Is Fear the Cause of His Ultimate Demise?
Imagine a life of someone who carries a constant burden on their shoulders. The burden whispers into the person’s ear everyday probably around noon or right before bed. The burden causes a constant fear that sends chills down their spine when the syllables drop from the burden’s lips. It might sound something like, “You aren't good enough” or “It was all your fault”. This fear can consume someone especially when it is driven by self hatred, guilt or the need for power. In the novels, “Things Fall Apart” and “Things They Carried” the characters, Okonkwo, Tim O’Brien and Norman Bowker demonstrate the theme of fear through their exile and suicide.
Okonkwo’s whole life is fueled by his fear of being like his lazy and shameful father. Okonkwo overcompensated by working tirelessly on his farm and using every opportunity he could find to prove his bravery and strength.When the village decided it’s Ikemefuna who should be sacrificed, Okonkwo sees this as another opportunity. Because of Okonkwo’s fear of being looked at as weak, he killed his adoptive son, Ikemefuna, even …show more content…
Okonkwo’s gun explodes during a funeral and he kills Ezeudu. Okonkwo’s plans for enriching his power went astray and his hard work was all for nothing. His farm and compound was destroyed and when he does return after the seven years his once high rank will be gone. Achebe describes Okonkwo’s hardships in his motherland as, “like learning to become left-handed in old age. Work no longer had for him the pleasure it used to have…” (131). Okonkwo hated Mbanta because he felt like seven years had been wasted. All he could sit and think about was how he could have prospered in Umuofia and “climbed to the utmost highest” (162). It was clear that Okonkwo felt like all off his power was falling through his fingers and deep down he thought he would end up like his father,
Imagine a life of someone who carries a constant burden on their shoulders. The burden whispers into the person’s ear everyday probably around noon or right before bed. The burden causes a constant fear that sends chills down their spine when the syllables drop from the burden’s lips. It might sound something like, “You aren't good enough” or “It was all your fault”. This fear can consume someone especially when it is driven by self hatred, guilt or the need for power. In the novels, “Things Fall Apart” and “Things They Carried” the characters, Okonkwo, Tim O’Brien and Norman Bowker demonstrate the theme of fear through their exile and suicide.
Okonkwo’s whole life is fueled by his fear of being like his lazy and shameful father. Okonkwo overcompensated by working tirelessly on his farm and using every opportunity he could find to prove his bravery and strength.When the village decided it’s Ikemefuna who should be sacrificed, Okonkwo sees this as another opportunity. Because of Okonkwo’s fear of being looked at as weak, he killed his adoptive son, Ikemefuna, even …show more content…
Okonkwo’s gun explodes during a funeral and he kills Ezeudu. Okonkwo’s plans for enriching his power went astray and his hard work was all for nothing. His farm and compound was destroyed and when he does return after the seven years his once high rank will be gone. Achebe describes Okonkwo’s hardships in his motherland as, “like learning to become left-handed in old age. Work no longer had for him the pleasure it used to have…” (131). Okonkwo hated Mbanta because he felt like seven years had been wasted. All he could sit and think about was how he could have prospered in Umuofia and “climbed to the utmost highest” (162). It was clear that Okonkwo felt like all off his power was falling through his fingers and deep down he thought he would end up like his father,