Character Analysis Of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
analytical Essay
1780 words
Within every man is a story to be told; one that is evolving day by day and night by night. Each new experience births a fresh reaction that represents a strand of generational DNA. As the chain of events progresses, two things may occur. An individual may follow in path of this genetic pull or dislike it so much that he/she may stray far away from it. In the case of Okonkwo, it was the latter.
Because Okonkwo did not want to follow in his father’s footsteps as a lazy, gentle, and poor man, he decided to create his own legacy. Some may consider this honorable; but as Okonkwo’s character evolves, it is clear that he is crippled by his own desire to escape his father’s shadow. He envisioned his father as weak but his own mindset in turn has weakened him in many areas. This is the narrative in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. The generational traits impact the characterizations of each individual in such a profound way. Okonkwo may have hated the legacy his father left behind but there was no where for him to run away from the bloodline that flowed so heavily through him.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that each new experience births a fresh reaction that represents generational dna. an individual may follow in path of this genetic pull or dislike it so much that he/she may stray far away.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is crippled by his own desire to escape his father's shadow. the generational traits impact the characterizations of each individual in such a profound way.
- Analyzes okonkwo's father, unoka, according to the umuofia clan, embodied what it meant to be a useless man.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was motivated by the lackluster efforts of his father. his deepest thoughts spewed hatred for unoka that drove him to be the exact opposite.
- Explains that okonkwo was not judged according to his father's worth, which allowed him to become a well-respected man.
- Explains that okonkwo was quick to anger and had no patience for unsuccessful men. he once beat his wife for not preparing his meal during the week of peace.
- Analyzes how okonkwo knew how to kill a man's spirit. he was sharp with his tongue and didn't respect men without titles.
- Explains that the arrival of ikemefuna revealed a great deal about the character of okonkwo, who was chosen to keep and raise the boy until they decided what to do with him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was fond of ikemefuna, but he never revealed his approval of his son's growth.
- Describes how umuofia decided to kill ikemefuna, who lived with okonkwo for three years and was now well-adjusted to his environment.
- Narrates how a wise man warned and instructed okonkwo to have nothing to do with the death of ikemefuna. the boy was afraid to look back as if his adopted father left him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was more concerned about his image amongst his peers than his love for ikemefuna. it takes a special kind of person to have the courage to kill someone who calls him father.
- Narrates how okonkwo couldn't sleep at night because he kept thinking about ikemefuna. he began to question things internally after the death of his dear friend.
- Explains that okonkwo was a warrior who was not scared of blood. however, he was exiled with his family and could not return until after seven years.
- Describes how missionaries settled in umuofia and won over many converts. okonkwo's son nwaye became a convert and disowned his father.
- Analyzes how okonkwo excelled in the same culture that troubled his son. now that the church grew, it challenged the customs of umuofia.
- Narrates how okonkwo returned to umuofia and felt like his father who didn't fit in the society he was a part of. he fought against the church, and anger was at an all-time high.
- Narrates how okonkwo killed one of the umuofia clan's men, despite the uproar and the plan of action, the clan failed to support him.
- Describes how okonkwo felt he had no other choice but to kill himself. he hung himself on a tree which was considered an abomination.
- Opines that okonkwo was a strong willed man, but his constant opposition to becoming like his father brought him sorrow and ultimately led to his death. his fate was sealed since the beginning.
The Umuofia people valued manhood of which Unoka knew nothing about. His characteristics were frowned upon in this culture. Unoka was known as ‘agbala’ which was a term used to often describe a woman but in this case symbolized a man who took no title. Men were respected for being warriors and leaders. Unoka was a borrower of money who could never keep money nor return it. He was also a coward who feared the sight of blood. Unoka even failed at the most basic of responsibilities which was to provide for his family. It may be considered that he was born at a time that was not suitable for his
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- Analysis Of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayThe main character, Okonkwo, is a wealthy and respected warrior of the Umuofia clan. Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, died as a poor man with a reputation of being an emotional coward. Okonkwo is embarrassed of his father’s reputation, therefore he adopts opposite ideals. Okonkwo becomes everything his father was not; strong, productive, and a provider. He achieves great social and financial success by embracing these ideals. Throughout the village, Okonkwo is seen as powerful. Although Okonkwo is powerful, he is imprisoned by the social pressure of the village to portray
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe, an african novelist, conveyed a greater understanding of african culture through his first novel things fall apart.
