Things Fall Apart Group

Question:

mickey22
mickey22
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What is Okonkwo's strength and weakness in "Things Fall Apart"?

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Posted by mickey22 on Friday April 27, 2007 at 3:06 PM and tagged with characters, okonkwo, strength, things fall apart, weakness.

Answers:

  1. apettitshaheen
    apettitshaheen Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Okonkwo is known as a champion wrestler and manly man. He is hard-working and motivated (unlike his lazy, weak father), and he becomes a wealthy leader in the Ibo tribe. He firmly stands for tribal traditions. He cares deeply for his family, especially his daughter Ezinma. However, living up to his manly reputation becomes Okonkwo's greatest weakness, as he takes out his hatred for his father on his son Nwoye, whom he suspects of being weak. He also makes rash decisions and behaves violently, like when he participates in the murder of Ikemefuna.

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

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    Posted by apettitshaheen on Sunday April 29, 2007 at 1:47 PM

  2. leagye
    leagye Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Okonkwo is a pillar of strength and stability in his village. He is one of the most industrious members of his community and has amassed a great deal of things: wives, children and yams. He holds wrestling titles and is one of the most respected "high achievers" in the village. However, as a tragic hero, he has a flaw, or weakness, which contributes to his ultimate downfall: fear of appearing or feeling weak. His unrelenting flight from any felt or perceived weakness (affection for others, lack of work ethic, emotion, being unable to stave off the missionaries) leads to his demise.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/thingsfallapart

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    Posted by leagye on Monday February 25, 2008 at 9:31 AM

  3. roma72
    roma72 Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    hsi strength is that he is asstidious and provides for his family. his weeknesses are that he is short tempered, too strict, and doesnt show much emotion except anger.

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    Posted by roma72 on Saturday June 7, 2008 at 6:24 PM

  4. teach1052
    teach1052 Teacher
    Middle School

    eNotes Editor

    Okonkwo's strength is his fatal flaw, upholding life as it has been with no room for change or compromise. To quote a poster I once saw, "if you always do what always did, you will always get what you always got". For Okonkwo, that means a certain death, spiritually, mentally, psychologically and physically.  He cannot bring himself to embrace change because that means death to him so he kills himself rather than change what he believes must never change.

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    Posted by teach1052 on Thursday August 14, 2008 at 11:26 AM

  5. prettyklaus
    prettyklaus Student
    College - Senior

    the most important fact is:

    okonkwo's strength is his guideline to his weaknesses.

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    Posted by prettyklaus on Sunday February 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM