Fate and Free Will in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart...

Fate and Free Will in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart The tragic story of Okonkwo in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart offers many examples of Igbo beliefs regarding free will and fate. Religious life for the Igbo was thoroughly intertwined with secular life. According to the text, the Igbo believed in fate; that nothing happened by chance as every happenstance was the result of Chukwu or Gods will. Yet the Igbo also believed that ancestors, lesser gods, and their own chi or personal god also influenced the lives of the living. Thus, if an individual lived in harmony with his ancestors, lesser gods and ultimately Chukwu, that individual would be blessed with good fortune, health and an abundance of children. If,†¦show more content†¦What part of their decimation was the result of spiritual and secular disharmony among the Igbo, and what part was the result of fate? Okonkwos own struggle with free will and fate may symbolize this question. Okonkwo is initially introduced as a proud, hardworking, successful warrior. He is described as clearly cut out for great things (6). But he is the son of a neer-do-well father; though genial and inoffensive, Unoka must certainly have been considered a failure. He is lazy and does not provide for his family. Not only is this disgraceful, but life-threatening as well. He is dependent on other members of the clan and must have been considered unsuccessful. Okonkwo chafes under such disgrace and his success is a consequence of his desire to be everything his father is not; societys vision of an exemplar citizen. The fact that Okonkwo is able to rise above his poverty and disgraceful paternity illustrates the Igbos acceptance of individual free will. But Okonkwos fate and his disharmony with his chi, family and clan are shown to cause his ultimate disgrace and death. Okonkwos early success is recognized as the result of hard work, That was not luck. At the most one could say that his chi or personal god was good (19). But Okonkwo goes too far. He is harsh and unkind to his family and less successful clansmen, thus undermining his self-made fortune.Show MoreRelated Existentialism in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay1635 Words   |  7 PagesExistentialism in Things Fall Apart      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Chinua Achebe presents his audience with an interesting twist to a contemporary school of thought in his work Things Fall Apart.   This post-colonization narrative incorporates several traits that revolt against normative philosophic systems and tralititious theories and beliefs of the existence of man and his place in the universe.   Achebes efforts are characterized by a small diverse group of writers that purge realizations of predestinationRead More Okonkwos Tragic Flaws in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay3094 Words   |  13 Pagesironically leads to their personal misfortune. 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Spread of Islam via Sokoto Caliphate - 608 Words

According to Sakkwatanci: A Caliphate is defined as an Islamic State governed by a Caliph or Sultan; where the Caliph exercises both political and religious powers as the states supreme head, he holds the title of AMIR AL-mumin (Commander of the Faithful) and in Hausa, SARKIN MUSULMI. Islam of itself follows the teachings of Muhammad, the prophet as he was both the religious head and political leader of the faithful. Currently known to the world today as Northern Nigeria the Sokoto Caliphate followed the Sufi traditions an Islamic sect—incorporating a very different method of prorogating the religion of the faithful and was successful for the greater part of the nineteenth century. Not since the first jihads during the time of Muhammad when the city of Medina sought an income by raiding the caravans of the Meccans had the jihad made such an impact on the growth of Islam. A jihad declared by Usman dan Fodio and initially directed by his kinsmen, Sokoto in Nigeria had such an ef fect in the spread of Muslim influence in Sub-Sahara Africa; whereas in the prior centuries Islam was proliferated without as much blood shed in the most northern reaches of the Sahara. Usman dan Fodio, a son of a Fulani teacher having studied with variety of shaykhs or teachers in the Arabic introduced a new system of ruling in what -became the Sokoto Caliphate—in direct rule. A novel idea having lasted until the British conquest and subsequent occupation in the early years of the twentieth century

