Masculinity In Things Fall Apart Essay

Okonkwo often commits violent acts when he is attending public gatherings such as festivals, or while a sacred holiday is being observed. Some of his violent acts occurring during these times include: beating his wife during the week of peace, killing Ikemefuna, and accidentally killing Ezeudu’s son. His violent tendencies often result in consequences for him and even his family. The week of peace is a very important to Igbo culture. “We should observe a week in which a man does not say a harsh word to his neighbour. We live in peace with our fellows to honour our great goddess of the earth without whose blessing our crops will not grow.” (22) During this week, Okonkwo’s wife, Ojiugo, went to plait her hair without telling him where she was going and when she would return. Okonkwo was blinded with anger and profoundly beat her upon her arrival home. All the commotion amongst his two other wives drew the attention of the neighbors to Okonkwo’s compound, making the incident become public to the village. This violent act helps develop a theme portraying the importance of masculinity in the Igbo society. As a consequence for his carelessness, Okonkwo is reprimanded by the priest, has to make compensations for disrespecting a goddess, and the Igbo community views him as a man who does not
respect the gods. The plot of the story was advanced when Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna because afterwards, Okonkwo shows an emotion other than anger; he shows remorse for what he has done.
“Okonkwo did not taste any food for two days after the death of Ikemefuna. He drank palm-wine from morning till night, and his eyes were red and fierce like the eyes of a rat when it was caught by the tail and dashed against the floor.” (46) Some major consequences Okonkwo must deal with after killing the boy he once looked upon as a son, is losing the trust of his first-born son, Nwoye, and having to live with the guilt of killing Ikemefuna. This guilt caused Okonkwo to feel weak, something he never wanted to
be. A third act of violence Okonkwo committed was killing Ezeudu’s son during a celebration of life. Even though this act of violence was a complete accident, Okonkwo and his family must be exiled and live in what was his mother’s homeland for seven years. This event introduces new characters and themes to the plot of the book. Okonkwo learns new lessons while he is with his mother’s family. For example, he learns that he should take care of his family more than he does, because it is his fault that they are in exile. Okonkwo’s many violent acts, intentional or not, cause great consequences, remorse, and embarrassment to him and his family. While he is trying to prove his masculinity he gets carried away and does more harm than good in the end.