The Bean Tree, Taylor
Things Fall Apart,
Okonkwo
Ogidi, Nigeria
In Ogidi, a large village in Nigeria there was a boy named Okonkwo, he is the son of effeminate and lazy Unoka. Okonkwo hates everything his father believes in. Okonkwo adopts other beliefs and disregards all of his father’s advice. Okonkwo also has a son named, Nwoye. He is a twelve year old boy who is also lazy, just like Okonkwo’s father. Nwoye was suppose to follow in Okonkwo foot steps, and become the leader of the tribe, but since he was so lazy he spent his whole entire day with his friends. Okonkwo was very disappointed with his son, he thought his son would be a good leader but he didn’t even want to take the same path as his father. Okonkwo has a friend named Taylor, she is gusty and practical. She does not like her hometown so when Okonkwo invites Taylor to Nigeria she is eager to go to his village.
Taylor takes a long nineteen hour flight to Ogidi, Okonkwo’s village. There is not a lot to do in Okonkwo’s village, he works all day long, and Taylor doesn’t want to work. So they go down to the river to see the fishermen, catch all the fish. Taylor thought this was extremely boring, so they went back to Okonkwo’s house. Taylor asked to meet Okonkwo’s son, Nwoye. At first Okonkwo doesn’t really want Taylor to meet his son, but then after Taylor asked enough times Okonkwo finally said yes. Okonkwo had a little crush on Taylor but he kept it a secret. So Okonkwo and Taylor walked back down to the river to find Nwoye. He was down at the river playing in the water with his friends.
“Nwoye come out of the water now, I want you to meet someone.” Okonkwo said to his son.
Taylor was introduced to Nwoye, and they liked each other from the start. Taylor was acting like Nwoye’s mother and he really liked it. Okonkwo invited Taylor to eat dinner at their house, she was delighted to.
“What are we having for dinner” asked Taylor.
“Fish, of course” said Nwoye.
They all laughed, because all they ever eat is fish. So Taylor decided she would cook the dinner so Okonkwo and Nwoye could have some father, and son alone time. Taylor made the fish her own way; she added many spices into the fish. Okonkwo and Nwoye were a little nervous to try the fish because they have only had it the way that Okonkwo cooks it. They both tried and it and they both loved the fish.
“You have to tell me what spices you added to that fish it was spectacular” said Okonkwo
Taylor laughed and said “of course I’ll tell you what spices I put in the fish”
Nwoye was extremely tired so he went to bed, Taylor said goodnight to him and he ran over and gave Taylor a hug and thanked her for the marvelous fish she made. Taylor and Okonkwo talked about, Okonkwo’s tribe and how they need more women in the tribe. Okonkwo thought about his feelings for Taylor and decided that he really liked her.
“Do you want to stay with us and join our tribe” asked Okonkwo
“yes of course I will “ said Taylor
Taylor stayed at Okonkwo’s house for about three months before he finally asked Taylor to marry him. Taylor said yes and became Nwoye’s new step mother. She joined there tribe and became one of them. Taylor has never missed her hometown at all.
