Things Fall Apart
The novel "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe depicts the vicissitudes of Okonkwo, a Nigerian tribesman whose life is domineered by fear and anger. He resided in the Ibo village of Umuofia with his three wives and many children. Many villagers respected and admired his resilience, but Okonkwo was a vain individual. The villagers' flattery did not satisfy his ambition. He envisioned himself obtaining the highest title in the village. In his society men were castigated for displaying "feminine emotions" (love, mercy, compassion, etc.), and he lived in constant fear of being compared to his father Unoka, a lazy coward and debtor whom the elders gave the title of efulefu, or a worthless man. As a result, he became very concerned with his image. Dual personalities existed within Okonkwo, at times having courage, diligence, and regarded as a man of principle, yet often being weak, compulsive, and driven by fear. His commendable qualities, in spite of his many downfalls, were peerless in his clan, concerning greatness, at least. To Okonkwo, there was no greater virtue than valor, and he began to demonstrate his bravey at a young age. The story states: "As a young man of eighteen
Contradictory to his virtuous and admirable qualities, Okonkwo was, at times, a weak individual who would do seemingly anything to preserve his image. He was even capable of killing a boy who affectionately addressed him as father. "As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raised his machete, Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow. The pot fell and broke in the sand. He heard Ikemefuna cry, 'My father, they have killed me!' as he ran towards him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak." Ironically, instead of improving his image, the act he committed for fear of being thought weak, was exactly what made him weak. "'What you have done will not please the Earth,' rebuked Obierika. 'It is the kind of action for which the goddess wipes out whole families.' 'The Earth cannot punish me for obeying her messenger,' replied Okonkwo in defense. 'That is true,' agreed Obierika. 'But if the Oracle said my son should be killed, I would neither dispute it nor be the one to do it.'" Fear was a dominating factor in Okonkwo's life because of his obsession with maintaining a respectable image. Okonkwo frequently executed compulsive acts, which he hastily prejudged to be advantageous to enforcing his masculinity, when in actuality this compulsive behavior was destroying him socially. Exemplary, was when court messengers of His Royal Majesty were sent to Umuofia, on their iron horses (bicycles), to stop their tribal gatherings. "'Let me pass!' he ordered. 'What do you want here?' demanded Okonkwo. 'The white man whose power you know to well has ordered this meeting to stop.' In a falsh Okonkwo drew his machete. The messenger crouched to avoid the blow. It was useless. Okonkwo's machete descended twice and the man's head lay beside his uniformed body." This compulsion
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1251
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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