Masculinity In Things Fall Apart Research Paper

Ikemefuna’s character and his tremendous effect on the clan illuminate the central concept of opposing views of masculinity throughout different generations present in the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. To begin, Ikemefuna helps Nwoye to realize how proud his father becomes when he no longer cares for women’s stories. Nwoye understands the notion that as a man he is supposed to be masculine and violent, yet he still prefers the more feminine stories that his mother tells (Achebe 53). Nwoye fakes his interest in masculine stories to impress Okonkwo and as Nwoye cares less for women’s stories, he sees that it pleases Okonkwo and he no longer beats him (Achebe 54). The generation gap proves that Okonkwo values a man’s strength but Nwoye sees staying true to himself and his interests as more important. …show more content…
Achebe uses Ikemefuna and his relationship with Nwoye to illuminate the central concern of masculinity. After meeting Ikemefuna, Nwoye grows into the prosperous man that Okonkwo has always he would become (Achebe 53). Okonkwo’s desire for Nwoye to grow into a prosperous man proves that Okonkwo follows the ideal of powerful men in the Igbo culture. When faced with the decision of killing Ikemefuna, Okonkwo tests his strength and demonstrates that he favors a dominant male figure. Okonkwo’s strong desire to appear strong in front of his peers ultimately leads him to kill Ikemefuna; “dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe