things fall apart essay okonkwo

Things Fall Apart

Chinua achebe, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions, okonkwo quotes in things fall apart.

…[Okonkwo] was not afraid of war. He was a man of action, a man of war. Unlike his father he could stand the look of blood. In Umuofia's latest war he was the first to bring home a human head.

Even as a little boy he had resented his father's failure and weakness, and even now he still remembered how he had suffered when a playmate had told him that his father was agbala . That was how Okonkwo first came to know that agbala was not only another name for a woman, it could also mean a man who had taken no title. And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion – to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved. One of those things was gentleness and another was idleness.

But the Ibo people have a proverb that when a man says yes his chi says yes also. Okonkwo said yes very strongly; so his chi agreed.

Okonkwo did as the priest said. He also took with him a pot of palm-wine. Inwardly, he was repentant. But he was not the man to go about telling his neighbors that he was in error. And so people said he had no respect for the gods of the clan.

Ezinma took the dish in one hand and the empty water bowl in the other and went back to her mother's hut. “She should have been a boy,” Okonkwo said to himself again. His mind went back to Ikemefuna and he shivered.

“The world is large,” said Okonkwo. “I have even heard that in some tribes a man's children belong to his wife and her family.” “That cannot be,” said Machi. “You might as well say that the woman lies on top of the man when they are making the children.”

It was a crime against the earth goddess to kill a clansman, and a man who committed it must flee from the land. The crime was of two kinds, male and female. Okonkwo had committed the female, because it had been inadvertent. He could return to the clan after seven years…

As soon as the day broke, a large crowd of men from Ezeudu's quarter stormed Okonkwo's compound, dressed in garbs of war. They set fire to his houses, demolished his red walls, killed his animals and destroyed his barn. It was the justice of the earth goddess, and they were merely her messengers. They had no hatred in their hearts again Okonkwo. His greatest friend, Obierika, was among them. They were merely cleansing the land which Okonkwo had polluted with the blood of a clansman.

A man could not rise beyond the destiny of his chi . The saying of the elders was not true—that if a man said yea his chi also affirmed. Here was a man whose chi said nay despite his own affirmation.

But there was a young lad who had been captivated. His name was Nwoye, Okonkwo's first son. It was not the mad logic of the Trinity that captivated him…It was the poetry of the new religion, something felt in the marrow. The hymn about brothers who sat in darkness and in fear seemed to answer a vague and persistent question that haunted his young soul – the question of the twins crying in the bush and the question of Ikemefuna who was killed.

Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.

“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has a put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”

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Things Fall Apart

The story of okonkwo: a fine balance of hope and tragedy joshua nobleman.

The South African Igbo tribe of Umuofia, as depicted in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart,” (1958) encompasses layer upon complex layer of social order. From birth to death, every aspect of Umuofian culture is defined by an intricate balance of ritual, which is transmitted through oral tradition. Protaganist Okonkwo, appears to uphold the ways of his ancestors, and to represent the elite of his culture. It would seem as though the invasion of the colonialist empire is responsible for the disfigurement of Okonkwo’s life. Upon closer consideration, however, one finds that it is Okonkwo’s polarized concepts of masculinity and femininity that are disfigured, and that he has never represented the balanced wisdom of his ancestors at all. Thus, as Achebe’s juxtaposition of Okonkwo’s rigid perspective and Umuofia’s adaptive reality expands, the reader follows Okonkwo and his falsely gendered world’s descent into chaos.

“Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond” (2860). The first sentence of the novel brings Okonkwo’s narration directly into an insider perspective. This helps to establish a fair and extensively emic view of Umuofian culture. In this way readers can not only observe an inclusive outline of...

