Strengths And Weaknesses Of Okonkwo

1. Okonkwo is physically large with a severe looking face. Okonkwo was loud and quick to use his fists as when he got angry he couldn’t get his words out fast enough. Okonkwo didn’t like people who were unsuccessful and weak. He was a powerful leader, who wasn’t afraid of war or conflict. Okonkwo was a hard worker and successful farmer. He is a perfect Igbo hero as he’s a controlling leader, who is fearless when it comes to taking action. Okonkwo’s character traits and successes made him a cultural hero. Western heroes aren’t as aggressive, but they are smart and assertive. Western heroes lead from confidence, not from fear of failure. The weakness of Okonkwo is reacting first, and then thinking. Okonkwo’s weakness is lack of foresight. While his strength was that he knew how to be what his culture wanted, so that he’d have followers.

2. Unoka’s physical appearance was tall, thin, and stooped. Unoka was in debt to people, and he loved to drink alcohol. He was never responsible, and didn’t take care of himself or his family. However, he was a good musician, who enjoyed playing the flute. Okonkwo was embarrassed by his father for being a weak coward, who wouldn’t fight, and he was poor, unsuccessful, and too gentle. Okonkwo wanted to be the exact opposite of his father, so he was loud, …show more content…
European presence isn’t introduced until the last third of the novel as the reader has to be engaged with the Igbo culture and the people and care about what happens to them. The title of the book is Things Fall Apart and the European presence is a contribution to things falling apart. This is how the book should be written for the story to have meaning and be impactful.

12. Umuofia changed a lot during Okonkwo’s exile. European influence and the church had increased strength over the village. Their system to justice and government ruled the village. Murder now had a sentence of hanging instead of exile like it was for Okonkwo. There was a weakening of kinship among the