Okonkwo was a self-made man and created his riches with minimal help from anyone else. He was also held in high esteem within his clan of Umuofia. His estate included his personal hut, huts for his three wives and children, shrine room, storage for yams and kola nuts, and shelter for the family’s chickens and goats. A large earthen wall then enclosed this estate. In addition to the physical riches he held, yams, kola nuts, and livestock, he also had achieved two out of the four tribal titles that a person could hold, and well on his way to attaining the third (Achebe, 1994). Although Okonkwo held many tribal titles and was held in high esteem within the clan, his desire for his own glory, not the presence of the Christian missionaries,
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Because he knew his father was unable or unwilling to maintain his family, he was able to borrow 1200 yams to start sharecropping with other villagers. Okonkwo did not intentionally want to help his father’s estate, however, but because he was farming to help sustain his sisters and mother, he would be supporting his father as well. Although this first year of farming for Okonkwo was a bad farming year, he persevered (Achebe, 1994) and was able to continue making a name for himself in the clan. This is evident with the fact that he held two tribal titles and was on his way to attaining the third, unlike his father, who did not have any tribal …show more content…
During this time, it is expected to be kind to your family and neighbors as not to offend the Gods and disrupt a good growing season (Achebe, 1994). During this peaceful time, Okonkwo grew irritated with his youngest wife because she lost track of time visiting her friends and did organize the evening meal (Ikuenobe, 2006). Instead of siding with compassion, Okonkwo beats her soundly. While in the tribal culture, this reaction may be considered justified at any other time throughout the year (Achebe, 1994), during the Week of Peace, it is a cultural taboo and a “violation of the Week of Peace, which required people to show restraint and reverence for the gods.” as was stated by the oracle (Achebe, 1994; Ikuenobe, 2006). While he did show remorsefulness after he was brought before the oracle, he made penance in excess of what was required (Nnoromele, 2000), his quick to temper attitude shows he was did not restrain punishment regardless of the social stigma it
Because he knew his father was unable or unwilling to maintain his family, he was able to borrow 1200 yams to start sharecropping with other villagers. Okonkwo did not intentionally want to help his father’s estate, however, but because he was farming to help sustain his sisters and mother, he would be supporting his father as well. Although this first year of farming for Okonkwo was a bad farming year, he persevered (Achebe, 1994) and was able to continue making a name for himself in the clan. This is evident with the fact that he held two tribal titles and was on his way to attaining the third, unlike his father, who did not have any tribal …show more content…
During this time, it is expected to be kind to your family and neighbors as not to offend the Gods and disrupt a good growing season (Achebe, 1994). During this peaceful time, Okonkwo grew irritated with his youngest wife because she lost track of time visiting her friends and did organize the evening meal (Ikuenobe, 2006). Instead of siding with compassion, Okonkwo beats her soundly. While in the tribal culture, this reaction may be considered justified at any other time throughout the year (Achebe, 1994), during the Week of Peace, it is a cultural taboo and a “violation of the Week of Peace, which required people to show restraint and reverence for the gods.” as was stated by the oracle (Achebe, 1994; Ikuenobe, 2006). While he did show remorsefulness after he was brought before the oracle, he made penance in excess of what was required (Nnoromele, 2000), his quick to temper attitude shows he was did not restrain punishment regardless of the social stigma it