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• Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe

• Literature Notes
• Essay Questions
• Book Summary
• About Things Fall Apart
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Part 1: Chapter 1
• Part 1: Chapter 2
• Part 1: Chapter 3
• Part 1: Chapter 4
• Part 1: Chapter 5
• Part 1: Chapter 6
• Part 1: Chapter 7
• Part 1: Chapter 8
• Part 1: Chapter 9
• Part 1: Chapter 10
• Part 1: Chapter 11
• Part 1: Chapter 12
• Part 1: Chapter 13
• Part 2: Chapter 14
• Part 2: Chapter 15
• Part 2: Chapter 16
• Part 2: Chapter 17
• Part 2: Chapter 18
• Part 2: Chapter 19
• Part 3: Chapter 20
• Part 3: Chapter 21
• Part 3: Chapter 22
• Part 3: Chapter 23
• Part 3: Chapter 24
• Part 3: Chapter 25
• Character Analysis
• Reverend James Smith
• Character Map
• Chinua Achebe Biography
• Critical Essays
• Major Themes in Things Fall Apart
• Use of Language in Things Fall Apart
• Full Glossary for Things Fall Apart
• Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. Why did Achebe choose to take the title of his novel, Things Fall Apart , from William Butler Yeats' poem "The Second Coming"?

2. What is the narrator's point of view and what values are important to the narrator?

3. Achebe presents details of daily village life in Umuofia, as well as details concerning the Igbo culture. Describe the setting of the novel.

4. What is chi ? Explain the importance of chi in shaping Okonkwo's destiny.

5. Obierika is a foil for Okonkwo. That is, when compared to Okonkwo, the contrast between the two characters emphasizes the distinctive characteristics of Okonkwo. Compare the two characters — Obierika and Okonkwo.

6. Achebe suggests that Igbo culture is dynamic (constantly changing). Find evidence in the novel to support this notion.

7. What is the significance of Nwoye's Christian name, Isaac?

8. In Things Fall Apart , Achebe includes stories from Igbo culture and tradition, proverbs, and parables. What is the significance of Achebe's integration of African literary forms with that of Western literary forms?

9. Achebe resents the stereotype of African cultures that is presented in literature, such as Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. Identify instances in Things Fall Apart that portray variations in African cultures.

10. What is the role of women in the novel?

11. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the social structure portrayed in Things Fall Apart . For example, the culture is polygamous ; the husband, wives, and children live in their own compound; children are cared for communally.

12. Explain why you think Okonkwo kills himself.

13. In your opinion, what contributes most to things falling apart in Umuofia? Explain.

14. How are the womanly or feminine qualities of the Igbo culture important to its survival?

15. Compare Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith. How does the black and white thinking of Reverend Smith contribute to Umuofia's downfall? What would have prevented Umuofia's downfall?

Previous Full Glossary for Things Fall Apart

Next Cite this Literature Note

Echoes of Transformation: Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’

This essay about Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” explores the intricate portrayal of cultural clashes amidst colonial Nigeria. Through the lens of protagonist Okonkwo, Achebe reveals the unraveling of tradition and the resilience of the Igbo people in the face of European colonization. While SparkNotes provides guidance through the novel’s themes, the true essence of the work lies in its ability to transcend analytical boundaries, resonating deeply with readers. Achebe critiques colonialism through characters like Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith, urging readers to confront their biases. The narrative highlights the impact of cultural collision on individual lives and communities, prompting reflection on power dynamics and privilege. Ultimately, “Things Fall Apart” serves as a powerful reminder of literature’s capacity to illuminate the human condition and provoke meaningful discourse in a world marked by division and discord.

How it works

In the literary realm of Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart,” a captivating tapestry of themes, characters, and cultural clashes unfurls, drawing readers into its intricate depths. Set against the backdrop of colonial Nigeria, Achebe masterfully intertwines a narrative that transcends mere storytelling, delving into the complexities of tradition, transformation, and the human experience. While resources like SparkNotes offer guidance through the novel’s labyrinthine corridors, the true essence of “Things Fall Apart” lies in the journey it offers, urging readers to explore its nuances with minds open and hearts ignited by curiosity.

At the core of “Things Fall Apart” pulses the rhythm of a society in flux, as the advent of European colonizers disrupts the delicate fabric of Igbo life. Through the eyes of Okonkwo, a formidable figure propelled by an unyielding pursuit of success and respect, Achebe beckons readers to witness the unraveling of tradition and the erosion of cultural identity. Yet, amidst the upheaval, echoes of resilience and defiance reverberate, challenging the inevitability of change and the imposition of foreign values.

