Things Fall Apart: Argumentative Analysis

I think Okonkwo was really trying to kill Ekwefi. He was already angry from his banana tree, but his wife talking back to him would definitely tip him over the edge. The last time he was angry, he beat his wife during the Week of Peace. It is well known that punishment for this could be the gods destroying the village, despite this he beats his wife anyway. It is obvious that when he is angry he has no self control. In addition Okonkwo believes that a man is only a man if he can keep his women in line. So when Ekwefi talks back, she is challenging his authority and basically emasculating him, the thing that Okonkwo fears most. The main argument for Okonkwo not trying to kill his wife is that he used a gun despite knowing that he is a bad shot,