Okonkwo as a Father

Okonkwo was a very good father to all of his children. He was so caring he took in a child that wasn't even his, Ikemefuna, and let him live there for three years. Ikemefuna had become a son and brother to his new family. One day when Okonkwo was informed that Ikemefuna had to be killed he knew he couldn't do it himself however he didn't want to look weak. Once someone shot him Okonkwo finshed the job. This may seem really cruel and selfish for the fact that he didn't want to look weak; however, later in the text it says that he did not eat for two whole days after Ikemefuna had passed. Also later when he is talking to his friend Obeirka he tells her that he is extremely sad that it all had to happen the way it did. This shows that even though Okonkwo may come off as a mean and heartless guy he truly does care and love his children. Another example of Okonkwo being a good father is at the end of chapter 9 when he finds out that Ezinma, Ekwefi's daughter, is dying Okonkwo creates a medicine that will help Ezinma to sleep better so she won't have to suffer or feel the pain.

Okonkwo as a Man

Okonkwo does not represent the male population very well in his city of Umuofia. He is an abusive and controlling man because he fears that people will see him as weak. One night Okonkwo came home very angry and a new found excuse to beat his wife. Earlier in the day Okonkwo decided to go hunting. Unfortantly for his wife Ekwefi, Okonkwo is not a very good hunter. Later that night he comes home and is furious. His second wife Ekwefi doesn't help the situation by whispering under her breath "guns that never shot". With this little snide and rude comment Okonkwo became enraged with her and turned around and shot at her but he misses. This was not the first time Okonkwo was abusive toward women. Earlier in the book Okonkwo returned to his hut moticing that Ojiugo had left to go and get her hair braided. He also noticed that his supper was not waiting for him and hadn't even been cooked yet. Once Ojiugo returns to the hut Okonkwo beats her. He beats her for her carelessness and lack of loyalty to him especially during this sacred week. This causes concern for the members of Okonkwo's village because this is not something that regularly happens. The men in his village respect the women and usually do not beat them for the reasons Okonkwo had. Do you agree with the reason's that Okonkwo had for beat the two women? And do you agree with the decision of his village to force him to leave because of his actions?

Ezinma

I am still baffled by Chapter 11 where Ezinma goes through this dramatic scene with Chielo and her mother, Ekwefi. I understand that Ezinma is an ogbanje but after the medicine man found her iyi-uwa and her illness is cured I am confused why Chielo would come for Ezinma. I think the bond between Ekwefi and Ezinma is made clear when Chielo takes Ezinma from Okonkwo's compound. As the frightened girl travels on the priestess's back, her loving mother followed at a safe distance throughout the night. It is obvious Ekwefi fears her daughter's life and return for she does not remain in her hut and waits for her safe return. However, the question still arises why the priestess took the recovering Ezinma in the first place. Why would priestess need to take Ezinma into the caves? Taking a look back in Ezinma's character, she is recognized as respectful daughter who even Okonkwo is fond of. Numerous times, Okonkwo find's himself wishing Ezinma was one of his sons because of her personality and excellent work around the compound. By neglecting the fact that Ezinma is an ogbanje and Ekwefi's only child, she is a normal kid in the Umuofia tribe. Why then is there such a dramatic scene between Ezinma and Chielo the night she is recovering from her sickness? What prediction could you make about why the priestess came for the child that night and what the purpose was for bringing her into the caves.

Male and Female Crimes

At the end of chapter 13, the readers become aware of what female and male crimes are in the clan. It is stated, "Okonkwo had committed the female, because it had been inadvertent. He could return to the clan after seven years" (Achebe 124). This leaves the reader to assume that a male crime is more serious and most likely permanent exclusion from the clan. The clan's use of the terms "male" and "female" can possibly be linked to positions in society. Males are seen as the superiors and dominating gender in the tribe. Okonkwo was a very strong and respectable figure in Umoufia. Women must be submissive and stick to their place in the home, just as Okonkwo's many wives did and followed all the rules strictly. Do you agree that committing a crime accidentally, known as the "female", can be linked to the clan's belief that women are not as important as males?

Obierika as a Friend

From the time that Obierika is introduced, he is displayed as a good friend and a good man. He is loyal to Okwonkwo, but at the same time he gives him good advice on how he should go about his business. After Okwonkwo kills Ikemefuna, Obierika warns him that it was a bad decision for him to have done that, and that he should have had someone else do it. When Okwonkwo tries to say that he was only acting as a messenger to the earth goddess obierika replies, "But if the Oracle said that my son should be killed I would neither dispute it nor be the one to do it." (Achebe 67) He simply tells Okwonkwo that he needs to start testing the ancient rules that now seem to be outdated. Later in the story after Okwonkwo is forced into exile, Obierika is one of the people that burns down his house. He cannot figure out why he is doing it because he knows Okwonkwo did not mean to kill the boy and he still is friends with him. He realizes that the gods have told him to do it, so it must be done. Later in the story Obierika will try to find Okwonkwo and tell him to come back to the village becuase he wants to try and change the age old ideas that the tribe has. Will this happen, or will he just accept Okwonkwo's punishment for what it is and leave him to go?

Okwonkwo as a Father

Throughout the story, Okwonkwo generally only shows anger and frustration towards everyone. He repeatedly beats his wives, and he does not feel remorse about it. He also thinks his son Nwoye is weak and will not make a good man. Does this make him a bad parent? There are also times when he physically shows his love for his children, specifically when he chases after Ekwefi and Ezinma when Chielo takes her away. The next day, "Okwonkwo was also feeling tired, and sleepy, for although nobody else knew it, he had not slept at all last night. He had felt very anxious but did not show it" (Achebe 112). This clearly shows that he has love for his daughter, even if his actions do not reflect it. In the second half of the book I believe Okwonkwo will prove his love towards his children with an outward sign of emotion. What are your thoughts????

Obierika, a man of the clan?

Obierika, apart from Umuofia

In the beginning of Things Fall Apart, we meet a member of the Umuofia tribe, Obierika. He is a friend of Okonkwo and a father. But is Obierika a true character as a friend to Okonkwo? For three years, Okonkwo housed a boy from a neighboring clan named Ikemefuma. The Oracles of the Hills has declared that Umoufia must kill the boy. All of the clan's elder members, including Okonkwo, go out to fulfill the calling of the gods. Surprisingly, Obierika does not go. Okonkwo asks him why he questions the authority of the gods and Obierika responds, " ' I do not. Why should I? But the Oracle did not ask me to carry out its decision' " (Achebe 66). This shows that Obierika has a sense of insecurity of his clan's practices and beliefs. In chapter 13, Okonkwo commits a female crime and must leave for seven years. As a calling of the earth goddess, she sends the men of the clan to go to Okonkwo's house and destroy everything that is there. Obierika was one of them. This does not seem to me that Obierika is a real friend to Okonkwo or true to his beliefs. What could have possibly caused Obierika to join in on the destruction of his friend's home? Is there any connection to the last sentence in Chapter 13, "As the elders said, if one finger brings oil it soils the others" (Achebe 125)?