While SparkNotes serves as a compass for navigating the novel’s thematic terrain, the true potency of “Things Fall Apart” lies in its capacity to transcend analytical boundaries and resonate with the soul. With vivid imagery and eloquent prose, Achebe invites readers to inhabit a world where the collision of cultures mirrors the complexities of the human spirit. As characters grapple with questions of belonging and power, readers are compelled to confront their own biases and assumptions, embarking on a voyage of self-discovery alongside the protagonists.

At the heart of the narrative of “Things Fall Apart” lies the theme of cultural collision and its profound impact on individual lives and communities. As European missionaries and administrators assert their dominance over the Igbo people, characters like Okonkwo confront the limitations of tradition in the face of inexorable change. Yet, amidst the chaos, glimmers of hope emerge, as characters strive to carve out their place in a rapidly shifting world.

Furthermore, “Things Fall Apart” offers a poignant critique of colonialism and its repercussions on both the colonized and the colonizers. Through figures like Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith, Achebe exposes the arrogance and ignorance inherent in colonial ideology, compelling readers to reconsider their notions of power and privilege. By centering the narrative on the perspectives of the marginalized, Achebe prompts readers to confront uncomfortable truths about oppression and resistance.

In conclusion, while SparkNotes serves as a useful tool for unraveling the layers of “Things Fall Apart,” the true essence of Achebe’s magnum opus lies in its ability to provoke introspection, foster empathy, and ignite meaningful discourse. As readers journey through the pages of this timeless work, they are reminded of literature’s enduring power to illuminate the human condition and challenge the status quo. In a world fraught with division and discord, the lessons of “Things Fall Apart” resonate with urgency, urging us to confront the complexities of our shared humanity with courage and compassion.

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Essay Okonkwo, Things Fall Apart

An Essay on Things Fall Apart "Man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all." (Aristotle). Okonkwo is a perfect example of Aristotle’s quote in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Even though he is said to be the most powerful man in Umuofia, Okonkwo’s personal imperfections of fear, failure and uncontrollable anger do not allow him true eminence as a human being. Okonkwo is one of the most influential men in the Ibo tribe. In his tribe, he is both feared and honored. Which is evident by this quote, "Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond... [He] had brought honor to his tribe by throwing Amalinze the Cat..."(Achebe page:3) This suggests that …show more content…

Okonkwo's first and most prominent flaw is his fear of becoming a failure. It is greatly influenced by his father, but Okonkwo takes his fear to the extreme. Okonkwo's father was a very lazy and carefree man. He had a reputation of being "poor and his wife and children had just barely enough to eat... they swore never to lend him any more money because he never paid back." (Achebe Page: 5) In Umuofia, a father is supposed to teach the children right and wrong, and in this case, the lessons were not taught, but self-learned. Okonkwo had to rely on his own interpretations of what defined a "good man" and to him that was someone that was the exact opposite of his father. As a result of his own self-taught conclusions, Okonkwo feels that anything resembling his father or anything that his father enjoyed was weak and unnecessary. Because of his fear to be seen as weak, Okonkwo even strikes down a child that calls him father: "(and as the machete came down] Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow... He heard Ikemefuna cry 'My father, they have killed me!'... Okonkwo draws his machete and cuts him down, he does not want to be thought weak." (Achebe page:61) The fact that he kills the child shows that the way that he thinks is wrong, that reputation is more important than the life of a child. Although it is a shame to be

Essay on Gender Roles in Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe

• 4 Works Cited

Okonkwo life is “dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness” (Achebe 13). When Okonkwo was a boy, his playmates teased him calling, saying that his father was agbala. Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, was lazy. He did not work on his farm; he died in great debt. He did not acquire a single title. He did not have a barn to pass down to his son. Unoka is a type of man who is scorned in Umofia. He is seen as weak and effeminate. As Okonkwo grows older, he is determined not become a failure like his father. His father was weak; he will be strong. His father was lazy; he will be hard-working. Okonkwo earned his fame by defeating the reigning wrestling champion. Okonkwo diligently plants yam, building a successful farm. He builds himself an obi, has three wives and many children. His fame “rested on solid personal achievements” (Achebe 3). Okonkwo will not let one womanly trait sully his reputation. Therefore, he “hate[d] everything that his father Unoka had loved” (Achebe 13). One of these was gentleness. Okonkwo refuses to show any signs of emotion, except his temper. He

Okonkwo Quotes

In the book Things Fall Apart by chinua achebe, theirs a character name okonkwo who is viewed as abusive, well known, and wealthy. The book consist of okonkwo and his conflicts within his compound. Throughout the book okonkwo will be faced with a lot of challenges.