Nutrition for kids Guidelines for a healthy diet free essay sample

Nutrition for kids is based on the same principles as nutrition for adults. Everyone needs the same types of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Children, however, need different amounts of specific nutrients at different ages.Consider these nutrient-dense foods:Protein. Choose seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.Fruits. Encourage the child to eat a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried fruits rather than fruit juice. If child drinks juice, make sure its 100 percent juice without added sugars and limit his or her servings. Look for canned fruit that says its light or packed in its own juice, meaning its low in added sugar. Keep in mind that one-quarter cup of dried fruit counts as one cup-equivalent of fruit. When consumed in excess, dried fruits can contribute extra calories.Vegetables. Serve a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried vegetables. We will write a custom essay sample on Nutrition for kids: Guidelines for a healthy diet or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Aim to provide a variety of vegetables, including dark green, red and orange, beans and peas, starchy and others, each week. When selecting canned or frozen vegetables, look for options lower in sodium. Grains. Choose whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, popcorn, brown or wild rice. Limit refined grains such as white bread, pasta, and rice.Dairy. Encourage your child to eat and drink fat-free or low-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese or fortified soy beverages.0-12 months: Infants up to the age to six months are exclusively breastfed. As baby grows, gradually introduce baby to a wide range of new tastes and textures so that, by the age of one year, the baby is enjoying a varied and healthy diet. Average Energy Requirements (calories/kcals) of children aged 1 to 5:Age Male (kcal) Female (kcal)1 765 7172 1004 9323 1171 10764 1386 12915 1482 1362Toddlers (1-3): The period Between 1 and 3 years old, toddlers develop in fascinating, exciting and surprising ways. Physically, socially, emotionally and verbally, they are becoming more independent and able to express their budding personality. A healthy, balanced diet is necessary to provide a toddler with the right balance of nutrients they need for optimal development. Two vital vitamins for this stage are iron and vitamin D.Pre-School Children (3-5): Children growth and development is rapid. A child can play with a group of friends, using their imagination to play games. They’re capable of making decisions. Their daily energy and nutrient requirements are high.Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI):AGE IRON RNI (mg) CALCIUM RNI (mg) VITAMINS RNI (ug) SALT(g) SODIUM(g)1-3 6.9 350 400 2 0.83-5 6.1 450 400 3 1.2

Pharaoh by Jackie French free essay sample

Although he was no longer Prince, Narmer always thought like one when it came to Thinis. â€Å"He suddenly imagined what Thinis could do with canals like these, to take water from the river into the drylands, beyond the reach of the flood. †(Pg 157) Secondly, Narmer showed leadership skills when he arrived back to Thinis from Sumer. Narmer was so shocked to see his town destroyed and took command and lead an army to help Thinis attack Yebu. â€Å"The Golden One has saved us! He moved the River! Even the River obeys the Golden One! † (Pg 232) When Narmer was attacked by the crocodile, he forfeits his position as heir because the King asked him and Narmer couldn’t lead an army. Narmer was a threat to Hawk because people would always see Narmer as King only if he was around. Thinis needed a King that people could trust so if Narmer tells anyone about Hawk they won’t believe him. We will write a custom essay sample on Pharaoh by Jackie French or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Narmer kept quiet about this. â€Å"Thinis needs to trust its King. So I will be loyal. † (Pg 67) Throughout the story, Narmer also showed courage. Narmer shows courage when he convinces the Trader to help the Queen of Punt. â€Å"Who do you think would take a risk like that? No one spoke. Then Narmer said, ‘A man who faced an afreet and came away. Who conquered the desert and its storms. Who took a crippled boy and girl and let them live. A man like that would have the courage, I think. ’† (Pg 123) Even though Narmer knows there are risks in helping the Queen, he realises that it is the right thing to do. Next, Narmer takes a risk when he had the courage to face the People of the Sand. If the trade went wrong then they would have been killed but Narmer was very heroic while he was making his trade. â€Å"Narmer held up his hand. Then slowly, very slowly, he lifted up his kilt. His scars glared red and purple in the desert light. The strangers gasped. How could have anyone survived a wound like this? Narmer lowered his kilt and pointed at the liniment, then at the Trader. † (Pg 92) Lastly, Narmer was very brave and courageous when he was trying to escape from the crocodile. Narmer even had the courage to poke the crocodile with his very own hands. â€Å"This time he lashed out, twisted himself, trying to get his fingers into the beast’s eye. The crocodile seemed lashed out. † (Pg 54) During the novel, Narmer was very loyal to his town and his town’s people. When Narmer spoke to the Oracle, all of the questions were about Thinis. â€Å"That was the first question he’d ask the Oracle tomorrow, he decided: when would the People of the Sand attack? And was there any way to arrange a truce with them, as his father had done by arranging a marriage between Narmer and the Princess of Yebu? † (Pg 10) Narmer put his need to help Thinis before his need to find out about what lay ahead for him. Narmer was loyal to his people as shown by how he treated his men before attacking Yebu. He thinks about others before himself. The men spread out, looking for logs to sit on in the dampness, pulling out their pouches of food. Narmer went from one group to another checking all had enough to eat and a place to sit. † (Pg 218) Finally, Narmer was loyal to the King because he listened to his father’s commands even though he was the Prince. â€Å"Narmer flushed. To be sent to his room, like a child! But he simply nodded. He walked alo ng the colonnades to his room, trying to keep his dignity. And there he stayed. † (Pg 40) Overall, Narmer did portray the qualities of a true King. He showed courage, loyalty and leadership.