Women in Achebe's World

In Achebe's (1986) Things Fall Apart, we are treated to the story of the oppression and eventual destruction of the culture and society of the Igbo people from outside forces. However, within the Igbo culture and society we also see that an oppressive force exists. This oppressive force is exhibited by Achebe as the patriarchal structure of Igbo society that more often than not undermines the voice of women. While there are numerous examples of the stifling of women's voices in Things Fall Apart, there is also a voice lent to them via their sex. This voice primarily stems from their role as protectors of children and the domestic sphere.

One cannot read Things Fall Apart without recognizing the oppression of women at the hands of the patriarchy. In a culture where virility belongs to males, even the term "female" or "women" comes to represent a slur. This is evident when Okonkwo tells Osugo, who feels guilty over killing his surrogate son, not to "become like a shivering old woman" (Mezu 1995, 2). The Igbo culture is one that consists of rigidly defined roles for men

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