Obierika In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

641 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: A speech about bullying

What would you do if your lifestyle as you know it was under attack? Most of all people have all faced the occasional bully who insults their hair, laughs at their braces or teases them for their various freckles. People can get past the little things like heckling, because deep down the bully is just looking for attention and control. Getting past an entire other culture insulting you and pushing you to do things that you think are immoral, is a very different circumstance. Sometimes we have to give in to stay safe, because too much retaliation can lead to some terrible consequences. In Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart”, Okonkwo’s go-to friend, Obierika, changes to stay safe. Obierika is a simple man and a very different person from the main character, Okonkwo. Although their differences, they are the best of friends and Obierika frequently speaks his mind about …show more content…

When the missionaries arrived, the village didn’t think much of it and let them plant their church. As they started getting persistent in their endeavors, the ibo people became wary and came to find that letting them wasn’t such a good idea after all. Obierika has the same feelings. Since he wasn’t strictly traditional in the first place, he decided that retaliation wasn’t a good idea either. Obierika recognized that his culture was under attack but because the missionaries are too powerful he decided that fighting back was not a good decision. In Chapter 25, Part 3, Obierika says to the district commissioner about Okonkwo’s suicide, “We cannot bury him. Only strangers can. We shall pay your men to do it. When he has been buried we will then do our duty to him. We shall make sacrifices to cleanse the desecrated land.” (Achebe 208). Obierika is saying that he wants to follow the laws and traditions of the Ibo people but he will comply with the missionaries as

Show More
Related

  • Ibo Traditions In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    344 Words  | 1 Pages

    Another facet required for harmonious interactions between contrasting cultures is the awareness of differing customs. The majority of white missionaries did not understand nor aim to become educated on the Ibo customs. Not only did missionaries bring in an alien judicial that the Ibo were completely unaccustomed to, the judicial system also did not adhere to their traditional customs or laws. It is blatantly obvious that the Christians had no intentions on respecting Ibo tradition, as Obierika explains when Okonkwo questions him about the white man’s judicial system “Does the white man understand our custom about land?” while Obierika responds “how can he when he does not even speak our tongue? But he says that our customs are bad…” (Achebe 176) According to Ibo tradition there are certain customs that must be followed for specific situations, such as land disputes. In an Ibo tribe if there is a land dispute the egwugwu, who govern the tribe, will give both

    Read More

  • Okonkwo Character Analysis

    665 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ionaries that Okonkwo had left and that he would take the missionaries to where Okonkwo was. Obierika led them to Okonkwo’s final resting place in the forest. “We are thrust from what is figured as an intimate, insider’s view of the Igbo life to a jarringly alien one.”(Carey Snyder Things Fall Apart Blooms literature).Okonkwo felt that the Igbo people were doomed because they would not fight against the Christians so Okonkwo Hung himself from a tree. The commissioner was writing a book called “The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger(Achebe 209)” and that “One could almost write a whole chapter on him(Achebe 208)” meaning with what Okonkwo had done to the missionaries and against Christianity. Okonkwo and the missionaries both deserve part of the blame for the fall of the Igbo people and Obierika is very justified in placing blame on both of them.

    Read More

  • Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    1018 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Obierika and Okeke bring a peace to the community and themsel and religious lives around them, while Okonkwo and Enoch strike fear and confusion into the communities around them. Okeke and Obierika are from two different worlds but their balanced character makes them similar to one another. Okeke is of Igbo descent but has begun to work as a translator for the Christians.

    Read More

  • How Does Okonkwo's Change In Things Fall Apart

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    Okonkwo fought long and hard in a valiant effort. He thought of starting a war with the white men. However his friends talked of “how they wiped out Abame [a neighboring village]” (164) and that a war would not work against them. The anger with in Okonkwo showed as he tried hard to tolerate the new ways of the missionaries. However Okonkwo soon realized that the fight could not be won if nobody was willing to fight. This lead Okonkwo to do the most cowardly thing a man could do, Okonkwo took his own life.

    Read More

  • Adapt or Stay The Same?