- Analyzes how okonkwo, a wealthy and respected warrior of the umuofia clan, is embarrassed of his father's reputation and adopts opposite ideals.
- Explains okonkwo is one of the most powerful men in the tribe because of his personal achievements. he brought honor to his village by throwing analyze the cat.
- Explains that okonkwo was a wealthy farmer, had two barns full of yams, and had just married his third wife. he had taken two titles and showed incredible prowess in two inter-tribal wars.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's large family validated his wealth and ability to provide for his family, unlike his father who only passed down debts. being able to fight, work hard, and provide gave him his influence and power.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is powerful, but lacks freedom. he is imprisoned by societal influences and overcompensates for his father's weak ways.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is worried about being perceived as weak, he feels the need to always assert his dominance, and cuts the boy down despite the oracle's message.
- Analyzes how okonkwo strives to make his way in a world that seems to value masculinity, rejecting everything for which he believes his father stood, and adopts opposite ideals.
724 wordsRead More - The Theme Of Fear In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayFrom an early age, Okonkwo was ashamed of his father, Unoka, who was unable even to feed his family. The unpredictability of receiving enough food at a young age was enough to inspire fear and embarrassment in Okonkwo who associated this embarrassment with his father and was given further justification for these feelings when he went out into Umuofia, discovering that the
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the character of okonkwo in chinua achebe's things fall apart was driven by fear, a fear of change and losing his self-worth.
- Explains how okonkwo was ashamed of his father, unoka, who was unable to feed his family. the unpredictability of receiving enough food at a young age was enough to inspire fear and embarrassment.
- Analyzes how okonkwo rejected the ways of his father, who was deeply indebted to other members of umuofia, holding no titles, to the point where his whole life was dominated by fear, failure, and weakness.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's disparity between his true and warped motivations led him to behave in ways which shocked other members of umuofia with his apparent disregard for others.
- Analyzes how the ibo ways faded through the novel, reaching a head in part two, bringing the downfall of okonkwo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo didn't argue with the banishment that was the standard punishment when he accidentally killed another umuofia member during a funeral ceremony. obierika mourned his loss and questioned the reasoning behind the punishment.
- Narrates how okonkwo's rebellion against his father continued when he was deprived of umuofia and the opportunity to fulfill his passion of becoming a clan lord.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's suicide conformed to the ways of umuofia. the white men attracted the lowest positions and those who questioned the previous order.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's resistance to change was irreversible and his final downfall as the ibo ways changed.
1481 wordsRead More - In Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is an extremely complex character who experiences a variety of emotions which he has a difficult time controlling. He experiences a never ending battle of psychosomatic symptoms, starting with his obsession over the conflict of the past with his father, Unoka. Okonkwo portrays himself as a heroic, strong warrior, only to mask the feelings of intense anger, fear, and selfishness that provokes him, which inevitably leads him down the same path as his father. He feels a strong hatred towards his father because he believes that his father had no masculine qualities, he owed everyone money, and owned no titles. Achebe states:
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo, in achebe's things fall apart, is a complex character who experiences psychosomatic symptoms, starting with his obsession over the conflict of the past with unoka.
- Analyzes how okonkwo believes that no man should ever be like his father. he defeats amalinze the cat in a wrestling match, gaining respect from those in his society.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's instincts of survival, satisfaction of his needs, his aggressiveness, murder and conquest are all provoked by one emotion he hides very well, fear.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's vile actions driven by fear of loosing his hard work and titles inevitably causes his downfall.
- Analyzes how okonkwo strives to avoid being like his father, which ironically leads him to be even weaker when he commits suicide.
692 wordsRead More - Okonkwos Tragic Lifenarrative essayOkonkwo, in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, was faced with many hardships in his life. When growing up he had to deal with a lazy father, then when he was older he had to kill a boy that called him father, and he also accidentally killed a young boy from his village. These events played a very tragic role in Okonkwos life.
In this essay, the author
- Narrates okonkwo's tragic life in things fall apart by chinua achebe. his father, unoka, was lazy and improvident, and his wife and children had barely enough to eat.
- Narrates how okonkwo became attached to a boy that he had taken in when udo’s wife was murdered. the boy, ikemefuna, still missed his family but was beginning to feel at home.
