly called the «Roaring Flame». As he looked into the log fire he
recalled the name. He was a flaming fire. How-then could he have begotten a son like Nwoya,
degenerate and effeminate? Perhaps he was not his son. No! He could not be. His wife had
played him false. He would teach her! But Nwoya resembled his grandfather Unoka, who was
Okonkwo's father. He pushed the thought out of his mind. He, Okonkwo, was called a
flaming fire. How could he have begotten a woman for a son? At Nwoya's age Okonkwo had
already become famous throughout Umuofia for his wrestling and his fearlessness. He sighed
heavily, and as if in sympathy the smoldering log also sighed. And immediately Okonkwo's
eyes were opened and he saw the whole matter clearly. Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.
He sighed again, deeply.»
* From : Literary Terms: Definitions, Explanations, Examples — by Raymond W. Barry and A.J. Wright
Exercise :
1. What is the complex phenomenon that Okonkwo is trying to explain to himself by means of a concrete
analogy?
2. What are the terms of the analogy (i.e., what are the points of similarity that Okonkwo sees between the
abstract and the concrete phenomena?)
3. What significant differences can you think of between the two terms of Okonkwo's analogy (differences
which he overlooks)?
Text
B: From: No Longer At Ease by Chinua Achebe) (Obi, educated in Europe, wants to marry a girl from
his tribe whose family belongs to a sacred caste. Such a marriage is forbidden by their tradition [it is taboo]. His
old father Nwoya cannot let him go against their ancestral tradition, even though he is a Christian.)
«There was a long silence. The lamp was now burning too brightly. Obi's father turned down
the wick a little and then resumed his silence. After what seemed ages he said: I know Josiah
Okeke very well». He was looking steadily in front of him. His voice sounded tired. «I know
him and I know his wife. He is a good man and a great Christian. But he is osu {taboo}.
Naaman, Captain of the host of Syria, was a great man and honorable, he was also a mighty
man of valour, but he was a leper.» He paused so that this great and felicitous analogy might
sink in with all its heavy and dreadful weight. Osu is like leprosy in the minds of our people. I
beg of you, my son, not to bring the mark of shame and of leprosy into your family. If you do,
your children and your children's children unto the third and fourth generations will curse
your memory. It is not for myself.
I speak: my days are few. You will bring sorrow on your head and on the heads of your
children. Who will marry your daughters? Whose daughters will your sons marry? Think of
that, my son.»
Exercise:
1. What are the terms of the comparison here (i.e. which abstract concept is being compared with what
physical phenomenon)?
2. What difference between the terms being compared will Obi have to overlook if he is to accept the
validity of the analogy that his father sets up?
3. a. What are the advantages of using analogy instead of rational analysis as a means of explaining and
understanding a complex abstract phenomenon?
b. What are the dangers inherent in relying upon analogy as a method of explanation and/or understanding?