    1303 Words  | 3 Pages

    When the missionaries arrive in Umuofia, Okonkwo’s conflict between fighting back and adjust to the changing society becomes even more extreme. Throughout the book, when Okonkwo feels like he has power, he desires more control and leadership over his community. For instance, Achebe writes, “Even in his first year in exile he had begun to plan for his return. The first thing he would do would be to rebuild his compound on a more magnificent scale. He would build a bigger barn than he had had before and he would build huts for two new wives. Then he would show his wealth by initiating his sons into the ozo society. Only the really great man in the clan were able to do this. Okonkwo saw clearly the high esteem in which he would ...

    Read More

  • Cultural Differences In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    He was in great conflict with the ideas of the white men and the missionaries. Okonkwo saw that their beliefs had not only changed the daily life of the Ibo, but it also changed the people themselves: “He mourned for the warlike men of Umuofia, who had so unaccountably become soft like women” (Achebe 183). The author uses strong diction to compare the men before and after colonization. This quote also portrays Okonkwo’s opinion towards the cultural collision. He values strength and masculinity immensely because of his fear of appearing weak like his father Unoka. When he describes that the men of Umuofia changed to be soft like women, this shows how much he dishonors the Western ideas and how it has taken over the village. He made an attempt to get rid of the Western influence by urging the tribe to fight like men, but they refuse to. He was determined and still attempted to furthermore encourage the people of Umuofia to revolt against the new culture. He realizes that his attempts to return the village back to the way it was before were futile. He knew that Christianity was tearing his people apart, but knew he was incapable of making change to help his people. Okonkwo then starts to feel hopeless and abandoned by his clan, which causes him to commit suicide by hanging himself: “Obierika… turned suddenly to the District Commissioner and said ferociously: ‘That man was one of the greatest men

    Read More

  • Changes In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    1257 Words  | 3 Pages

    “They will take him outside Umofia, as is the custom, and kill him there. But I want you to have nothing to do with it. He calls you his father. (57)” This quote explains that Ogbuefi expresses concern for Okonkwo, because the Oracle explains how it would be wrongful of Okonkwo to kill Ikemefuna. “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak. (61)” This quote portrays that Okonkwo completely disregarded what Ogbuefi and the Oracle cautioned him about, because he was too concerned about his status of what others thought of him. “At last the man was named and people sighed “E-u-u, Ezeudu is dead.” A cold shiver ran down Okonkwo’s back as he remembered the last time the old man had visited him. (121)” At this point in the story, it appears that Okonkwo is starting to realize his wrongdoings, primarily because he takes religion and his spiritual life very seriously, in regards towards the Oracle. Okonkwo begins to lose trust within his family, especially with Nwoye. (As mentioned in the previous paragraph.) In the beginning of the book, Okonkwo relied on Ikemefuna to help Nwoye become more masculine and tough. After Ogbuefi warns Okonkwo about taking part in the murder, Okonkwo thinks about what could happen to him once the gods find out. Once again, Okonkwo lets his emotions

    Read More

  • The Stubborness of Okonkwo

    389 Words  | 1 Pages

    …the missionary had immediately paid him a visit. He had just sent Okonkwo's son, Nwoye, who was now called Isaac, to the new training college for teachers in Umuru. And he had hoped that Okonkwo would be happy to hear of it. But Okonkwo had driven him away with the threat that if he came into his compound again he would be carried out of it. (157)