Sympathetic and Unsympathetic Characters in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

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Okonkwo also tries to show himself as an unsympathetic character to show that he is not a weak man, like his father, Unoka. (Being a weak man is a very degrading quality for the culture of Umofia.) An example of Okonkwo’s unsympathetic personality is Ikemefuna’s death. Although Okonkwo treasured the presence of the adopted buy, Ikemefuna, Okonkwo contributes the last and fatal blow to Ikemefuna, causing him to die in the Evil Forest. Okonkwo, regardless of his love for the boy, killed Ikemefuna ultimately to prove his manliness and strength to the tribe, a valued aspect of the culture. “Okonkwo’s machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body.” (Achebe 146) Okonkwo is also very unsympathetic in regards to his father, Unoka. Unoka was a poor man who was always in debt; he had an interest in music and enjoyed talking.

• Things Fall Apart

if he was unable to rule his women and his children … he was not really a man"

Essay on Okonkwo: A True Hero

Okonkwo's fear of being perceived as weak tragically leads to him to be unnecessarily violent and excessively prideful. These two fatal flaws lead to Okonkwo’s own emotional isolation, and his inevitable downfall. Driven by the fear of being seen as weak and emasculated, Okonkwo exhibits hyper masculinity and rage. Although this behavior initially leads to success in the patriarchal society of Umofia, rage is his greatest bane: it masks his compassion and pusillanimity. Onkonkwo’s obsession to never appear feminine is driven to the extreme. He denies affection even to his own family, “never show[ing] any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger. To [Okonkwo] show[ing] affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength.” (pg. 28). Okonkwo whose “whole life [is] dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness.” (pg. 13) suppress his compassion in order to appear important and manly. Ironically this creates a stark juxtaposition between his own fear and his position as an alpha male. Rather than being masculine and courageous, Okonkwo just creates tension within his family and within himself. The pinnacle of this extreme hypermasculinity is when Okonkwo ignores the wisdom of the elder Ezeudu, and violently kills his “son” Ikamafuna: “As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raised his machete, Okonkwo looked away. He had heard Ikamafuna cry “My father, they have killed me!”

Essay on The Values and Beliefs of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart

tribe to be a week of peace Okonkwo beat up his third wife because she

Okonkwo: The Tragic Hero in Things Fall Apart Essay

A character with a tragic flaw is one who consistently makes a particular error in their actions and this eventually leads to their doom. Okonkwo, a perfect tragic character, is driven by his fear of unmanliness, which causes him to act harshly toward his fellow tribesmen, his family and himself. He judges all people by how manly they act. In Okonkwo’s eyes a man is a violent, hard working, wealthy person and anyone who does not meet these standards he considers weak.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe- 5 Meaningful Quotes Revolving Around Okonkwo

In the essay Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, there are five meaningful quotes that revolve around Okonkwos status during his life. In the beginning of the novel Okonkwo became an important part of his village early in his life when he defeated Amaline the Cat in a wrestling match. His victory made him a celebrity among the nine villages of Umuofia because Amaline had been undefeated for seven years. At this point, Okonkwo began on the path to high social status among his village, which was his goal throughout his life.

