The fear of being weak like his father decided Okonkwo's actions during the whole novel. He displayed strength by insulting other people or using violence, these actions provided Okonkwo with a higher self-esteem. He would not listen to his brethren when the missionaries came to his village. He did not think rationally and he approaches the missionaries alone. He murders a missionary without thinking of the consequences and his clan is disgusted by Okonkwo's action. This loss of clan respect and change in culture drove Okonkwo to kill himself. Okonkwo had a balance of heroic and villainous characteristics; however, he became more villain-like as the novel progressed.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
How Manly of Him
The first chapter gives an impression that Okonkwo is a modern day hero. He had no inheritance and he worked hard to achieve his titles and successful life. Okonkwo brought honour to his village by winning the wrestling competition and his name was well known throughout Umoufia. However, his attitude toward less successful men displays the villainous traits of Okonkwo.
The fear of being weak like his father decided Okonkwo's actions during the whole novel. He displayed strength by insulting other people or using violence, these actions provided Okonkwo with a higher self-esteem. He would not listen to his brethren when the missionaries came to his village. He did not think rationally and he approaches the missionaries alone. He murders a missionary without thinking of the consequences and his clan is disgusted by Okonkwo's action. This loss of clan respect and change in culture drove Okonkwo to kill himself. Okonkwo had a balance of heroic and villainous characteristics; however, he became more villain-like as the novel progressed.
The fear of being weak like his father decided Okonkwo's actions during the whole novel. He displayed strength by insulting other people or using violence, these actions provided Okonkwo with a higher self-esteem. He would not listen to his brethren when the missionaries came to his village. He did not think rationally and he approaches the missionaries alone. He murders a missionary without thinking of the consequences and his clan is disgusted by Okonkwo's action. This loss of clan respect and change in culture drove Okonkwo to kill himself. Okonkwo had a balance of heroic and villainous characteristics; however, he became more villain-like as the novel progressed.
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I agree that as the novel progresses, Okonkwo's heroic attributes seem to digress. However, if one looks at his actions throughout the novel, and compares them to the attributes of historic heroes (i.e. Anglo-Saxon), one would find Okonkwo to be a great hero. The Anglo-Saxon hero possessed these five traits; comitatus, belief in wyrd, strength, bravery, and confidence. Okonkwo has a strong loyalty to his community. This loyalty is demonstrated when Okonkwo wishes to wage war with the Europeans to save his community. Okonkwo also believes in his personal "chi," which closely resembles the Anglo-Saxon belief in wyrd. Obviously, Okonkwo has great physical strength demonstrated by his wrestling accomplishments. Okonkwo lacks no confidence putting down those beneath him and acquiring a high status in Umuofia. Lastly, some people believe Okonkwo lacks bravery because he simply kills himself to "take the easy way out," however I believe it would take great bravery for Okonkwo to consistently stand up against his community to fight for what he believes is right. If one looks at Okonkwo through this perspective, one would find Okonkwo truly is a great hero.
ReplyDeleteLike Nick, I agree that as you progressed in the novel, Okwonkwo's villainous traits became more and more evident in his actions. However, as Jeff mentioned in his own blog post, Okwonkwo did not really change through out the novel; instead, it was his brethren that changed. As a result, I believe that it was his fellow villagers that changed, not him. Therefore, I don't think Okwonkwo became more villainous as the novel progressed, but was merely treated as one by his villagers towards the end of the novel.
ReplyDeleteI think that Okonkwo is a hero to his clan even though he is violent and could be seen as villainous. It is true that he murders a missionary without thinking of the consequences. However, I believe that Okonkwo wanted the best for his clan. He murdered the missionary in hopes of sparking the fight in his fellow clansmen so that they could rebel against the Christians. He only wanted to protect his way of life and culture because he knew if he did not act soon, the Christians would assimilate his entire village. Unfortunately for Okonkwo, his actions resulted in severe consequences for him. He knew that if he did not kill himself, the Christians would. Okonkwo, being the proud man he is, decided to take his own life rather than fall to another man. This gives the reader a slight feeling of desperation because this was Okonkwo's only way out.
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