    Read More

  • A Year After The Death Of Okonkwo

    1679 Words  | 4 Pages

    A year after the death of Okonkwo the Igbo’s way of life faces extinction, the rise of Christianity has destroyed the faith in the old gods of the tribe except for a devout few. Obierika, Ezinma, Ekwefi are the last members of the Igbo people dedicated to their Gods, resisting the molestation of their belief by the missionaries. Those devoted few left gathered around Okonkwo’s grave outside of his Obi to mourn for the loss of Okonkwo’s life, their culture, and the loss of Nwoye to the Christian faith. “Ezinma, Ekwefi, we have gathered here to mourn for Okonkwo: Ekwefi’s husband, Ezinma’s father, and my friend. And not only for this great man we mourn but for the loss of our kinsman as well” Obierika said briefly pausing to catch his breath. “Okonkwo was a proud man devoted to the Igbo way of life, he was a man of action whose hot blood would never sit still, a roaring flame who warmed us all with his glow and burned for the Igbo people and their bonds”. “As a young man he threw the cat, and as an elder he was close to the highest title and was prosperous, he had many children to his name, Okonkwo was the model example of an Igbo man”. “An example many of our kinsman turned away from in favor of a new faith. Ezinma and Ekwefi we face the end of our beliefs” Obierika stated. “We must fight then to uphold our culture” Ezinma proclaimed. “We cannot fight anymore” retorted Obierika. “We are the only members left and cannot afford to throw away our lives, why could you possibly want to fight?” “If a child sneaks up and burns me, I sneak up and burn him” That is what my father would’ve done, he would’ve fought using his machete fearlessly chopping at the false God’s children, that’s what a man would do” Ezinma announced. “You are n...

    Read More

  • Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

    741 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... a rat when it was caught by the tail and dashed against the floor”(Achebe, 63). He refused to eat for two days straight and only drank palm wine. This shows that he felt he did something horrific and knew it was wrong, but only because society and culture dictated that he had to kill Ikemefuna. Thus, Okonkwo evokes sympathy within the reader because he is not only a product of society.

    Read More

  • Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    865 Words  | 2 Pages

    Though many may interpret Okonkwo as a tragic hero are drawn to him, Obierika deserves more sympathy from the reader than Okonkwo. Obierika suffers just as Okonkwo does under the thumb of the missionaries, but he lacks the selfish focus that drives most of Okonkwo’s actions. Ultimately, Obierika’s venerability springs from his ability to see the compromise that will allow the Ibo to find a method for adaptation to the inevitable changes brought by the missionaries.

    Read More

  • Cultural Collision In Things Fall Apart

    821 Words  | 2 Pages

    He saw that the British had the same thinking as the Ibo on how their own culture is correct but all others are wrong.  While Obierika was recognizing this his friend, Okonkwo,  committed suicide.  This was the turning point where Obierika realized that everyone needs to be able to change and this event was definity change.  He betrayed some of his traditions and decided that Okonkwo should have a good burial even though it was against their belief to bury someone who committed suicide.  “We he has be buried we will then do our  duty by him.  We shall make sacrifices to cleanse the desecrated land” (Achebe 208).

    Read More

  • Okonkwo In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    526 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Chinua Achebe’s book, Things Fall Apart, the main character is Okonkwo. He has three wives and ten children. In his town he is part of the nine masked leaders called the Egwugwu in their government. He is a man of high status and has a big ego. Okonkwo is a tragic hero because he sees his role in his downfall. During the book Okonkwo recognizes his high status, his pride, and his flaws toward his undoing.

    Read More

  • Nigerian Culture In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

    1540 Words  | 4 Pages

    This crime from Okonkwo left him away from his homeland for seven years, and during his escape, his old culture would soon be evolved. This unintentional action also played a domino effect, first moving his family away and having his home destroyed, then having his son, Nwoye turn back on him and become a missionary in Umuofia joining the white culture. Achebe describes how Nwoye declines Okonkwo being his father towards Obierika who is doing favors for the family (144). Hearing this, his father seems to not be harmed and is disappointed in his son. These missionaries began assembling into Umuofia, convincing the clansmen that there is only one God, and He is the creator of everything unlike what the clansmen had believed. They had a god for everything, but they now were being persuaded. Hearing this, Okonkwo is in shock and believes that the only way to solve the issue is to chase the men out of the village some way (Achebe 146). Nwoye is attracted to the new religion but has yet to reveal it to his father for fear of him. When Okonkwo heard the news, he is infuriated with anger. “… sprang to his feet and gripped him by the neck”

    Read More

  • The Effect of Colonialism in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    This discussion of the white man not understanding the customs and traditions, comes ever since the arrival of the colonialists, Obierika seems to voice Achebe's own thoughts on colonialism. Upset by the fact that the white men have come and completely disregarded the Igbo sense of justice, Obierika points out the impossibility of the colonialists understanding anything about the Umuofians without speaking their language. Then he points out the foolishness of belittling unfamiliar customs.

    Read More

More about Obierika In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

Open Document