The novel follows the life of Okonkwo, an Igbo (“Ibo” in the novel) man and local wrestling champion in the fictional Nigerian clan of Umuofia.
What nationality is Okonkwo?
Character Analysis Okonkwo
Okonkwo’s tragic flaw is his fear of weakness and failure. In his thirties, Okonkwo is a leader of the Igbo community of Umuofia.
Who are the Igbo in things fall apart?
In Things Fall Apart, which is set in Nigeria in the early 1900s, Chinua Achebe describes Igbo culture, which encompasses polytheistic religion, father-son inheritance, farming traditions, and belief in evil spirits.
What kind of name is Okonkwo?
Meaning & History
Means “born on Nkwo” in Igbo, Nkwo being one of the days of the Igbo week.
What Okonkwo means?
Hover for more information. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo represents the best part of the tribal values in various ways. At the same time, he represents the worst part of tribal life according to what the tribe values. Truly, Okonkwo has qualities that prove he is a respected leader in his tribe.
Why does Okonkwo hate his dad?
Okonkwo hates his father because he fails at being what Umuofia sees as a successful man. Unoka before he dies is “poor and his wife and children barely had enough to eat”. This means that Unoka is weak according to his culture. Okonkwo has “no patience with unsuccessful men”.
Is Okonkwo a good person?
Okonkwo is a good father in that he is an extremely hard-working man that is able to financially provide for his family. He is a respected member of the community, and he embraces his leadership roles. Okonkwo also recognizes traits in his own father that he doesn’t like, and he works at not emulating those behaviors.
Why does Okonkwo kill himself?
With a feeling of hopelessness, Okonkwo gives up and hangs himself. He commits suicide because he cannot deal with the changes that the Christian white men are making in his village. While the white man from Europe came in to civilize the Igbo tribe, he did not succeed.
Why did the Igbo culture fall apart?
The downfall of Ibo society is a product of both the white man’s external influence and increasing internal disunity. The situation is similar to that of a tragic hero whose tragic fall is necessitated only by the combination of a tragic flaw in his character and the uncontrollable forces working against him.
How does Okonkwo die?
At the end of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo hangs himself, preferring suicide to the indignity of being dragged before the colonial court.
What does Okonkwo mean in Igbo?
Okonkwo’s origin is African-Igbo, and its use, Igbo. The meaning of Okonkwo is ‘boy born on Nkwo’. See also the related form, Nwankwo (Igbo). See also the related category igbo. Okonkwo is not commonly used as a baby boy name.
Who did Okonkwo kill?
Okonkwo’s gun accidentally goes off and kills Ezeudu’s sixteen-year-old son. Killing a clansman is a crime against the earth goddess, so Okonkwo must atone by taking his family into exile for seven years. Okonkwo gathers his most valuable belongings and takes his family to his mother’s natal village, Mbanta.
How old is Okonkwo?
We meet Okonkwo at about the age of 38 at the height of his fame. The foundation of this fame — his wrestling feats — are at least twenty years behind him and he had added to them by showing “incredible prowess in two inter-tribal wars.”
Is Okonkwo a hero or a villain?
Okonkwo is a tragic hero in the classical sense: although he is a superior character, his tragic flaw—the equation of manliness with rashness, anger, and violence—brings about his own destruction.
How is Okonkwo respected?
Okonkwo gains respect for himself and his village by proving his mettle in a physical contest – wrestling. One way of gaining others’ respect is through possession of material goods like barns, many yams, and even multiple wives.
Does Okonkwo kill ikemefuna?
In achieving success, fame, and power, Okonkwo habitually resorts to and comes to rely on thoughtless violence. Without regard for consequences, Okonkwo acts – beats his son, repudiates his father, kills Ikemefuna, butchers the messenger. He becomes the epitome of violent action and as such ultimately destroys himself.