Okonkwo And Umuofia

Okonkwo the protagonist of Things Fall Apart represents the values of tradition and the Culture of Umuofia. Chinua Achebe wrote the character of Okonkwo to be the embodiment of Umuofia culture. It is due to this that when the Christian missionaries come to Nigeria, Okonkwo is placed into the spotlight as an antihero. Antihero’s are characters of an event that are not moral, and their actions are not justifiable, however the audience still identifies with them. Okonkwo fits this description in his violent acts, and behavior. Okonkwo being the manifestation of Igbo culture must face the fight of his life against the European missionaries, although the fight is fruitless Okonkwo is renowned for his single handed undertaking of the revolution against European influences.
Due to his actions Okonkwo is not a perfect person, he is far from perfect. “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children.” (pg. 13). This quote shows that Okonkwo was prone to violent acts against his others, even his own family. In today’s society physically abusing a spouse is grounds for divorce if not being arrested for assault. To physically abuse a child is even worse. It is due to the criminal justice system of the modern world that Okonkwo seems to be the villain in a story. However, Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart does not have cut and dry good and bad characters. Only those that wish to continue on with Igbo culture like Okonkwo and those that wish to modernize Umuofia like the rest of his kinsmen. Okonkwo’s story line is riddled with violent acts that would be seen as unjustifiable in contemporary society. Ikemefuna the only person in Okonkwo’s life that is described to be in Okonkwo’s liking was killed by Okonkwo himself. Ikemefuna, and Ezinma are the only family Okonkwo is ever