A Literary Analysis Of Okonkwo's Things Fall Apart

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Angel Davis World Lit S2 Literary Analysis Essay Okonkwo is a self-made, well-respected member of the Umuofia clan. Even though he is firm and powerful, I believe that he suffers from internal fear. His greatest fear is that he will become like his father – lazy, unable to support his family, and cowardly. Okonkwo thinks that the ways of his father are feminine and he reacts how he does to avoid being anything like his father. This means that he works hard, provides for his family, is brave, and masculine in every way. Okonkwo is successful in many ways. He becomes very wealthy, holds a high-ranked position in the community, has three wives, and is known for his skill as a wrestler and warrior. But you will find that even through all of the positive qualities, his fear of being like his father is forces him to make some unnecessary and harmful decisions. His fear of being like his father leads him to assist in the murder of Ikemefuna – who was like a son, to beat his wives, is emotionally distant from his children, and to disown his oldest son. Okonkwo’s relationship with his family...

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