Okonkwo’s society is different than other societies, and the deem different things acceptable, so what should be considered “normal”? Okonkwo is a self-made, well-respected member of the Umuofia clan. He is violent and beats his family, which is acceptable in this Nigerian tribe during this time period. Over the course of the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo develops his temper through changes and his own actions and influences from other characters. He teaches readers to stay true to oneself, and to not let fear control one’s actions.
Okonkwo is different because he starts off cruel and violent then changes for the better as the story progresses. First, Okonkwo’s attitude changes because of his own actions and thought. After Ikemefuna’s murder, “Okonkwo did not taste food for two days” (Achebe 63). He began to see the world through other peoples’ eyes. He felt terrible for killing a boy that had done nothing wrong, and who he had grown very fond of. Second, Okonkwo eventually felt bad for his action and finally began to understand guilt. He would often say to himself, “Okonkwo, you have become a woman” (Achebe 65) because he felt bad for his violent actions. Since he felt so terrible, he began to think that violence was …show more content…
He teaches readers to stay true to oneself and to not let fear control actions. He is an example of what not to do. He gave into the fear of becoming his father and it makes him perform actions without thinking. Okonkwo shows the audience what not to do in one’s life and how his life was ruined with fears. In conclusion, Okonkwo’s society deems some savage actions acceptable, that may not be seen as right in modern times. He is able to do things to his family to assert his dominance, but it gets him into tricky situations. The fear of becoming his father drives him to commit crimes against the village, be malicious and violent to his family, and in the end, kill
Okonkwo is different because he starts off cruel and violent then changes for the better as the story progresses. First, Okonkwo’s attitude changes because of his own actions and thought. After Ikemefuna’s murder, “Okonkwo did not taste food for two days” (Achebe 63). He began to see the world through other peoples’ eyes. He felt terrible for killing a boy that had done nothing wrong, and who he had grown very fond of. Second, Okonkwo eventually felt bad for his action and finally began to understand guilt. He would often say to himself, “Okonkwo, you have become a woman” (Achebe 65) because he felt bad for his violent actions. Since he felt so terrible, he began to think that violence was …show more content…
He teaches readers to stay true to oneself and to not let fear control actions. He is an example of what not to do. He gave into the fear of becoming his father and it makes him perform actions without thinking. Okonkwo shows the audience what not to do in one’s life and how his life was ruined with fears. In conclusion, Okonkwo’s society deems some savage actions acceptable, that may not be seen as right in modern times. He is able to do things to his family to assert his dominance, but it gets him into tricky situations. The fear of becoming his father drives him to commit crimes against the village, be malicious and violent to his family, and in the end, kill