Othello and Things Fall Apart free essay sample

The use of gender and power in both, ‘Othello’ and ‘Things Fall Apart’ is very significant. In Othello men have more personal freedom and women are judged by them in relation to them, where as in Things Fall Apart, women do not have any power in the society since a man is considered wealthy if a man has three wives which the protagonist of things fall apart, Okonkwo did. In Othello, the relationship between Iago and Emilia is an example of power in gender roles as they were prescribed in Renascence society which, ultimately destroys Emilia; the feminine persona. The definition of women as subservient to men is exemplified in their behavior towards each other. Emilia, hardened to cynicism about male female relationships by years of marriage, has the view that women are food for men who are all stomachs and belch women when full. Iago continually describes women as whores by which he means only well for supplying the desires of men, in this case, the handkerchief. We will write a custom essay sample on Othello and Things Fall Apart or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In contrast to Things Fall Apart, much of the traditional Ibo life presented in this novel revolves around structured gender roles. Essentially all of Ibo life is gendered, from the crops that men and women grow, to characterization of crimes. In Ibo culture, women are the weaker gender, but are also endowed with qualities that make them worthy of worship, like the ability to bear children. The dominant role for women is: first, to make a pure bride for an honorable man, second, to be a submissive wife, and third, to bear many children. The ideal man provides for his family materially and has prowess on the battlefield. Another example in Othello where the use of power and gender an be seen is when Cassio is exempt from his job he is told to ask Desdemona for help, to approach her and talk to her about it and that she could help him get back on some job. Desdemona approaches Othello about it and he says that he would think about it which shows that Desdemona, a woman could quench her needs. On the other hand in Things Fall Apart there is scene where Okonkwo’s daughter, Ezinma falls ill and a woman preacher is asked for help and she is depicted as an empowered woman. In Othello there is another example of power and status, which is where Bianca’s vulnerable status as ‘strumpet’ reminds us of double standard. It is socially acceptable for Cassio to consort with a courtesan, but it is presumptuous for Bianca to expect him to marry her. Men toy with and discard women as they choose. And according to Othello there are two types of women, which are chaste women and whores. If Desdemona is not one, then she must be the other. If she is a whore, she must be punished. For men in the Ibo society from Things Fall Apart reputation is very important. Reputation is based on men gaining reputation through bravery in battle, skill at wrestling, and hard work as seen through the size of their yam harvest. Reputation earns men position of power and influence in the society as well as numerous wives. The spirit that drives Okonkwo is his father, since he was a failure.