Okonkwo's Respect

The respect Okonkwo has from the people in his village rises gradually in the first two parts of the novel, then falls drastically in the final chapters, which reflects the change in the culture of the village as the British influence grows. As an outside observer of the events in the novel, I am able to link Okonkwo’s respect to the moral of the village. From my reading, I believe they are directly proportionate. When Okonkwo gains respect, the moral of the village and the faith of the people is high. Conversely, when the people stop believing in Okonkwo, they lose unity and cohesiveness. Although Okonkwo’s mindset and way of life are static throughout the novel, the influence of the Christian faith increases in the village people. From the first paragraphs of the novel, it is clear that Okonkwo is deserving of the respect he earns. An easy way to gain status in the village is by defeating others in wrestling matches. The novel begins with Okonkwo overcoming an undefeated wrestler and and gaining status in the village. Along with wrestling, he is also proficient as a warrior in combat. Okonkwo is also a self-made man. Even as a reader, I respect Okonkwo for making his own image instead of inheriting his wealth. Despite the fact that his

One of the first converts is Okonkwo’s own son, Nwoye. Okonkwo never appreciated Nwoye, but he is certainly offended when Nwoye converts to Christianity. I believe that this is the second major blow to Okonkwo’s respect. His own family is crumbling. By the time Okonkwo is able to return to his village, a substantial portion of the people have converted to Christianity. When Okonkwo returns he is surprised to find that he arrival has not caused a stir in the community. At this point, Okonkwo’s legacy and honor are in pieces, similar to how the village is divided into two pieces with two different