Okonkwo: Analysis

Throughout Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo displays a variety of characteristics and traits that either accommodate or disregard traditional Igbo culture and values.

In the exposition and throughout the novel, Okonkwo makes it very clear that he expresses dislike for his father and forces himself to be active and decisive. He uses the cultivation and harvesting of his yams to show his extremely autonomous side of his character. He uses this to show his success and his attitude and work ethic is very much a desired and important trait in the Igbo Culture. This enabled Okonkwo to embrace his wealth and attain much respect through buying titles and trying to reach ozo. This of course gave Okonkwo a higher status among the Igbo people through his hard work and personal achievements such as wrestling Amalize The Cat. With this image of himself, Okonkwo presents himself as an intimidating person of which is needed to survive in a very much competitive society."He had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had no patience with his father"(p.1)This makes him inflict these values of hard work on his child Nwoye and follows this path strictly to attain high respect from others and to maintain self respect of himself. We can contradict this statement toward the end however, as he starts to become doubtful and inevitably commits suicide of which is shameful sin in the Igbo society. Okonkwo contradicts his values of respect by fighting for pride amongst others, but ultimately when in need, asks for help from a wealthier man whilst doing so respectfully, both contributing to the Okonkwo's human nature and verisimilitude.

Okonkwo does have periods in the novel of which he loses self control such as the ending of peace week where he attacks one of his wife. This for the Igbo people was seen as disrespectful as the culture values love and marriage as an important thing in society, especially treating ones wife with respect and dignity. This portrays a lack of emotion if Okonkwo and it is shown throughout the novel the lack of compassion and respect for some of his family other than Ikemefuma and his daughter Enzima who yields the greatest influence on him. This love is shadowed by his personality creating a cloud of self image that looms upon his very shoulders . Despite not being directly instructed by the oracle and spirits, Okonkwo kills Ikemefuma to retain his self image, opposing the advice not to. "That boy calls you father, Do not bear hand in his death".Indeed this selfish, cold hearted, hard working man named Okonkwo possesses numerous traits that define him in Things Fall Apart, all of which portray him in the most humanistic manner possible whilst leading to his incredible downfall of suicide which abolishes some of the very core values that helped him thrive in the first place.