TFA Chapter 8

During Chapter 8 Okokwo acts as a "shivering old woman" because he is emotionally rattled from his earlier actions. Even though he is acting like a women, Okonkwo continually expresses his desire that Ezinma were a boy instead of a girl. When he visits Obierika he suggests that Ezinma is the only of his children who is "manly" enough for him. This attempt to support masculinity in his children could be something that he wishes his father would have done for him. He later rationalizes that he was so shaken up about Ikemefuna's death because it happened in a very dull time. There was not enough going on in the village to keep Okonkwo's mind off it.

What impact does Okonkwo's desire to have "manly" boys have on his character.
How does Okonkwo's view of the elderly couple's death support his skewed view of what a man should be like?

A Day in the Life of Robert

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. He has to get the vibrating phone before that annoying sounds goes off again. The phone is put on the ground because it’s the only sound that will get Robert up. He groggily turns the alarm off and zombie walks into his shower. He rinses away the tiredness and cleanses his body of the night’s slumber. Robert was smart last night because he pre-packed his bags so he could squeeze that extra five minutes of sleep in the morning. Grabbing a Powerbar and heading out the door, he’s off to school. Rob must fight off the urge to zone out and swerve into the curb. A swift walk is necessary to get to class on time avoiding yet another detention. He slyly sits down into his respected chair and tries to refocus. It is an easy class to glide through and just count down the clock. Now comes the best part of the day; a morning free where a must needed nap in the library can take place. The thirty minutes of rest makes the morning bearable. The rest of the day goes on with the best parts being music and lunch. Robert would be able to tell more about the different parts of the day if it all weren’t just a blur bizzing by his head. Now comes sports; a time where you get to work as a team and enjoy exercise in great Autumn weather. Two hours where Roberts can break away from anything else that is troubling him. Two care-free hours that he gets to release any type of emotion and “leave it all on the field” feeling refreshed and clear-headed. Driving home from the field, music has never sounded so good. The windows have to be down to get every part of the breeze. Pulling into the driveway, a different part of the day is underway. Clothes have to be thrown into the washer, dinner must be ordered or made, and homework is just beginning. It’s not easy for Robert at school. Nightly assignments or readings take up a large majority of his nights. Important games, shows, or even just family dinner must take a back road some nights because the load is just too much. Once all the work is done effective part of the night; a choice is to be made: there’s still some good TV on, go to bed earley, or some internet surfing and chatting to do. It depends on Robert’s mood; both are options every night and there’s not much variety. Eventually, Robert ends up falling asleep with the TV on and waking up to the same day tomorrow.