Things fall apart: Ikemefuna's death
In the killing of Ikemefuna, many aspects of Okonkwo’s character is exposed. I realised that despite Okonkwo’s tough exterior, he is very insecure, constantly worried about people’s perception of him. Also, through this, we see the softer side of Ok, which is his concern for Ikemefuna, a feeling which he constantly tries to suppress. Finally, Okonkwo’s stubbornness and his unquestioning loyalty to the tribe is also surfaced.
Firstly, the killing of Ikemefuna reveals that Okonkwo is an insecure individual. When Ogbuefi Ezeudu visited Okonkwo with news that the “Umuofia has decided to kill (Ikemefuna)”, he specifically advised Okonkwo to “not bear a hand in his death”. However, because Okonkwo was afraid of “being thought of as weak”, he killed Ikemefuna. In my opinion, this was probably done out of fear that if he did not do so, he would be thought of as “effeminate” and therefore had to kill Ikemefuna in order to prove his manliness. This leads me to conclude that Okonkwo is very concerned about how people in the clan perceived him so he constantly tries to be manly by not showing any signs of weaknesses.
Next, this event reveals Okonkwo’s softer side, which is his concern for his children. After receiving news of the tribe’s decision to kill Ikemefuna, Okonkwo “sat still for a very long time” thus revealing his inner conflict in deciding whether or not to kill Ikemefuna. On one hand he cares too much for Ikemefuna to kill him, but on the other, does not want to be looked upon as weak. Additionally, after Ikemefuna’s death, it was apparent that Okonkwo was deeply affected as he “did not taste any food for two days” and “did not sleep at night”, thinking of Ikemefuna. To me, therefore, this highlights that Okonkwo has a feminine side to him, and I feel that he in fact cares a lot for his children, and was very guilty for killing Ikemefuna, the surrogate son whom he had previously grown “very fond of”.
Furthermore, this event reveals Okonkwo’s stubborn
Firstly, the killing of Ikemefuna reveals that Okonkwo is an insecure individual. When Ogbuefi Ezeudu visited Okonkwo with news that the “Umuofia has decided to kill (Ikemefuna)”, he specifically advised Okonkwo to “not bear a hand in his death”. However, because Okonkwo was afraid of “being thought of as weak”, he killed Ikemefuna. In my opinion, this was probably done out of fear that if he did not do so, he would be thought of as “effeminate” and therefore had to kill Ikemefuna in order to prove his manliness. This leads me to conclude that Okonkwo is very concerned about how people in the clan perceived him so he constantly tries to be manly by not showing any signs of weaknesses.
Next, this event reveals Okonkwo’s softer side, which is his concern for his children. After receiving news of the tribe’s decision to kill Ikemefuna, Okonkwo “sat still for a very long time” thus revealing his inner conflict in deciding whether or not to kill Ikemefuna. On one hand he cares too much for Ikemefuna to kill him, but on the other, does not want to be looked upon as weak. Additionally, after Ikemefuna’s death, it was apparent that Okonkwo was deeply affected as he “did not taste any food for two days” and “did not sleep at night”, thinking of Ikemefuna. To me, therefore, this highlights that Okonkwo has a feminine side to him, and I feel that he in fact cares a lot for his children, and was very guilty for killing Ikemefuna, the surrogate son whom he had previously grown “very fond of”.
Furthermore, this event reveals Okonkwo’s stubborn