The Power of Fear in Things Fall Apart Essays

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For all of his desire to be strong, Okonkwo is caught up by the constant fear of being perceived as weak. He is afraid of failure and afraid of being considered weak. This fear drives him to do whatever he can to not become a failure like his father which ironically contributes to his death. While Okonkwo was a strong and important figure in his tribe, he had to keep his reputation that way by making some hard decisions. One of them was when he had to kill Ikemefuna, a young boy from the neighboring tribe. Okonkwo started accepting the decision to kill Ikemefuna because he started to call Okonkwo father. He had to keep his own valor intact and kill the boy to prevent himself from showing any weakness, but deep down, Okonkwo was really upset because of what he did which was ironic, “’When did you become a shivering old woman,' Okonkwo asked himself, 'you, who are known in all the nine villages for your valor in war? How can a man who has killed five men in battle fall to pieces because he has added a boy to their number? Okonkwo, you have become a woman indeed.'" (Achebe 65). He continued to roll downhill when the white man comes to try and convert Okonkwo’s tribe. Okonkwo responds by killing one of the messengers that were sent. This cause Okonkwo's own tribe to question his actions. “"Okonkwo stood looking at the dead man. He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messengers escape.

Fate and Free Will in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart Essay

Okonkwo is initially introduced as a proud, hardworking, successful warrior. He is described as "clearly cut out for great things" (6). But he is the son of a ne'er-do-well father; though genial and inoffensive, Unoka must certainly have been considered a failure. He is lazy and does not provide for his family. Not only is this disgraceful, but life-threatening as well. He is dependent on other members of the clan and must have been considered unsuccessful. Okonkwo chafes under such disgrace and his success is a consequence of his desire to be everything his father is not; society's vision of an exemplar citizen. The fact that Okonkwo is able to rise above his poverty and disgraceful paternity illustrates the Igbo's acceptance of individual free will. But Okonkwo's fate and his disharmony with his chi, family and clan are shown to cause his ultimate disgrace and death.

Essay Character Analysis of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart

Determination is one of Okonkwo's most outstanding characteristics. Because of his undying obsession to be unlike his father, Okonkwo is determined to be exactly what is father is not. Since childhood, Okonkwo has been ashamed of his father, because according to the clansmen Okonkwo's father did not meet the standards that the men of that time should have met. Unoka, Okonkwo's father, never had a real job/title. He didn't become a warrior because he hated the sight of blood, which according to their society made him a coward. He often borrowed money from the clan, and hardly repaid them the loan. However, he was not a complete waste of a person, he was talented in music and conversation, and was also thought to be a gentle person. As we see in the novel, Okonkwo was very much the opposite of his father. He had a job/title, he had a large family, he was a warrior, and he never needed to borrow excessive amounts of money from the clan. All of Unoka's Characteristics, even the good ones, Okonkwo didn't want to possess them. It was his ignorance along with his flaw that led him to his ultimate fall.

Comparing Othello And Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo has a tragic flaw, dark downfall, but does not recognize his flaw as the cause of his downfall. This conveys the theme that one’s insecurity will lead to their demise, regardless of their intent. First, Okonkwo’s flaw is his insecurity rooted in his need for masculinity. Okonkwo fears the idea that “he should be found to resemble his father” and was a “man of action, a man of war. Unlike his father he could stand the look of blood” (13, 10). Given how Okonkwo’s father was a man of no wealth or status, he was seen as feminine. Refusing to resemble his father, Okonkwo becomes a strong, masculine man. Additionally, Okonkwo’s downfall was the result of multiple events that threaten his masculinity. Okonkwo’s first major offense was killing Ikemefuna out of fear of weakness despite being told to “not bear a hand in his death” (57). Additionally, the crime that forced Okonkwo into exile is when his “gun had exploded and a piece of iron had pierced the boy’s heart” (124). Furthermore, Okonkwo’s need for power causes him to kill a messenger as his “machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body” (204). As a result of his need to appear masculine, Okonkwo makes one foolish decision after another that culminate to his downfall. His refusal to not kill Ikemefuna was done out of fear of seeming weak, his crime that sent him to exile was deemed

Why Is Okonkwo A Tragic Hero

In conclusion, Okonkwo exemplifies Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero. His character has many tragic flaws, including, fear of weakness, hubris, and his work ethic, which in the end lead to his death. His life and death provoke pity and fear for the audience. Okonkwo becomes noble and is a great leader overall in the story. In the end, Chinua Achebe has shown an expressive character that evidently can be called a tragic

Who Is Responsible For Okonkwo's Downfall

One of the main causes of Okonkwo’s downfall is his fear of being like his father, who was weak and considered a failure. Okonkwo is told that Ikemefuna,

Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart Essay

Okonkwo, as presented by Chinua Achebe in the novel Things Fall Apart, wished to be revered by all as a man of great wealth, power and control--the antithesis of his father. Okonkwo was driven by the need to exhibit utmost control over himself and others; he was an obsessive and insecure man.

