When the British came to Ibo land, for instance, at the beginning of the 20th century, and defeated the men in pitched battles in different places, and set up their administrations, the men surrendered. And it was the women who led the first revolt.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the resilience of women in the face of oppression during colonial rule.
Chinua Achebe emphasizes the critical role that women played in resisting British colonial rule in Ibo land during the early 20th century, underlining how, after the men surrendered, it was the women who took the initiative to lead the first revolt. This illustrates not only the strength and courage of women but also challenges the narrative that often marginalizes their contributions in historical movements.
In practice
This quote can be used during a Women's History Month event to highlight women's roles in social movements.
In fact, I thought that Christianity was very a good and a very valuable thing for us. But after a while, I began to feel that the story that I was told about this religion wasn't perhaps completely whole, that something was left out.
Writers don't give prescriptions. They give headaches!
Mr. Brown had thought of nothing but numbers. He should have known that the kingdom of God did not depend on large crowds. Our Lord Himself stressed the importance of fewness. Narrow is the way and few the number. To fill the Lord's holy temple with an idolatrous crowd clamoring for signs was a folly of everlasting consequence. Our Lord used the whip only once in His life - to drive the crowd away from His church.
It is the storyteller who makes us what we are, who creates history. The storyteller creates the memory that the survivors must have - otherwise their surviving would have no meaning.
Writing has always been a serious business for me. I felt it was a moral obligation. A major concern of the time was the absence of the African voice. Being part of that dialogue meant not only sitting at the table but effectively telling the African story from an African perspective - in full earshot of the world.
An angry man is always a stupid man.
I have no fear, for fear is the little death that kills me over and over. Without fear, I die but once.
I went to Iraq in 2004 because I believe in doing my duty, not because I agreed with the war.
Wait a while; there will come to you mounts, carrying lions in shining armor, battalions followed by battalions.
I don't play for job security.
I would rather die than do something which I know to be a sin, or to be against God's will.
Turn on the faucet. Wash yourself with the emotion. It won’t hurt you. It will only help. If you let the fear inside, if you pull it on like a familiar shirt, then you can say to yourself, “All right, it’s just fear, I don’t have to let it control me. I see it for what it is".
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