PH2

Eugene is so controlling, and it's really starting to bother me. His children are like dogmatic followers and I want to know why. I understand he does not want them to be near "ungodly" or "heathen" things/cultures, but his demands are so extreme and ridiculous. Kambili is called a snob because she is not allowed to be late on her way home, or despite having a TV she is not allowed to watch because he father did not put it in her schedule. And yet she practically worships him. She is hungry for his approval (which he never seems to truly give) and it's just a very unhealthy relationship, only exacerbated by her brother's evident awareness of the extremism of their father.

PH 1

I think that the father is interesting, especially when compared with Okonkwo, the other African father figure of these two African literature. Papa/Eugene is literally the opposite. And yet, he seems similar in how extreme he is. He only wants/expects the best, and is nearly as for the colonization as Okonkwo was against it (I also dislike him as much as I did Okonkwo, but that's my opinion). I also thought the rebellious son that each had was an interesting similarity. I should like to see if these parallels continue, and if so, how Papa/Eugene handles his adversities.

TFA part 2 response

I think that Nwoye's interest in the missionaries was expected. He keeps this interest secret (again, fear of father shining through, even though a few years have passed) but considering how he liked the more religious/mythological stories of his mother and how the death of Ikemefuna still affects him. The contempt between him and his father is still obvious and I think that is another driving factor in his interest in and following of the missionaries.
I think it was expected for there to be some falling out between Okonkwo and Nwoye, but I think it's interesting that Achebe had it be because of the missionaries, which is an extreme betrayal to Okonkwo.