"If you only hear one side of the story, you have no understanding at all," (Chinua Achebe, The Atlantic Online, Aug 2, 2000).
Achebe wrote this novel because he was tired of reading novels about Africa written only from a Western perspective. These books often portrayed African cultures as stupid and homogeneous, and he wanted to show that these cultures (though flawed) had an organized government with a rich way of life. Until this novel, people only read about one side of the story. Things Fall Apart changed that. With that in mind, what does the quote above mean and where have you seen this idea illustrated in your own life?
Nathaniel Haan
1/22/2024 01:29:56 pm
That quote to me means that the only way to truly understand something that has occurred. Especially it means someone can not make an argument or take a side based on an even they only know one side of. This has been illustrated with things like arguments in my life with people not hearing my side or me not listening to other people's side of a story. This to me though is a very important thing to have and know because there are so many people who become biased or say things when they do not really know the whole situation.
Fernando
1/22/2024 03:09:39 pm
The quote means that their isn't only one side to every story. Just hearing what side isn't going to be correct you can listen to one side and it can all be fake. You have to listen to every side and listen to the details that are the same. That's how you get the real story. This has happened many times in school. I was always a troubled kid and wasn't really trusted so my side of the story isn't really listened to they always choose the kid that is the most trusted. No matter if they are there or not. Also with family this has happened being the oldest sibling I get blamed for a lot of things and sometimes I never get heard from and just have to take all of the blame.
Hayden Ferris
1/22/2024 03:31:47 pm
I feel like this quote is referring to when people say things and they cold be bad or good even if they have not heard the other side of the story. I feel like I see this the most in my life is when I accuse Lilli or Adi of doing something that I really don't even know 100% if they really did it or not. Now that I'm older I am getting better at not doing that but I still here and there blame things on them even if I don't know if they did it or not.
Peter Caldwell
1/23/2024 05:37:15 pm
I think I agree with everyone who has already responded in that you need to hear both sides of the story because one side could be biased and/or lying. It is also always better and more clear if you can see something in several perspectives. A perspective can help you see things that you didn't before sometimes super important things. For example you aren't going to see the robber if you can only look strait down. Also people lie, its in our nature because everyone wants to be right, and will edit certain things about a story. So its better to hear both and see where they differ.
Abraham Walters
1/24/2024 03:44:59 pm
I like this quote and think it is truthful, and what it means to me is that you have to get the inside of a story to get a full view of that culture and perspective. I have seen this in my life in a few ways. The way that I think is a good example is assuming that there are always big giant waves at the beach, Before seeing the beach, I had a preconception that needed validation from someone who had been there before.
Elijah Trostel
1/24/2024 05:01:12 pm
The quote means that if you only hear half of an argument before making a decision, then you will end up not having a complete and accurate understanding of the true situation. You will only have a biased view that leans towards one side. This means that your final decision will be obscured by bias and usually be unjust. A time that this truly resonates with me is when a teacher makes a decision only because of what they saw or think and don't care about the student's defense of themselves. I really hate this because it is arrogant and stupid.
William Legg-Fritts
1/24/2024 08:49:29 pm
I partly agree with the quote, because it is true to some extent. you can fully understand something just by paying close attention to it. but on the other hand, there are lies that are so perfect that no one can tell that they aren't true. Comments are closed.
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Non-Western LiteratureGuidelinesThe whole purpose of this assignment - whether you're reacting to an idea, sharing your own story, or analyzing the reading - is to discuss the ultimate issues of life. With that in mind, make sure that you: Archives
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