- Narrates how okonkwo was a sick man in today's society. when he shot his gun, the crowd cried of agony and shouts of horror.
- Opines that people today would never want to walk in okonkwo's shoes, but people back then thought he was brave and didn't hold a grudge against him.
686 wordsRead More - Culture In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayWhen you think of the word “culture” what comes to mind? Many elements can contribute to
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the role of men and women in achebe's novel, things fall apart, in the ibo village of umoufia.
- Explains that men's work took them away from the villages, and it was dangerous. they would travel hundreds of males following the buffalo to ensure they would collect enough food for their villages.
- Opines that plains indian women worked hard, but were held in high esteem for the elemental role they played.
- Analyzes how the umoufia believe in polytheism, the worship of many gods, and the importance of ritual and religion in the ibo society.
- Explains that religion in the ibo village has been passed down from generation to generation, which is probably why they are committed to their beliefs.
- Compares the ibo culture of umoufia and the north american first nations culture.
1337 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayOkonkwo crumbled under the newly developed society of the white man in Umofia. He could no longer act on his fury, vehemence or impetuousness, because acting in those non-compliant ways got him no further advancement and was frowned upon. Okonkwo lost his mental composure and everything in his life went to pieces because of it. His lack of sensitivity and understanding of those different from him handicapped his entire life. Okonkwo’s strength was further proven to have many fallacies because he was not strong in the important aspects of having composure and not acting on impulse. He could no longer control the people around him, nor his own life so he became misfortune of a classic tragedy.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" depicts the struggle between custom values and conversion. okonkwo is a tragic hero in the traditional sense; his inability to act rationally leads to his inescapable demise.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's unrelenting fury grew from the embarrassment of the non-productivity of his father unoka.
- Analyzes how vehemence is prominent in okonkwo's personality during the course of the novel. his fear of being like his "so-called" feminine father and poverty drove him to this psychosis.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's impetuousness for maintaining a masculine image fell short of nothing to the exterior people of his village.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's stoicism is a grave handicap to his life.
- Analyzes how okonkwo crumbled under the newly developed society of the white man in umofia. he could no longer act on his fury, vehemence or impetuousness because acting in those non-compliant ways got him no further advancement and was frowned upon.
1111 wordsRead More - Tragedy in Chinua Achebe´s Things Fall Apartanalytical essayWithin the Obi tribe, Okonkwo is an important man, who has risen from nothing to a man of great wealth and social status. Okonkwo is obsessed with masculinity, and he has a very narrow view of “manliness”. Okonkwo's relationship with his dead father is the root of his violent and ambitious conduct. He wants to rise above his father's legacy of laziness, which he views as weak and therefore feminine. This drive and fierce pride made him a great man, but they are also the source of all of his faults.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes chinua achebe's 'things fall apart' about okonkwo, a self-made man who values culture, tradition, and masculinity. his attachment to igbo culture and tradition is the cause of his fall from grace and eventual death.
- Describes okonkwo as an important man who has risen from nothing to a man of great wealth and social status. his relationship with his dead father is the root of his violent and ambitious conduct.
- Explains that the igbo are deeply patriarchal and violence is not uncommon. this male-dominance is inherent in the clan's language.
- Explains that okonkwo is deeply dedicated to the traditions and social hierarchies of his people. his sense of self-worth is dependent upon the traditional standards by which society judges him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's idea of manliness is an extreme version of the clan’s. he associates masculinity with aggression and feels that anger is the only emotion that he should display.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's ‘surrogate son’ ikemefuna exemplifies all that he wants his own son to be like and almost loves him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is determined to prove he is unshakeable. the priestess of agbala caries ezinma to her cave.
- Analyzes okonkwo's seven-year exile from his village reinforces his notion that men are stronger than women and reminds himself that his maternal kinsmen are not as war-like and fierce as he remembers the villagers of umuofia to be.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's gun explodes during ezeudu’s funeral, killing one of his sons. even though the death is accidental, the act is an abomination to the igbo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo had hoped to return to his fatherland with joy and celebration, but he finds umuofia sadly changed.
590 wordsRead More - Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayAs a child, Okonkwo was raised by a poor, unsuccessful father. Based on his childhood experience, Okonkwo had t...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo and his son experience sudden changes in their village from the arrival of white men in chinua achebe's things fall apart.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was raised by a poor, unsuccessful father who wanted to become an opulent, superior man — he cannot accept his status as well-known in umuofia.
