The presence of sexism, both individual and institutional, is rampant in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. It is the most constant theme of the story, more intrinsic to the plot than even racism, and certainly more rooted. The dominance of the male gender is evident already in the first pages. The fact that men are allowed to keep multiple wives is the first sign of a sexually biased culture (2860). The book in its entirety gives no idea that women are allowed to be involved in anything other than a monogamous relationship, and there is no reason to assume so. In fact, women are generally treated more like a commodity than a partner. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In the second chapter there is a conflict between the local villages and it is resolved by the weakest village giving a boy and a girl to the strongest. The boy virtually becomes an adopted child and the girl is married off to a member of the tribe. Her wishes are of no importance and her virginity is one of the terms of the resolution, which clarifies what her value is to the Igbo people (2864-2865). Another hint of the devaluation of women's human value is present in a line describing Okonkwo's feelings during the New Yam Festival: “He trembled with the desire to conquer and subdue. It was like a woman's desire” (2878). A later scene shows this dynamic in greater detail: “She was about sixteen and perfect for marriage. Her suitor and relative surveyed her young body with expert eyes as if to assure themselves that she was beautiful and mature” (2890). After this exhibition, he retreats to his mother's hut to help her cook. The mother's admonition illustrates a corporeal parallel for a woman's position in Igbo tradition when she tells her daughter, "You grew ears for decoration, not for hearing" (2891). It is a woman's physical appearance and practical reproductive functionality that gives her value. In general, no knowledge beyond that needed for housework and child-rearing is considered suitable for a woman. But Achebe also exposes us to some female functions that are authoritative, and almost venerated, among the Igbo people. For example, they advocated belief in female deities such as Ani, the earth goddess, who “played a more important role in people's lives than any other deity,” as “the ultimate judge of morality and conduct” (2875). Furthermore, Agbala (the Oracle), who occupies one of the highest positions in the culture, finds correspondence only through women. During the Things Fall Apart story, this woman is a priestess named Chielo (2921). There are some indirect ways in which Achebe implies the inferiority of a woman's status; one is in a brief description of the main Igbo crops. Yams, he writes, are “the king of crops…one man’s crop.” Other crops, such as cassava and beans, were “feminine crops” and a footnote considers them “of low status” (2869). Providing information about Okonkwo's father is even more of a reason for Okonkwo's stern behavior, if we read between the lines. The description of the deceased Unoka informs us that his wife and children lived poorly, and often starved, due to his indiscretion (2861). We get more insight into Igbo culture as Achebe tells us about Okonkwo's notion of his father; associates Unoka with weakness, and weakness is a trait the Igbo associate with femininity. The connection between the two concepts is not only implicit, but entirely literal. The word for woman, agbala, is also the term the Igbo use for.