The significance of Gender in Things Fall Apart

With reference to Things Fall Apart, discuss how an understanding of gender influences how the text may be understood.

Thesis statement: 

With reference to the novel Things Fall Apart, an good understanding of gender within the Igbo society influences one's appreciation of the text as well as enhance the understanding of different character's thoughts and actions. By having a better understanding of gender within the novel the reader will have a better appreciation of overarching themes, tradition and customs, beliefs and conflict.

Topic sentence 1: The use of gender within Things Fall Apart gives a better understanding of the overarching theme of fear of feminity and failure. It emphasizes the symbolic of feminity and how it influences the internal and external conflict within the novel.

Topic sentence 2: Achebe's representation of gender within his novel reveals the customs and tradition of the Igbo society, thus giving the reader a better understanding and appreciation of the cultural context of the Igbo.

Topic sentence 3: Beliefs within the novel have an important significance within the novel. With the Igbo beliefs comes the understanding of gender, and how different gender representations within their belief system influences the ethic and thinking of the Igbo people.