Theme Of Masculinity In Things Fall Apart

In the time of imperialism and when the Europeans came to the African, tribes after year they still fought their way of culture by standing their ground. “Black men struggle with masculinity so much. The idea that we must always be strong really pressured us all down- it keeps us from growing (BrainyQuotes).” In the Igbo culture the men are the center of that makes the theme of the book masculinity. They are the ones who farm, take care of their wifes and Masculinity is presented in the way they do their traditional activities, how Okonkwo acts towards his family and others and how they reacts to situations.

Traditional ceremonies are a big part of masculinity in the Igbo culture. A ceremony they do is when a young man is old enough
In the situation with Ikemefuna the men there are all of a high title and they need to do what they were assigned to do. They do things to be seen as the brave leaders no matter how much it will hurt, “You, who are known in all nine villages for your valor in war? How can a man who has killed five men in war falls to pieces because he has added a boy to his number? Okonkwo, you have became a woman indeed.” Pg. 65 This quote means that Okonkwo tried everything to be a man, for his village and elders around him and when he shows any emotions others think he is weak. The other man who Okonkwo talks to knows how he reacted to the killing and tries to do other things to look masculine. Okonkwo handles situations in his house very bad which creates worse situations. His temper puts him in bad places, “ Okonkwo's gun had exploded and a piece of iron had pierced the boy's heart.” Pg. 114 Okonkwo had a tiff with one of his wifes and used the gun that never shot straight and reacted violently to any mistakes his wifes make. He protects and helps his family when something is wrong. He went with his wife to make sure his daughter was ok, “ A strange and sudden weakness had descended on Ekwefi as she stood gazing in the direction of the voices like a hen whose only chick had been carried away like a kite.” Pg. 102 This quote is about how Okonkwo will help and take care of his wifes and children when things get bad for them. He is the man of the house and this is where his masculinity shines through because he is going to all ends to help his family. Okonkwo reacts well to his exile. He was working on getting back to his own village, “ He had been ruled by a great passion-to become one of the lords of the clan. That had been his life-spring. And he had all but achieved it. Then everything had been broken. He had been cast out of his clan like a fish