Okonkwo's Impulsiveness

“At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; seperated from law and justice he is the worst,” (Aristotle). In the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe the character Okonkwo lives a life that resembles Aristotle’s quote. Okonkwo is a high ranking citizens in the Igbo society, who eventually falls because of his tragic flaw. Okonkwo’s impulsiveness causes him to live an unsuccessful life as a husband, and as a clan member.
Firstly, Okonkwo’s impulsive need to show his strength hurts his relationships with his wives. Throughout the story Okonkwo beat his wives over meniscal problems. In the beginning, Okonkwo becomes angered over the death of a banana tree. When he finds his second wife Ekwefi committed the act he gave her a, “sound beating,”
Okonkwo’s failure to become a successful citizen is caused by his inability to respect fellow clan members and the gods. Okonkwo continuously lashes out at other citizens as they do not meet Okonkwo’s standards. In one instance his impulsive personality causes him to lash out at a citizen who holds no titles, telling him the meeting is, “only for men,” (Achebe 26). Okonkwo’s harshness concerns many of the higher ranked citizens, and they pressure Okonkwo to apologize. Later on, Okonkwo disrespects Ezeudu’s, a highly ranking clan member, who advises him not to participate in the killing of Ikemefuna. Okonkwo disregards Ezeudu's request and out of impulse cuts Ikemefuna down with his machete, as he was, “afraid of being thought weak,” (Achebe 63). Not only does this action disappoint Ezendu it also is thought to disappoint the gods, as in Igbo society no man is to kill a boy who calls them father. Eventually, the clan attributes Okonkwo's exile from the clan to his participation in the murder of Ikemefuna. Finally, toward the ending Okonkwo is unable to conform to the change in his clan’s society. When Okonkwo returns from his exile he finds his clan has become increasingly adopted into Christianity. Okonkwo is unable to compromise with his clan member and stay strong to the traditional ways of life. Then out of a final impulsive act, Okonkwo murders a white christian messenger in order to rebuke the christians. All of his clan member could only ask, “why did he do it?” and retreat away in fear (Achebe 205). Eventually Okonkwo commits suicide to escape from his crippled world. In his last moments he is rejected by his clan members for his impulsive actions that lead to disrespect of the gods and his clan