Okonkwo example essay topic

The society, which Okonkwo lives, Umofia, experiences a number of large changes to their traditions and Okonkwo cannot accept these changes. The Europeans are people from a totally different background challenge this society by offering Christian missionaries and government officials, which then leads to nothing but tragedy. Okonkwo becomes frustrated by the changes that he can't control, and also by some converts in his community, and especially his son, Nw oye. Okonkwo values the traditions and leadership in his society as they provide him with a high status and a strong identity in the community, but these changes that are introduced by the missionaries are threatening this.

The European colonialists expose the gods of Umofia as nothing but wood, which really informs the community that their beliefs are misleading and should convert to Christianity. Okonkwo is really affected by this as losing the tradition would eliminate his identity. The religious traditions that give Okonkwo's life stability are also what he values. The seven years of exile for an accidental killing would have caused great suffering to Okonkwo, and the anger which was created from this punishment can be related to the fury he has towards the new religion.

Okonkwo also laughed at a missionary as he rejects the outsider's beliefs of one god and that the gods of Umofia should be forgotten, as they are all false. The advice from others and his own experiences did not help teach Okonkwo. This is shown when Obi erika and Uche nde, Okonkwo's Uncle, criticises Okonkwo, and he also adheres to his own traditions and views without considering and accepting anything that life throws at him. An example of this is demonstrated when Ikemefuna was loved greatly by Okonkwo, but in his killing, Okonkwo joined in as he does not like to show his gentle side.

The murder of a messenger was the product of Okonkwo's pride for his traditions and values, and the frustration towards the new religion introduced to his society. The death of the messenger was not only because Okonkwo did not want this new religion to take over their ancient beliefs, but also because it was a little bit personal. His pride was flattened down a bit when not long after his exile had expired and he arrived back home, he found that his community was slowly being eliminated by these newcomers, and saying that their beliefs had no meaning at all. Okonkwo has a number of respectable qualities, which helps in creating a sense of sympathy in the reader towards his hard work, and the many flaws that accompany his characteristics. An example of this is all the hard work he did to grab the things that he desires in his life that he did not inherit from his father, who was a very unsuccessful man. One of these was the sowing of the yam seeds in his farm, which struggled to grow, and this is what creates a character that the reader admires.

Okonkwo is a strong man, who creates a lot of affection within him, but he feels that for a successful, respectable wrestler to show this side of him, this will only make him become weak. This is shown in the killing of Ikemefuna, when everyone knew that Okonkwo loved him and did not expect him to join in, but at the risk of showing his feminine side, he intervenes with this ritual, letting others know that he is not weak. China Achebe builds up a sense of doom for the community and Okonkwo, right from the start of the text. The main character, Okonkwo, was described as one of the leaders of his community with a number of qualities which a lot of people even today would like, but if the title of this text 'Things Fall Apart' is matched next to Okonkwo, then it is evident that Okonkwo will 'Fall', and because he is one of the leaders of the tribe, the community will in turn break 'Apart'.