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Okonkwo was famous throughout nine villages and beyond because of this toughness. He was tall and huge with bushy eyebrows with a wide nose. Okonkwo achieves this greatness by defeating the greatest wrestler (Amalinze). He expressed his anger by using physical violence. He was nothing like his father Unoka. Oknonwo is different from western heroes unlike the western heroes, he earned his fame by his genuine strength, he beats his wide if they disobey him, and he was proud of his father.…

Things Fall Apart Observation of Okonkwo

Prior to the Christians coming to the Ibo society, Okonkwo was very much loved and well respected “Age was respected among his people, but achievement was revered” (Achebe, pg 8). He was a self-righteous man who was very stubborn and felt he had no one to answer to but himself. When he was eighteen years of age, Okonkwo gained honor to his village by throwing Amalizine the Cat, a great wrestler who was unbeaten for seven years, from Umofia to Mbaino (1). After this battle, Okonkwo always felt the need to prove his bravery. Okonkwo was exiled from his village because of a gun accident during a funeral service for a well-respected man of the Ibo community. When he returned from exile, he found Christians in his home spreading their religion and converting many of his people. He finds that his people, who at one time were very powerful and strong, are now too afraid to fight off the white Christian men, “he mourned for the warlike men of Umofia, who had so unaccountably become soft like women” (1).…

Okonkwo's Downfall

Throughout the novel, Things Fall Apart, many characters played an important role. But the most prominent role played was by Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a completely self made individual that against all odds, rose to the challenge of life. No matter what life threw at him, he always met that challenge with brute force and determination. However, never did Okonkwo imagine that his downfall would be because of his own tragic flaw. Okonkwo's violent and rash nature made him difficult to work with and gave people the wrong image of who he was. He was so distracted by trying to be anyone other than his father that he lost himself along the way.…

Okonkwo In Chinau Achebe's Things Fall Apart

One of the characteristics that is common amongst tragic heroes is how valued and respected they are. In the village of Umoufia, Okonkwo is one of the most respected men who has gained his fame and respect from his own personal achievements. The narrator introduces this fact in the beginning of the book, stating: “Okonkwo…

How Does Okonkwo Change In His Tribe

In his tribe, he is both feared and honored. “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond... He brought honor to his tribe by throwing Amalinze the Cat ”(3). Okonkwo’s character remains strong and courageous. From an early age, Okonkwo was ashamed of his father, who was unable even to feed his family. When he was old enough, Okonkwo began farming his own yams because “he had to support his mother and two sisters […] And supporting his mother also meant supporting his father” (25). Okonkwo’s self-reliance was admired. Okonkwo was not a failure like Unoka. “ He had a large barn full of yams and he had three wives. And now he was going to take the Idemili title, the third highest in the land.” ( ) Okonkwo’s life was always with great pride before he accidently kills Ezeudu's sixteen-year-old son. He and his family were sent into exile to his homeland. His clan was already invaded by British Colonists after he got back. Okonkwo’s death is a result of the changes created by the coming of the British Colonists to Igbo. Okonkwo construes change as weakness, and as a result of his interpretation Okonkwo only knows how to react to change through anger and strength, but he does not know how to face the weakness. That is why he killed himself at the end to avoid everything. And this shows the coward side of…

