Okonkwo slays the boy in order to demonstrate his "manliness" to his peers, but is later deeply affected by his participation in the killing: "He did not sleep at night. He tried not to think about Ikemefuna, but the more he tried the more he thought about him.
Full Answer
Why does Okonkwo kill Ikemefuna in Things Fall Apart?
Why does Okonkwo kill Ikemefuna in Things Fall Apart? Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna because his afraid of looking weak in front of the other village men. Hover for more information.
How does Nwoye react to Ikemefuna's death?
When Okonkwo comes in after the murder, Nwoye knows without any word being spoken that Ikemefuna has been killed. Because of this, something seemed to give way inside [Nwoye], like the snapping of a tightened bow. Nwoye finds it difficult to accept the brutality of village life and will later reject his father's heritage to become a Christian.
What is Okonkwo's attitude toward the elders?
(1) Okonkwo's belief in and reliance upon tradition. When the elders decide that Ikemefuna should be killed, Okonkwo does not second guess or challenge their decision, just as he did not challenge the decision to place Ikemefuna with his family three years before.
Why does Okonkwo take the machete and kill the men?
Afraid of looking weak in front of the other men, Okonkwo takes out his machete and participates in the killing. Okonkwo does this because he was so shamed and scarred as a child by his shiftless father, a man nobody respected.
Did Okonkwo kill ikemefuna?
In achieving success, fame, and power, Okonkwo habitually resorts to and comes to rely on thoughtless violence. Without regard for consequences, Okonkwo acts – beats his son, repudiates his father, kills Ikemefuna, butchers the messenger. He becomes the epitome of violent action and as such ultimately destroys himself.
What crime did Okonkwo commit?
During the Week of Peace, Okonkwo commits the crime of beating his wife. This is his first crime against the earth. As punishment, he is told to make a ritual sacrifice, which he does. A few days before the new year, Okonkwo threatens his second wife Ekwefi with a gun.
What things fall apart teach us?
There are many major lessons to be taken from Things Fall Apart. One is a historical lesson about how colonialism impacted Africans, specifically the Igbo tribe. Another lesson is how violence and pride can bring down an individual, specifically the book’s protagonist, Okonkwo.
What does Okonkwo death symbolize?
Okonkwo’s death is symbolic of the death of a culture. He stands for the old ways of the culture: he follows their philosophies and holds their belief system. His values of manliness and bravery are the values of the Ibo people.
What is the main plot of Things Fall Apart?
Okonkwo is a wealthy and respected warrior of the Umuofia clan, a lower Nigerian tribe that is part of a consortium of nine connected villages. He is haunted by the actions of Unoka, his cowardly and spendthrift father, who died in disrepute, leaving many village debts unsettled.
Does Okonkwo regret killing ikemefuna?
After killing Ikemefuna, Okonkwo is very upset. He doesn’t eat for two days and has difficulty sleeping. He was very fond of Ikemefuna and he knew that this boy had been a positive influence on Nwoye and that they too had become great friends.
Why does uchendu call Okonkwo a child?
Next, Uchendu addresses Okonkwo. He asks his nephew why a common name for children is Nneka, meaning “Mother is supreme” when only men can be the head of a family.
Why does Okonkwo kill Ikefemuna?
Okonkwo is advised not to participate in the murder of Ikefemuna, but he actually kills Ikefemuna because he is "afraid of being thought weak. ". When the white man brings Christianity to Umuofia, Okonkwo is opposed to the new ways.
How does Okonkwo isolate himself?
Instead, he isolates himself by exhibiting anger through violent, stubborn, irrational behavior. Okonkwo demands that his family work long hours despite their age or limited physical stamina, and he nags and beats his wives and son, Nwoye, who Okonkwo believes is womanly like his father, Unoka.
Why is Okonkwo ashamed of his father?
He is quick to anger, especially when dealing with men who are weak, lazy debtors like his father. However, Okonkwo overcompensates for his father's womanly (weak) ways, of which he is ashamed, because he does not tolerate idleness or gentleness.
What is Okonkwo's flaw?
Okonkwo's tragic flaw is his fear of weakness and failure. In his thirties, Okonkwo is a leader of the Igbo community of Umuofia. Achebe describes him as "tall and huge" with "bushy eyebrows and [a] wide nose [that gives] him a very severe look.".
How many wives does Okonkwo have?
Okonkwo is renowned as a wrestler, a fierce warrior, and a successful farmer of yams (a "manly" crop). He has three wives and many children who live in huts on his compound.
What is the tragic flaw in Things Fall Apart?
A tragic hero holds a position of power and prestige, chooses his course of action, possesses a tragic flaw, and gains awareness of circumstances that lead to his fall. Okonkwo's tragic flaw is his fear of weakness and failure.
