Okonkwo's Guilt

Although Okonkwo appears tough and uncaring in many situations, he is more sensitive than he appears. Okonkwo felt pressure when he killed Ikemefuna because he wanted to be seen as tough to his other clan members. He “tried not to think about Ikemefuna, but the more he tried the more he thought about him… Now and then a cold shiver descended on his head and spread down his body”(63). Okonkwo tries to push away his feelings and emotions because he always has a constant fear of being weak. The death of Ikemefuna not only affects Okonkwo’s mental state, but his physical being as well. The guilt he feels for what he has done is expressed when a “cold shiver” runs through his body. As much as Okonkwo forces himself to be tough and uncaring, the