Okonkwo, Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo is one of the most influential men in the Ibo tribe. In his tribe, he is both feared and honored. Which is evident by this quote, "Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond... [He] had brought honor to his tribe by throwing Amalinze the Cat..."(Achebe page:3) This suggests that in Okonkwo's society, power is achieved by making a name for yourself in any way possible, even if that means fighting and wrestling to get your fame. Although honor is a good thing, when people have to fight to gain it, it becomes an object of less adoration. Okonkwo's "prosperity was visible in his household... his own hut stood behind the only gate in the red walls. Each of his three wives had her own hut... long stacks of yams stood out prosperously in [the bam]... [Okonkwo] offers prayers on the behalf of himself, his three wives, and eight children." (Achebe page:14) Okonkwo has also worked and tended to his crops in a very zealous fashion, and drives everyone around him to work as hard as he does. Because of this, he earns his place as one of Umuofia's most powerful men. In many cultures, a big family is a source of pride. Although Okonkwo is not always pleased by his children and wives, it also brings him a source of pride to have three wives and eight children. Large families mean that the head of the family is able to support all of them. Okonkwo's devotion to his crops and family gives to him the respect that any father and husband deserves, and in his culture, being able to fight and kill, as well, gives him even more…

Things Fall Apart-Notion of Balance Analysis

Okonkwo, the main character of the book, was born the son of Unoka, who was a loafer. Unoka was too lazy to go out and plant crops on new, fertile land, and preferred to stay at home playing his flute, drinking palm wine, and making merry with the neighbors. Because of this, his father never had enough money, and his family went hungry. He borrowed much money in order to maintain this lifestyle. Okonkwo perceived this as an imbalance toward the female side in his father's character: staying at home and not using one's strength to provide for the family is what the women do. In reaction, Okonkwo completely rejected his father, and therefore the feminine side of himself. He became a star wrestler and warrior in his tribe and began providing for his family at a very young age, while at the same time starting new farms and beginning to amass wealth. He is very successful, and soon becomes one of the leaders of his tribe and has many wives and children. His big ambition is to become one of the powerful elders of the tribe, for what could be more manly than that?…

Tragic Hero

Okonkwo’s dad, Unoka, was a lazy man who didn’t have the money to repay his debt. He was thought of as a coward and Okonkwo’s fear of becoming like his father gave him the desire to succeed, and consistently motivated him to progress through out life. Okonkwo fought really hard and became the leader of the Igbo community of Umuofia. “He was possessed by the fear of his father’s contemptible life and shameful death”. He’s described as tall and huge with “bushy eyebrows and a wide nose that gives him a very severe look.” He was masculine, respected, and wealthy. Okonkwo believed that every man should have power and that they shouldn’t show any affection to others or else they would get called women. The narrator states, “At an early age he had achieved fame as the greatest wrestler in all of the land.” In Umuofia, it’s really difficult to gain this title, it indicates ones manliness.…

Okonkwo Tragic Hero

Okonkwo’s story begins with demonstrations of his great pride and various accomplishments that help him to become an important member of the tribe. One of his first accomplishments is becoming a renowned wrestler: “As a young man of eighteen he had brought honour to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat” (Achebe, 3). Amalinze had been undefeated for several years and this shows that Okonkwo is a force to be reckoned with, even at such a young age. Okonkwo also shows his wealth and strength with his “large compound… long stacks of yams… [and] his three wives and eight children” (10). Property, yams, and family are all instrumental in securing the value of a man in Ibo society, and Okonkwo has all of these things. Despite beginning his life with disadvantages, Okonkwo becomes a great farmer. He was young, but also hard working and “he had begun even in his father’s lifetime to lay the foundations of a prosperous future” (13). Okonkwo approaches successful men who trust and believe in him for help, and they know that by helping Okonkwo, he will give back to the tribe in the future. Wrestling, property, and farming are important in the Ibo tribe. By achieving these things, Okonkwo becomes an important leader in his society.…

Related Topics

• Things Fall Apart
• Chinua Achebe
• Igbo people

Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart Essay

Okonkwo In Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo is the main character in Things Fall Apart, he is a leader in his village of Umofia. His father is a lazy man who has many debts in his village his family who normally go hungry. Okonkwo earns his leader title in the village by wrestling Amalinze the Cat he does this to not be known as the son of a weak lazy man. Okonkwo doesn’t want to be anything like his father Unoka, he tries his whole life not to but it leads to his downfall. One of the neighboring villagers kills one of the women from Umofia. This angers the village in order to maintain the peace in both villages the man who killed the woman offers his son to Okonkwo. Ikemefuna and Okonkwo develop a fatherly bond and with Okonkwo’s son. In Umofia during the Week of Peace Okonkwo beats two out of his three wives. His first wife he beats because she went off to a friend’s house instead of making lunch and feeding her children. His second wife took leaves from his banana plant Okonkwo beats her and shoots her. Ogbuefi Ezeuder the elder in the village tells Okonkwo a message from the Oracle. The Oracle says that his adopted son Ikemefuna must be killed to get back…

