The Character Of Okonkwo In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe 's "Things Fall Apart", focuses on a man 's challenges, while living in Nigeria during precolonial times. Okonkwo lives in Umuofia, a farming community. The community bears strict rules and carries on generations old The society imposes great gender roles on the villagers. The men were valued by how much land he owns and how many wives he 's married. The people abide by beliefs and laws, which affects their everyday choices. The actions that one take will either cause a positive or negative outcome. The morals of Okonkwo, a controversial character, had been questioned. Should Okonkwo receive the title of a good person? By definition, a good person is someone that brings happiness and acts as a benefactor to people especially those …show more content…
Okonkwo 's father did not carry any titles and owe large debts to his neighbors and friends. In the community he belonged to the low class, because he did not have large plots of land to farm yams, did not have money, and he did not have titles. The people of Umuofia classified him at the same level as women. When his father died, Okonkwo did not inherit any land, seeds or house like most people have. Okonkwo had to plead with the wealthiest man at that time for yam seeds so that he may start working for his titles. Already at a young age, he had many wrestling victories that earned him praise from people of the villages. He had earned many titles, because of his hard working and dedicated personality. He married several wives and the people recognized him as an important man with many titles. Okonkwo knew how much he had achieved throughout the years, and he resented his father because of his insignificance. Okonkwo did not want his sons to grow and resemble his father. Okonkwo had to take time and efforts to nurture them in an environment that would guarantee they would grow strong and very masculine like himself. If they did not, his sons would be shamed and mocked by the community. Okonkwo cared for his sons, and wanted his definition of best for them. Okonkwo acts as the father figure that he never had. A good father makes …show more content…
Okonkwo has taken care of his family as best as he can, to make sure that they are living fulfilling lives. He has also tried to act as a benefactor for the sake of the clan and his family. Okonkwo had provided the comfort that his family needed at certain times, had made them happy in some aspects. Okonkwo take actions only when he thinks that those actions would serve beneficially to either the clan or to his family. By definition, Okonkwo has earned the title of a good