There are many characters that live in the village of Umofia. They all have their own certain traits and ways that they behave. Okonkwo is the main character in the book “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. Okonkwo is a famous and successful wrestler in his village. He has 3 wives and 4 kids that he treats differently throughout the story. Whether his actions consider him a sympathetic or unsympathetic person can be debated on. I think the way Okonkwo treats his family and his reasoning he has in doing it makes him a sympathetic person.
First off, Okonkwo hits his wife, Ojiugo after she comes home late. In the book it says this on page 29 paragraph 5. “He walked back to his obi to await Ojiugos return. And when she returned he beat her heavily.” This proves that Okonwo hit her but he had a reason. …show more content…
Even though he beat his wife during the scareds week, for him, was justified and he didn’t hit her for no reason. Secondly, Okonkwo threatens to break his son, Nwoyes’ jaw. In the book it says on page32 paragraph 4. “Do you think you are cutting yams for cooking?” He asked Nwoye.”If you split another yam of this size I’ll break your jaw.” Although Okonkwo doesn’t actually hit Nwoye he threatens to hit him for not cutting the yams right. He doesn’t just say he’ll break Nwoyes jaw for no reason but warning him to not do it again. In both cases, Okonkwo is still using violence as a method of punishment. He’s punishing his wife for being out late by hitting her and he’ll punish Nwoye by breaking his jaw. Even though the treatment is similar it’s also very different.
First off, Okonkwo hits his wife, Ojiugo after she comes home late. In the book it says this on page 29 paragraph 5. “He walked back to his obi to await Ojiugos return. And when she returned he beat her heavily.” This proves that Okonwo hit her but he had a reason. …show more content…
Even though he beat his wife during the scareds week, for him, was justified and he didn’t hit her for no reason. Secondly, Okonkwo threatens to break his son, Nwoyes’ jaw. In the book it says on page32 paragraph 4. “Do you think you are cutting yams for cooking?” He asked Nwoye.”If you split another yam of this size I’ll break your jaw.” Although Okonkwo doesn’t actually hit Nwoye he threatens to hit him for not cutting the yams right. He doesn’t just say he’ll break Nwoyes jaw for no reason but warning him to not do it again. In both cases, Okonkwo is still using violence as a method of punishment. He’s punishing his wife for being out late by hitting her and he’ll punish Nwoye by breaking his jaw. Even though the treatment is similar it’s also very different.