And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion – to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved. One of those things was gentleness and another was idleness (Chapter 2 Pg 3).” This quote shows the truth of how Oknonkwo was not really this cruel, tyrannical man. He lives his life in constant fear of being a failure the same as his dad. Who was very weak and considered lazy by his tribe. Even his father’s death has brought shame to Okonkwo.
No one wants to be seen as weak or a failure and be taken advantage of, that’s why people have their guards up. Things Fall Apart tells a story of a stubborn man (Okonkwo) responding to change. In Chinua Achebe’s book Things Fall Apart, he reveals Okonkwo’s fear of failure and of weakness. Okonkwo, with a deep insecurity of being like his father, known to be a poor, unsuccessful man and a failure in his society, gives his best to be successful and nothing else. Okonkwo passionately works hard to be at the top as a respected man (which he achieves) and the complete opposite of his disappointing father.
Leeann Kolher/Meier Theme Period 1 13 December 2011 Character Analyst: Okonkwo All people have defining characterizes about themselves. The book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe follows Okonkwo, a village leader who one of the most powerful men in Umuofia. Okonkwo’s defining characterizes are that he is diligent, stubborn and narcissistic. Okonkwo shows this though his words and actions in the novel. Okonkwo feels ashamed of his father, Unoka and, fears becoming like him.
Daniel Arrants Things Fall Apart Draft English Honors Pr.6 Intolerance has negatively impacted people in today’s society as well as in the past. Things Fall Apart is written to follow the life of Okonkwo and his fall from greatness in his community. He has 3 wives, many crops, and is a strong warrior, all traits of a typical wealthy man in the Ibo Tribe. Okonwko’s main goal in life is to not gain the characteristics of his father, who was weak and considered a failure to those around him. He lives in a society where men rule, and it is hard for him to show love or affection towards his family.
While reading Into The Wild, although I couldn’t particularly relate to Chris’ passion for secluded living, I was able to sympathize with the ultimate compulsion that lead him to live in the Magic Bus in Alaska. Chris McCandless' relationship with his father was strained at best. Chris was an opinionated, determined, and stubborn young man with high ideals and little room for compromise. His father was a hardworking man with high standards who shared his son's inability to compromise. Chris was always critical of his parents and their lifestyle, but that criticism turned to outright anger when Chris learned that his father had lived a double life with another family for a time.
He is afraid to show affection, as seen with Ezinma and Ikemefuna. In fact, he is so “possessed by the fear of his father’s contemptible life” (Achebe 18), that he does not heed Ezeudu’s advice regarding the death of Ikemefuna. Okonkwo is afraid of looking weak, so he kills Ikemefuna himself. His deep seated fear of resembling his father is stronger than even love for his adopted son. Okonkwo’s “whole life was dominated by […] fear of failure and of weakness” (Achebe 13), and while this initially aids him in his success, it is also the precise reason for all his immoral actions.
I think it takes a lot of courage to move to a different town and this is also something I can relate to because when I moved to McKinney from Tulsa Oklahoma I felt a little alone except for my family. Of course from Lincoln’s view of the situation it must be very different because he is surrounded by different cultures around him and was even separated from his best friend. Lincoln’s determination shows throughout taking side when he is determined to not give up or slack off because of a hurt to that causes him lots of pain. “I hurt my toe……” Lincoln tried to explain,” poor boy hurt his itsy bitsy toe.” Coach Yesuits said sarcastically. Lincoln feels irritated with him but is determined to stick it out and work hard at practice to do his best.
As a young man of only eighteen he had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat. Amalinze was the great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten, from Umuofia to Mexico. Okonkwo’s actions are also greatly driven by fear: the fear of becoming anything like his father, Unoka. His life was “dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness” and this causes him to act with extreme determination and live the harsh life because of his “fear of himself, least he should be found to resemble his father”. He constantly feared that others would have negative emotions towards him because of what his father did.
Okonkwo's tragic flaw is that he fears looking weak and letting emotions get the best of him is what lead him to his ultimate downfall. Okonkwo was a courageous and wealthy man throughout his tribe. In his culture, where titles, money, and wives were looked upon, Okonkwo received many titles and had several children with several wives. He worked hard for his success, for he was not born into it. His father, Unoka, was a well-known for his laziness in the village.
“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” (Angelou) The white missionaries coming to the igbo tribe really pushes the tribe’s unity to the limit. In Achebe’s book Things Fall Apart the Igbo tribe goes through many trials with change. Okonkwo is having an internal battle with himself while everything around is changing around him. Everyone he assumed wouldn’t change had adjusted their mind-set, and no one agrees with him in his violent approach to get rid of the white missionaries.