Okonkwo Masculinity Quotes

In Umofia, masculinity is thought of highly as a virtue. It goes hand in hand with being brave and having control. It is even an insult to be called an “Agbala”, a woman. It’s widely known that if a man can control his women or children, then he was said to not really be a man. The main difference between the two genders is that they believed that women are to obey men and men are to control. Okonkwo epitomized control and manliness. His father accomplished nothing and was the main reason that Okonkwo is as misogynistic as he is, Okonkwo built up his reputation on his own and only looked up to himself. At times, Okonkwo can get so extreme with trying to appear masculine that he defies the tribes’ religion, resorts to violence, and goes against the ethics of his own people. Okonkwos deranged view of masculinity leads him to upset the gods, his people, and his loved ones. …show more content…
It was right to be strong and wrong to be weak, therefore it was right to be a man and wrong to be a woman. He even chooses what crops to grow based on his view that yams symbolized manliness. In turn, they fear his influence and especially the frequent angry outbursts. The reason he does this isn’t because of bad parenting skills, but because of the fear of failure and weakness. His family doesn’t approve of his violent ways but still try to appease to him. For example, Nwoye, his oldest son, wants his fathers attention and says nothing about his wrong actions, which accidentally encourages his violent ways. By believing that Nwoye is choosing masculine tendencies, Okonkwo believes that masculinity reigns supreme and is the right way to