In the story of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the main character Okonkwo, is a man filled with pride and stubbornness. Okonkwo is strict, masculine and therefore a violent man. Achebe devoted many chapters that demonstrate Okonkwo’s masculinity. At an early age, Okonkwo is already famous for his strength and personal achievements, and known for his courage and manliness. By achieving tribal success and recognition, Okonkwo buries the unending shame he feels for his father Unoka’s faults and failures.
Seeing it as a sign of weakness, Okonkwo was afraid to show any affection to anyone. His masculinity gets in his way of developing relationships with others. Even when he is advised not to be part of Ikemefuna’s murder, he feels that he has to prove to everyone that even in the most difficult time his courage will rise. Although Okonkwo’s brutal kil
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This violent act made him look as if he had no feelings for anyone. He is shocked to see that no other man stands behind him when he gets up to fight. The Christians have “put a knife on the things that held [the clan] together and [they] have fallen apart”. Okonkwo tells the man that the meeting is “for men. Nwoye becomes even a greater disappointment to Okonkwo once he breaks into tears upon learning what is about to happen to Ikemefuna, who he has grown attached to. ling of Ikemefuna did not end up achieving what Okonkwo had wanted; if the gods wanted it, he will have it done. Nwoye, desperate for his father’s approval, pretends to dislike the women’s stories and grumbles about the women. Okonkwo, focused on being strong and masculine, does not want any sign of weakness close to him. He insults a man with no titles, Usugo. He views Nwoye as weak because he is sensitive, and prefers being with the women, rather than with the men. Things slowly fall apart in Okonkwo’s life. He is exiled, lost a son to a Christianity, and has to start all over having nothing in Umuofia.
Okonkwo is seen more snobby than noble when in a clan meeting. Once again, Okonkwo is forced to feel shame when he finds out that Nwoye has converted to Christianity.
Approximate Word count =
628
Approximate Pages =
3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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