In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo has good qualities to him such as being a hard worker, and he is respected throughout the villages, but he often blocks his emotions and becomes a murderer. These actions make him seem like a bad person which makes him actually become one and leads him to being banished from the village. He is strong and honorable but his offsets often distract people from the real Okonkwo. Okonkwo is an unsympathetic character with his wives Ojiugo and…

Things Fall Apart Okonkwo

Things fall apart a novel about intertwining stories. Both these stories center on Okonkwo a strong man of an Ibo village in Nigeria. Okonkwo is the main character in this novel. He has many problems in his tribe all these due to his father Unoka. Who is one of the weariest men in this novel? Okonkwo has many children but he has relationships with only two in the novel. Okonkwo is the influential clan leader of Umuofia. Okonkwo is a strong man of an Ibo village in Nigeria. “His fame is rested on…

Forces, the third feature of the tragic template, have a profound impact on the characters in Things Fall Apart, most specifically, Okonkwo. Forces are things that are outside of the control of the character. The outside force that has the greatest impact on Okonkwo is the arrival of European missionaries. The missionaries came to Umuofia, Mbanta, and the surrounding villages with the intention of spreading Christianity to the native people of Africa. This affects Okonkwo personally because his…

In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo is a sympathetic character because he does seem to care about other people other than himself but, he also does not want to be seen as weak, so he will do anything needed to not be seen as weak. Okonkwo didn’t eat food for two days since the death of Ikemefuna. Okonkwo does seem to care about other people other than himself because when Ezinma was taken into the cave, he could not sleep, he would constantly walk back and forth waiting to…

Things Fall Apart Okonkwo Analysis

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forget the collective whole, everyone will pay the price for that transgression if the gods retaliate and bring crop failure. Ironically, Okonkwo has already begun acting as an individual and not as a part of the…

Analysis Of Okonkwo In Things Fall Apart

Relationships and Fear The character Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is driven by the fear of change as well as losing his self worth. This impacts many of his actions and relationships throughout the novel and is rooted in his relationship with his father, Unoka. The contrast between Unoka’s lazy but happy personality and Okonkwo’s severe, cold, and yet determined state of mind is reflected in how he treats his wives and children. Okonkwo’s unforgiving relationship with his father…

Who Is Okonkwo In Things Fall Apart

In the novel Things Fall Apart Okonkwo shows many characteristics that help you define who he is. In the beginning of the novel okonkwo is portrayed as being a big strong warrior who is the toughest out of everyone. Also he is shown as having no weaknesses and as being a successful person. But as you read more you notice how he treats others and his family. Once you read more you see that he is a sympathetic person and cares for others. Okonkwo treats his family nicely and cares for them. But…

Okonkwo Is Not A Hero In Things Fall Apart

A hero is a person who helps people and will help people . Chinua Achebe the author of Things Fall Apart, attempts to break the single story, and make West Africans remember their history. Achebe introduces the main character Okonkwo,the protagonist in this story. Okonkwo is an Igbo clan member who suffers many hardships and does many wrong things that affect him in a negative way and leads him to suicide. Okonkwo is not a hero, for he is very abusive, violent and lives on attention and praise,…

Essay On Okonkwo In Things Fall Apart

The novel Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, follows Okonkwo’s life and his clan who live in the village of Umuofia. Okonkwo’s father, Unoka is a laid back man who was largely in debt and carried no titles. Okonkwo vowed he would not become his father and as a young boy and strove for greatness. Getting his start by winning a wrestling match, he grew to be a self-made man and accumulated many titles, land and strong relationships with important people in the village while in Umuofia. Okonkwo…

Related Topics:

• Chinua Achebe
• English-language films
• Igbo language
• Igbo people
• John Steinbeck
• No Longer at Ease
• Of Mice and Men
• Things Fall Apart
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Truman Capote
• White people

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