Masculinity in Umuofia
In many cultures, masculinity and a dominant man have shown to play important roles in people's lives. Whether it is a early civilization in Africa or a modern city in America, a masculine boy seems to be the model child. Many people have realized that men and women deserve to be treated the same, but in some cultures they continue to follow old traditions. The different perspectives of masculinity from Okonkwo and the other igbo people play an important role in “Things Fall Apart”, and end up leading to Okonkwo’s decisive actions.
In the book, Okonkwo definitely stands out as a strong believer in a male dominant clan. He felt remorse for being born to a father who “was an ill fated man.”(18) and “when [he] died he had not title at all and he was heavily in debt”(8). But Oknokwo grew up to realize he didn't want to be like his father,
“Even as a little boy he had resented his father’s failure and weakness, and even now he still remembers 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 …show more content…
Since he hated the way his father lived, he was devoted to raising his sons to be strong, masculine men by teaching them that “affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength.”(28) With that being said, one can only imagine the anger he felt when Nwoye decided to convert to christianity and go with the missionaries. When Nwoye left his father, Okonkwo believes that “...he is no longer my son…”(172), and tells his other sons “I will only have a son who is a man.”(172). When “Okonkwo drew his machete and cut [Ikemefuna] down”(61), this incident just goes to show how he will do anything to maintain his reputation as a worthy and prideful man. Okonkwo’s obsession with masculinity and pride led to his own unavoidable downfall and the clans falling
In many cultures, masculinity and a dominant man have shown to play important roles in people's lives. Whether it is a early civilization in Africa or a modern city in America, a masculine boy seems to be the model child. Many people have realized that men and women deserve to be treated the same, but in some cultures they continue to follow old traditions. The different perspectives of masculinity from Okonkwo and the other igbo people play an important role in “Things Fall Apart”, and end up leading to Okonkwo’s decisive actions.
In the book, Okonkwo definitely stands out as a strong believer in a male dominant clan. He felt remorse for being born to a father who “was an ill fated man.”(18) and “when [he] died he had not title at all and he was heavily in debt”(8). But Oknokwo grew up to realize he didn't want to be like his father,
“Even as a little boy he had resented his father’s failure and weakness, and even now he still remembers 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 …show more content…
Since he hated the way his father lived, he was devoted to raising his sons to be strong, masculine men by teaching them that “affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength.”(28) With that being said, one can only imagine the anger he felt when Nwoye decided to convert to christianity and go with the missionaries. When Nwoye left his father, Okonkwo believes that “...he is no longer my son…”(172), and tells his other sons “I will only have a son who is a man.”(172). When “Okonkwo drew his machete and cut [Ikemefuna] down”(61), this incident just goes to show how he will do anything to maintain his reputation as a worthy and prideful man. Okonkwo’s obsession with masculinity and pride led to his own unavoidable downfall and the clans falling