Cont... King Leopold's Ghost

King Leopold's Ghost was, indeed, a huge wake up call. The majority of the novel covered everything but nothing, and it read more like a text book then an actual novel. But the context and the detail covering the suffering of the African people made me want to cry. King Leopold was a lying, power-driven, daranged and evil white man who used his cuning ways and authority to fool the rest of the world. I could not get into the story; I felt some what ashamed that I, as well as all of my classmates, wer completely oblivious to the extent of the poor Africans massacre. There was one Character that I enjoyed reading up on, George Washington Williams. I thought he was a bit of a jerk, but I respected his passages reagarding the Congo and Leopold's order there. I was angry his pamplet discussing Leopold's lies and death didn't get the response it deserved.

There is a part in Chapter nineteen that pretty much sums up the whole story of the Congo for me:

"And yet the world we live in-its divisions and conflicts, its widening gap between rich and poor, its seemingly inexplicable outbursts of violence-is shaped far less by what we clelebrate and mythologize than by the painful events we try to forget. Leopold's Congo is but one of those silences of history."

King Leopold's Ghost..

I must say, the first six chapters of the story posed any interest for me. I feel that the novel, over the course of the story, would get better, for the first few chapters are just laying out the past of the story. I am excited for the reading still; I think that Stanley's character is quite overbearing. I see his passion, but I don't understand his logic. He lies to fit in, most of his life is a life according to others. I think Leopold's character is interesting as well. I think that his constant hunger for power has a lot to do with the absence of his father. I think that the next chapters are going to be more brutal; The existence of the Congo River is based mainly on fabrication. It appeared to be something other than what the Association claimed. All for Leopold's dominance of the land.

Africans In the Belgian Congo.

The Belgian Congo, also known as Zaire, which is located in Central Africa, virtually converted all through Africa because the country is part of the Congo river. In the 1800's, a Belgium leader, Leopold II forced successful treaties through Congo and took over the land under his own accord. He had rule over the Congolese and they suffered as slaves until the Belgium Government took over his rule. King Leopold ll, during his reign killed millions of Congolese slaves.

Digging in further.... Things Fall Apart.

The novel, Things Fall Apart carries a lot of symbolism. There were many sub stories in the reading that made me feel the villagers thought with more logic than assumed. Like many countries, they had ways and systems for problem solving, and in some cases, their roles for gender is, still, much like ours.

For the story, we were assigned to specific characters in the novel to represent for activities. I was assigned Ashy Buttocks. I would say his character in the story fit his name quite well. He was a meager speck in the introduction and spread of Christianity. This picture, an African man dressed in formal wear with a white mask over his face reminds me especially of my character, Ashy Buttocks.

This is an image of walking staffs.This image reminds me of the authority and power their many gods have over their decisions for harvest, marriage, children, and health. As you can see, the staffs are carved which to me, is used to identify a specific person or "being". An example would be the priestess or the Oracle. Because they are considered higher persons in the Umuofia, they would probably be the ones carrying the most elaborate staffs during ceremonies.

My next image are kola nuts. In the novel, breaking a kola nut was as act of peace and friendship. That was a way to show respect and love for your brother. I believe we take part similar notions now. In my family, a gesture of peace and friendship can sometimes be physical contact such as a hug, kiss, or a touch on the shoulder.

Egypt!!!!

The story of Egypt carries over for nearly 3,000 years! Ancient Egyptian history revolves around rituals, religions, political and social stability. According to Carnegie Museum of Natural History, "Egyptians saw no positive value in cultural change, except at the technological level, and they went to great lengths to prevent disruption in their society."

Things Fall Apart..

Things Fall Apart describes specifically one mans struggle with change and diversity and example of manhood and grace. Okonkwo, the village's warrier, was greatly respected and loved for this dominance, violence, success and intolerance for laziness. Most of his anger originates from his fathers incompetence and lack of motivation. He lives to hate everything his father loves; Okonkwo's three wives and children suffer from it the most. He felt showing love and sincerity was a sign of weakness; their fear allowed him to keep the upper hand. When Okonkwo was forced out of his hut and out of power, he yearned to get it back. This yearning was so strong it forced him to suicide. During his suspension from his village, Umuofia, great change took place. Christianity spread through the villages and eventually became apart of the community of villagers. The great change in his village drove Okonkwo mad, causing him to make decisions without the word of his people.
The title "Things Fall Apart" fits the storyline perfectly. Its a dynamic story based on the rise and fall of one man and village. There are descriptive tales on how change effected Okonkwo, while still describing the effect it had Umuofia and the other nine villages.
I think the novel was an excellent read. It covered the emergence of order in religion; how different traditions slowly melts together forming another. Although the villagers tried to keep there religious purity, many were open and submissive to Christianity which caused wars and chaos among the community. The same war and chaos that Umuofia experience is the same war and chaos the Natives experience, as well as the French. I think it was cool to read the effects of a common issue in different countries. So, right on Chinua Achebe.

Eye...

I am a secondary education English major at Western Michigan University. I am the only child, and my friends say my mom looks younger than me. I am the tallest girl in my family, and my favorite color is orange. I am from Chicago and I love eating hot chips and cream cheese. I am the friend who feels for every problem, shopping is the cure. I am aggressive, which can be a bit creepy. I am the friend who can't bake but will try because it's your birthday. I love going to Walmart after 2 a.m so I can sit in one of those handicapped motor chairs and move around the store. I knit on my free time, but I can't knit at all. I think socks are stupid and night lights make me happy. I enjoy conversing with complete strangers and going to subway every pay day for a bacon chicken ranch wrap and two cookies.

SOME OTHER MATTER OF FACTS:

• I love to travel!!

• It wasn't until I came to college when I discovered my fear of butterflies.


• I love to dance... Even when I'm alone.


• When I was younger, I had 4 invisible friends.

• My mom used to eat soap when she was pregnant with me; when I was born, I had suds and soap bits on my head.


• Capt'n Crunch is by far the most awesome cereal in the WORLD.