Examples Of Suicide In Things Fall Apart
Suicide, the most extreme form of escape. In the book Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo, a well-off member of the Ibo tribe, took this course of action. Okonkwo decided to kill himself after executing a messenger from the District Commissioner, which proved to be rather selfish. Okonkwo taking his life was the most selfish action one could take in the effort to escape punishment, the future, and the ridicule.
Some could argue that it takes great courage to take their own life, but in Okonkwo’s case it showed his weakness. If one kills himself to avoid punishment for his actions, then he is weak. Okonkwo, the prodigal son of Umuofia, became a coward when he took his life. He used suicide as a method to avoid being punished for
his crimes. In the Ibo tribe the action of suicide is considered disrespectful and evil. “‘It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offence against the Earth….’” (207; pt. 3, ch. 25). Obierika told the District Commissioner that it is against tradition to bury a man that has taken his own life
Some could argue that it takes great courage to take their own life, but in Okonkwo’s case it showed his weakness. If one kills himself to avoid punishment for his actions, then he is weak. Okonkwo, the prodigal son of Umuofia, became a coward when he took his life. He used suicide as a method to avoid being punished for
his crimes. In the Ibo tribe the action of suicide is considered disrespectful and evil. “‘It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offence against the Earth….’” (207; pt. 3, ch. 25). Obierika told the District Commissioner that it is against tradition to bury a man that has taken his own life