Things Fall Apart Group

Question:

haruko
haruko
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What can you tell about Okonkwo's character from his participation in the death of Ikemefuna? Explain.

Rate question:

Posted by haruko on Tuesday May 26, 2009 at 7:40 PM and tagged with help, ikemefuna, okonkowo, things fall apart.

Answers:


  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Okonkwo's participation in the death of Ikemefuna shows how insecure Okonkwo still is. Okonkwo's greatest fear is that he will end up like his father, who was considered weak and died having no titles. So, Okonkwo has worked very hard to overcome the stigma attached to being the son of a man such weak "chi". Even though he is warned by Ogbuefi Ezeudu, the oldest man in the village, not to take part in the killing of Ikemefuna, Okonkwo goes ahead and kills the boy whom he had come to regard as a son. He kills him because he is still afraid others may think he is weak. This shows how deeply affected and insecure Okonkwo is over the perceived weaknesses of his father and how far he will go to cover his insecurities.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/things-fall

    Rate answer:

    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Tuesday May 26, 2009 at 8:24 PM