- Explains okonkwo and nwaye's different perceptions about the influence of the white man is because they didn't understand change in life.
- Analyzes how okonkwo and nwaye have contrasting perspectives about the effect of the white men.
- Analyzes how okonkwo and nwaye's lives were raised differently, which impacted their perception of the white man’s influence. everyone has different views at life.
543 wordsRead More - Change In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayThe unpredictability of receiving food, gave rise to fear and embarrassment, both of which Okonkwo blamed on his father. Furthermore, when Okonkwo went out to Umoifa he discovered that people held similar views of Unoka, leading to further justification of his father. When he became old enough, Okonkwo began farming his own yams because “he had to support his mother and two sisters […] and supporting his mother also meant supporting his father” (Achebe 31). Okonkwo’s self-reliance was admired, even valued by the community where “age was respected […] but achievement was revered” (17); this sense of admiration gives Okonkwo self-value and the respect of his peers, further pushing him away from his father. The respect and self-value he earned become synonymous with acceptance into the community, which as his life’s goal stretched to point where he become a symbol for manliness to express the villages. If he was a part of the community, he was admired, safe, successful, and unlike his father, his life had
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the character okonkwo in chinua achebe's things fall apart was driven by the fear of losing himself in the whirlwind known as change.
- Explains that okonkwo despised his father unoka due to his laziness and inability to produce food for the family, which caused fear and embarrassment.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's use of the word beggar in the novel, the downfall of umuofia, is foreshadowing his response to the great events.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's suicide conformed to the ways of umuofia, which he had discovered in his youth.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's resistance to change was irreversible. he resisted the ibo traditions and took the old traditions with him.
770 wordsRead More - An Overview of Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart'analytical essayIn another part of the story, Okonkwo is banished from his fatherland. This incident is the first where he is punished greatly for his actions. It marks a turning point in Okonkwo's downfall, and therefore the downfall of the traditional culture that he stands for. His hopes and aspirations are almost forgotten while he is away from Umuofia, and he desperately tries to regain his status when he returns. During this period of time, Okonkwo also discovers that his son has converted to his enemy's ways and beliefs. He abandons his son, and doesn't want to be his father any longer. This shows that his relationships with family and other people are beginning to 'fall apart';.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" explains how two cultures with different ideas and beliefs can clash and be intolerant towards one another.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's character is introduced and explained to the reader. he is shameful of his father and belligerent and cold-hearted.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is banished from his fatherland and is punished for his actions. his hopes and aspirations are almost forgotten while away from umuofia, and he desperately tries to regain his status.
- Analyzes how the conflict between okonkwo and the new culture occurs at the end of the book.
435 wordsRead More - Tragic Hero In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayBetween his complex, multilayered sense of pride, his collapse at the hands of his unbending will, and his pitiful background, one can easily understand why Okonkwo exhibits the traits required of a tragic
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's novel, things fall apart, exhibits a tragic hero through its protagonist, okonkwo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's tragic flaw comes in the form of excessive pride, something loosely established through his personality.
- Analyzes okonkwo's demise in things fall apart. his pride causes him to take his own life and is buried like a dog for it.
- Analyzes how the rise and fall of okonkwo leaves the audience with conflicting emotions, most notably pity and fear.
- Argues that okonkwo represents a tragic hero, although not the typical one. between his complex, multilayered sense of pride, his collapse at the hands of his unbending will, and his pitiful background, one can easily understand why
1141 wordsRead More - The Stubborness of Okonkwoanalytical essayFrom birth Okonkwo had wanted his son, Nwoye, to be a great warrior like him. His son instead rebelled and wanted to be nothing like Okonkwo. Okonkwo would not change so that his son would idolize him, as he had wanted since his son's birth. He chose not to acknowledge his son's existence instead. This would weigh heavily on anyone's conscience, yet Okonkwo does not let his relationship with his son affect him in the least bit.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo, a fierce warrior, endures traumatic experiences of conflict from other tribes, dramatic confrontations from within his family, and betrayal by his own tribe.
- Analyzes how okonkwo brought honor to his village by throwing amalizine the cat. the victory brings out hubris, a self-defining trait of him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo wanted his son to be a great warrior like him, but he didn't change to idolize him.
