But what the villagers do not know is that he never wanted to kills his son. In fact, he feels horrible about it. Okonkwo falls into a deep depression some days after Ikemefuna’s death. Okonkwo and Unoka are truly polar opposites. However, just like his father, Okonkwo is always at odds with the values of the people of the village.
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.
This shows that Jack has no respect for authority figures. As a result of Jack’s lack of respect for authority, he becomes very upset and begins his own tribe, by calling down Ralph and starting rumors. His tribe however becomes one of savagery and inhumanity. This result proves Jack has given up all respect and is rebelling by starting a new kind of authority, one of hate and violence. Jack is the embodiment of the rebel inside of every
In this quote Okonkwo is speaking with Obierika, one of his closest friends, about the slaughter of Ikemefuna. Okonkwo questions him why he did not join in with the other men to help with the sacrifice. Obierika uses the excuse that he was busy, and Okonkwo accuses him that he is not following the will of the Oracle in helping them. Yet, Okonkwo knows that he too did not want to partake in this ritual. He simply was not strong enough to say no because he believed that this would show weakness inside of him.
Protagonist: John 5. Antagonist: The World State 6. Write a paragraph describing the protagonist, including physical and individual character traits- John first enters the story by showing an interest in participating in the Indians religious ritual. The Indians do not allow him to be a part of their ritual, being the reason the tribe considers him an outsider. This demonstrates a huge cultural divide between him and the World State Society.
Two characters that show bewilderment throughout the course of the novel is Scout, and Bob Ewell. One character in the novel that shows ignorance throughout the course of the novel is Bob Ewell. "This morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he'd get him if it took the rest of his life. "(271) Bob Ewell was desperate for revenge and the help that Atticus was trying to prove Tom's innocence of something that Bob Ewell caused. This quote is important because it showed that Bob had no respect for Atticus, and his embarrassment in court was his main priority in getting him back.
Heart of Darkness Theme Essay: Race In Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, Marlow is shocked to see mans inhumanity to man from how he and his men treat or call the natives. And the mission of “civilizing” and “enlightening” native people because they are to savage for salvation. Also the divide of races of black and white adds to the themes that Conrad uses of light and darkness, good and evil. The use of white as good and black as evil is challenged when we view it through the theme of race. “A lot of people, mostly black and naked, moved about like ants.” Conrad's statement shows that the person (either Marlow or narrator) see the natives as tiny little insects.
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.
Okonkwo is characterized as being selfish because he only strives to be the opposite of his own “cowardly” father, Unoka. Okonkwo would do anything to be not seen as a weak, fearful or powerless. Achebe shows Okonkwo’s fear of being weak in the quote, “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down (Ikemefuna). He was afraid of being thought weak.” (Achebe 61). Okonkwo is characterized in this quote as being the type of person who will do anything so that others will not think of him as weak.
While his people expected him to show kindness , he grew harder and harsher which eventually led to his own army and brother killing him. [source K &N] Europeans described Shaka as bloodthirsty and incapable of emotions other than hate and vengeance. Mr. Flynn’s account was only written years after his experience and was influenced by Nathaniel Isaacs who urged him to write about Shaka in a negative way, for the purpose of gaining control. In Apartheid the government influenced their people to think about Shaka as a bloodthirsty tyrant in the series “Shaka Zulu”. [source L & P] Shaka was an intelligent, determined with the motivation to protect and lead his people to victory, whatever the cost.