Wisest Man in Things Fall Apart

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Evan Thompson Mr. Messore College English IV 3/21/13 Wisdom Among the Ibo Tribe What makes a man wise? Is it his hard work? His determination? His hardships? To find an excellent example of a man who has, what seems to be, a lifetime of wisdom is Okonkwo from Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”. Unlike the elders among his tribe, Okonkwo is wise in his family, in his work, and in his life. This seems to be ironic in a sense, but usually the hardest of workers and strongest of body, are usually the strongest of heart and mind. Firstly, Okonkwo is wise in the way he treats his family. The man knows how to handle his many wives and children, as should be done in the Ibo tribe. But Okonkwo’s family is very diverse in their work ethic, and thoughts of life. He tries to work his eldest son, so he doesn’t become like his grandfather. He is forceful with his wives so he shows them he isn’t weak. Many of the other people in the tribe work and sleep, but Okonkwo knows that only the strong of will and mind survive. This is also reflected by the hard work and dedication he omits to his farm. Secondly, the wisdom of Okonkwo is expressed by the sweat of his brow. Okonkwo knows that to get anywhere in life, you must work hard. Most men do not grasp this thought until it is too late. But Okonkwo’s promise to himself to be nothing like his father has aided him to become one of the hardest workers in the tribe. His wisdom of the earth can be an analogy for his life. The wiser you are to help the seed you plant, the faster and stronger it will grow. Finally, Okonkwo expresses his wisdom through his everyday life. Okonkwo knows what his father was; a drunk, a beggar, and a partier. Okonkwo felt that just because his father had been a lazy man that it doesn’t mean that he should let his own life be ruined. He buckled down and made a name for himself. One of the
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