- Narrates how okonkwo's son, isaac, was sent to the new training college for teachers in umuru, and hoped that he would be happy to hear of it.
- Narrates how okonkwo was deeply grieved after being banished from his tribe, which had been converted by the christian missionaries.
- Analyzes how okonkwo feels betrayal for the former members of the tribe because they no longer act like the great warriors that they once were. his inability to conform brings him to suicide.
- Analyzes how okonkwo does not change throughout the novel, despite his experiences, tribal and family, but he remains unchanged in a new time, where change is the only way to be accepted.
389 wordsRead More - Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayOkonkwo is “a man of action, a man of war” (7) and a member of high status in the Igbo village. He holds the prominent position of village clansman due to the fact that he had “shown incredible prowess in two intertribal wars” (5). Okonkwo’s hard work had made him a “wealthy farmer” (5) and a recognized individual amongst the nine villages of Umuofia and beyond. Okonkwo’s tragic flaw isn’t that he was afraid of work, but rather his fear of weakness and failure which stems from his father’s, Unoka, unproductive life and disgraceful death. “Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness….It was not external but lay deep within himself. It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father.” Okonkwo’s father was a lazy, carefree man whom had a reputation of being “poor and his wife and children had just barely enough to eat... they swore never to lend him any more money because he never paid back.” (5) Unoka had never taught Okonkwo what was right and wrong, and as a result Okonkwo had to interpret how to be a “good man”. Okonkwo’s self-interpretation leads him to conclude that a “good man” was someone who was the exact opposite of his father and therefore anything that his father did was weak and unnecessary.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo is a tragic hero in chinua achebe's novel things fall apart. aristotle defines tragic heroes as good men of high status who display tragic flaws and experience dramatic reversals.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's tragic flaw isn't that he was afraid of work, but rather his fear of weakness and failure which stems from his father’s unproductive life and disgraceful death.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's fear leads him to treat members of his family harshly, in particular his son, and his downfall is a result of the changes created by the british colonists to igbo.
- Analyzes okonkwo's reaction to christianity and the influence of the british after his seven-year exile.
975 wordsRead More - The Development of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apartexplanatory essayOkonkwo wanted to become one of the greatest men in the Ibo tribe, but three unfortunate events occur bringing him closer to his end. Okonkwo was a proud, industrious figure who through hard work was able to elevate himself to a stature of respect and prominence in his community. The one major character flaw was that he was a man driven by his fear to extreme reactions. Okonkwo was petrified of inadequacy namely because his father was a complete and utter failure. This fear of shortcoming made him hate everything his father loved and represented: weakness, gentleness, and idleness. Who was Okonkwo, well Okonkwo was a hero and also he...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that okonkwo had dreams of being successful and better than his father, and his son nwaye to be like him.
- Explains that okonkwo was a proud, industrious figure who elevated himself to respect and prominence in his community. he defeated amalinze (the cat) and was well-known and respected by neighboring villages.
- Explains how okonkwo achieved success through power and wealth and was industrious. he was a great man in his home of umuofia.
665 wordsRead More - “With a father like Unoka, Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men had. He neither inherited a barn nor a title, or even a young wife. But in spite of these disadvantages, he had begun even in his father’s lifetime to lay the foundations of a prosperous future” (18). Most of his accomplishments were despite his father, whom Okonkwo loathed, but with whom I connected. In the novel, I relate more to Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, a much more laid back character. Like Unoka, I am in love with life, lazy, not worried about tomorrow, and deeply in debt.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that unoka's appreciation for the moment is rooted in our struggle against society, which demands the focus of our lives to lie beyond the setting sun.
- Opines that it is easier to take life as it comes rather than preparing yourself constantly, securing a healthy, happy life for the future.
- Explains that unoka and he share the great ability to accumulate debts. they are in debt to their parents, in more than money or love.
- Opines that unoka was considered a failure, not only to his tribe but his son okonkwo. he had no title at all and was heavily in debt.
- Compares the character of okonkwo in the novel things fall apart by chinua achebe to their own.
- Analyzes how unoka's improvidence is seen through scholastic tests. he was poor and his wife and children barely had enough to eat.
- Explains that they are a lazy person, just like unoka, who was lazy, improvident, and incapable of thinking about tomorrow.
1662 wordsRead More