“You cannot be a hero without being a coward.” George Bernard enhances the idea that all heroes must go through performing cowardly acts in order to be considered as a hero. A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Bruce King’s assessment of Okonkwo’s heroism demonstrates that the Igbo culture and people rely on him due to his “reach beyond his fears to his bold action,” so Umuofia can strive. Okonkwo, the strongest wrestler with the most fame in Umuofia has the characteristics of being brave and determined, which makes him a hero to the Igbo people and the readers themselves. As a hero, Okonkwo is always determined because he does anything to be seen as a powerful man.
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One example is when the Oracle is chasing Ikemefuna and he comes to Okonkwo for help, but Okwonkwo is the one who kills him. Ikemefuna was the son Okonkwo always wished to have because he was the opposite of Nwoye and was being influential to him about acting like a man. “Sometimes when he went to big village meetings or communal ancestral feasts he allowed Ikemefuna to accompany him, like a son, carrying his stool and his goat skin bag. And, indeed, Ikemefuna called him father.” (pg.28) Okonkwo is a man who does not express his emotions because it shows weakness, but he became fond of Ikemefuna and treated him with a heavy hand. “Dazed with fear, Okwonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.” (pg.61) Since Okonkwo treated Ikemefuna like his own blood-related son, and had the courage to kill him it shows that he got past his fear. Being the hero that he is this was a cowardly act, however he was just trying to put Ikemefuna out of his misery because he knew the Oracle would not stop until he was dead. After the death of Ikemefuna, Okonkwo felt sick to his stomach and did not eat for two days. Okonkwo realized that he needed to take on bravery when he asked himself, “When did you become a shivering old woman… you who are known for your valor in war? How can a man who has killed five men in battle fall to pieces because he has added a
One example is when the Oracle is chasing Ikemefuna and he comes to Okonkwo for help, but Okwonkwo is the one who kills him. Ikemefuna was the son Okonkwo always wished to have because he was the opposite of Nwoye and was being influential to him about acting like a man. “Sometimes when he went to big village meetings or communal ancestral feasts he allowed Ikemefuna to accompany him, like a son, carrying his stool and his goat skin bag. And, indeed, Ikemefuna called him father.” (pg.28) Okonkwo is a man who does not express his emotions because it shows weakness, but he became fond of Ikemefuna and treated him with a heavy hand. “Dazed with fear, Okwonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.” (pg.61) Since Okonkwo treated Ikemefuna like his own blood-related son, and had the courage to kill him it shows that he got past his fear. Being the hero that he is this was a cowardly act, however he was just trying to put Ikemefuna out of his misery because he knew the Oracle would not stop until he was dead. After the death of Ikemefuna, Okonkwo felt sick to his stomach and did not eat for two days. Okonkwo realized that he needed to take on bravery when he asked himself, “When did you become a shivering old woman… you who are known for your valor in war? How can a man who has killed five men in battle fall to pieces because he has added a