Things Fall Apart, Part I

Okonkwo shaped his image to represent everything his father was not- to generally serve as his antithesis. He built a comfortable lifestyle in spite of the fact that he "did not have the start that many young men usually had. He did not inherit a barn from his father..." (16), his desire- even mania to sever himself from his father's image created a severe flaw in Okonkwo. He is characterized as unyielding perhaps even savage who places impossible expectations on himself and others to prevent idleness/sloth. He himself even admits to these impractical expectations at one point, "Inwardly, Okonkwo knew that the boys were still too young to understand fully the difficult art of preparing seed-yams" yet he refused to excuse any of Nwoye and Ikemefuna's errors declaring, "He would stamp out the disquieting signs of laziness which he thought he already saw in" them (33). I must note Michaela's analysis of Okonkwo, in the sense that he can not be truly culpable for his actions, bound to both tradition and his own demons about being regarded as effiminate- thus squelching his own sentiments. For example, Okonkwa was as distraught as his 2nd wife Ekwefi concerning their daughter Ezinma the night she was taken to the Caves. He was "gravely worried" (112) and went searching for them. Clearly, Okonkwa expressed a form of paternal love then and again when he felt remorse over Ikemefuna. Regardless of the fact that Unoka had an adverse effect on his son, it is clear that Unoka over perhaps any other person tragically influenced him.

I would also like to note the language employed throughout the book. Along with the Igbo words used, the characters frequently use their own adages while engaging in conversation. Even within the first few pages this is exemplified- ie, "When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk," (10). As Alinne emphasized, the language creates atmosphere and a broader, richer picture of the culture that is being discussed.

I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts / predictions of what is to become of the family now that they've become exiled from the tribe. Even to return 7 years later, they likely will still return humiliated. Their lives seem to be irrevocably changed from this one inadvertent death.

sincerely, tzivia (I don't think I established who I was while I commented for the other books, woops)

August 1, 2008 3:43 PM