Things Fall Apart-Chapter 5

Okonkwo feels that anger is the only emotion he should convey in order to maintain his masculinity. Because of this he beats up his wives and sometimes even threatens them. This is shown when he beats his second wife, Ekwefi, when his anger gets the best of him. He beat her up over a small issue regarding who cut the leaves of a banana tree. He used the tree as an “outlet” (38) and as an excuse because he had nothing better to do. He then decided to go hunting, but just before he left he received a remark from Ekwefi. She mentioned about “guns that never shot” (39) which caused Okonkwo to lose his temper. Okonkwo is trying so hard to be different from his father that he will go to any extent to prove his masculinity. Because of this, he avoids his true feelings by being overly aggressive and impatient. Why does Okonkwo act this way? Is he trying to prove something to others or to himself?

One Day in the Life of Brea Simmons

Brea could feel the sunlight on her face and hear the chirping of birds outside of her window. Her mother must have opened the blinds this morning, like she usually does everyday. Like always, the morning sunlight woke her up, and like always her blinds went up Monday thru Friday. Today was Tuesday, or was it a Wednesday? It made no difference to Brea as she got out of bed and walked towards her bathroom. After her shower she pulled on some jeans and a “Save the whales” t-shirt. She decided to go with a pair of comfy black flip flops and her usual diamond stud earrings. She also managed to make her bushy hair look presentable by putting it in a tight bun.
No one will notice me anyways, Brea thought. She gave herself one last look in the mirror and sighed, just another day. As she walked down the stairs, her dog Raisin rushed up to her and started licking her toes. “Stop that Raisin,” laughed Brea as she picked him up. He was the only thing that seemed to make her happy. She looked at the clock, and it read 7:10, she was late for the school bus again. Brea rushed into the kitchen, grabbed her backpack and ran out the kitchen door before her mother could say goodbye. As she ran towards the bus stop, she ran into her best friend and her secret crush Evan.
“Woah, slow down there Bre,” he said as he grabbed her arm. Brea felt a rush of emotions from that one touch, it seemed to tingle all of her senses. They rushed towards the bus stop and managed to reach just before the bus was leaving. Fifteen minutes later they arrived at school and it was time for the first class of the day, Algebra II. Brea really didn’t like math because she just did not seem to get it and because she could not stop staring at the back of Evan’s head who sat in front of her.
Did he get a new haircut or is he just starting to look cuter everyday? thought Brea. After the bell rang, it was time for double period lab in Chemistry, where Brea almost dropped Nitrogen on the counter when Evan brushed her hand. He was in all of her classes, and when Brea found out on the first day of school she thought it must be a sign from God. Maybe they were meant to be together after all.
The bell rang for lunch and Brea and Evan sat down at their usual table in the cafeteria. Evan started going on about politics, school, and then his crush Emerald Peterson. She was the most popular girl in school who everyone envied including Brea. As Brea heard Emerald’s name she sighed and reality set in. Better luck next time, she thought as she smiled at Evan and pretended to hear the rest of the conversation. Before she knew it, school ended and she rushed home to Raisin and her favorite Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream that was waiting patiently for her in the freezer.
“How was your day?” asked Brea’s mother as she was cleaning the kitchen table.
“Fine,” said Brea as she grabbed the ice cream and a spoon and make her way upstairs. She turned on the television and snuggled in her comfy comforter and took a huge bite of ice cream. Just another day, thought Brea as she sighed.