Examples Of Okonkwo's Response To Things Fall Apart

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Okonkwo’s Response In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, there are many characters with varying responses to the clash of cultures between the white culture and the Ibo culture. Okonkwo is one of the characters that had a strong negative response. Okonkwo responded negatively and therefore divided himself from the tribe who was not ready to go to war, because he did not adapt like everyone else who was exposed to the culture when he was not. His distaste for the white man’s religion grows as it takes in converts and disrespects Okonkwo’s religion. Okonkwo's seven years of isolation also affected his response to the incoming white man's religion negatively. The tribe’s early exposure to the white man's religion lead to them being accustomed …show more content…

Okonkwo has always resorted to violence when he is text with the problem. One such time is in Mbanta when Okonkwo claimed that “if his children are praying to the white man's God, he would wipe them off the face of the earth." (Achebe 146) Again this shows Okonkwo resorting to violence to solve his problem. His problem is this new culture and religion invading his land. This quote also shows that his negative response will not be limited to the invaders, but anyone who joins them, even his family. They will all be punished by him. The thought of his family joining the white man creates a drastic negative response in Okonkwo. Another reason for Okonkwo’s strict punishment was probably from Nwoye. Nwoye had defied Okonkwo and joined the white man’s religion. This enraged Okonkwo and he threatened Nwoye. He later disowned him as his oldest son. This no doubt contributed to Okonkwo’s response to the invading culture. Another example of Okonkwo’s negative response is his death. After the killing of the messenger, Okonkwo hung himself before the commissioner could arrest him. The meeting that was going to be disbanded by the messenger was of course in response for Okonkwo's arrest earlier for burning the church. Since he decided to retaliate, and did not want to face the consequences, he decided to kill himself. He would have rather died than obey thy white man’s

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