Okonkwo Masculinity Analysis
“Black men struggle with masculinity so much. The idea that we must always be strong really presses us all down - it keeps us from growing” (“Donald Glover Quotes), says Donald Glover, a famous African-American actor. This is shown during the book, “Things Fall Apart”, by Chinua Achebe. Okonkwo, the main character, hates his father who acts very feminine according to their tribe’s definition and is not successful at all, but still lives life to the fullest. Okonkwo’s actions are based on his fear of becoming like his father so he rejects all characteristics that his father had (feminine qualities). According to Okonkwo’s tribe, the Igbo, masculinity is being strong, aggressive, and nourishing. Femininity is being weak, loving, compassionate, and devotional. Achebe highlights the definitions of masculinity and femininity to show that Okonkwo’s hypermasculinity causes his downfall. Okonkwo is trying to act too masculine and by completely rejecting feminine qualities, he sets up his destiny to be his downfall. The first instance in which things fall apart for Okonkwo is when a tribute from another village has to stay with Okonkwo for three years. During those three years, Okonkwo and the tribute, Ikemefuna, become like father and son, but after the three years are over, the oracle proclaims that Ikemefuna must die. As Ikemefuna unknowingly walks to his old village with Okonkwo and some other men, they start to close in on him and when Ikemefuna runs to Okonkwo, “Okonkwo drew
Masculinity In The African City Summary
999 Words | 4 PagesRobert Wood traveled to Uganda in search of how the AIDS crisis had effected the men and women in the town of Bwaise. In his book AIDS and Masculinity in the African City: Privilege, Inequality, and Modern Manhood, he found that this crisis along with growing women’s economic opportunities have posed a threat on men’s sense of masculinity. These men are experiencing an identity crisis within their life because ideals in their work, authority, and sexuality are beginning to shift. This threat to a man’s masculinity is not only in Bwaise, but also in America. Gender equality and feminism have been on the rise and some men have felt threated by it for the same reason the Bwaise men feel threatened; it takes away their power and masculinity.
How Is Okonkwo A Sympathetic Character
623 Words | 3 PagesThe novel “things fall apart” is about the fatal demise of Okonkwo and the igbo culture of Umuofia. Okonkwo is well known and respected leader in his community, who is successful in everything he does, such as wrestling and farming. He is quick with his hands and takes pride in his accomplishments. Okonkwo’s family relationship makes him a sympathetic character because of his support and an unsympathetic character because of his cruelty. In many ways Okonkwo showed that he had no sympathy for others , However at times he could be sympathetic.
Okonkwo Dialectical Journal
387 Words | 2 PagesNext, Okonkwo is warned that he will be told to kill Ikemefuna, a boy who has become like a son to him. When the time comes, Okonkwo, Ikemefuna, and a few other men set out on their journey. When the men move to kill Ikemefuna, Okonkwo trails behind them so he will not have to be a part of
Okonkwo Masculinity Quotes
970 Words | 4 PagesMemorable Quotes “Yam stood for manliness, and he who could feed his family on yams from one harvest to another was a very great man indeed”(Achebe 33). Throughout the novel, yam is mentioned pretty consistently. This emphasizes masculinity which help define Okonkwo and his character. The quote shows how important it is to Okonkwo to show status and masculinity to the people of his village.
Cultural Collision In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
855 Words | 4 PagesAmong those of the same culture, individuals who are adaptive and open-minded can be successful when there is cultural collision. When the Igbo and European cultures collide, Okonkwo gradually spirals out of control, losing everything he values and his own sense of self. From the beginning of the novel, Achebe depicts Okonkwo as a virile warrior and a successful farmer within the Igbo tribe. Reacting with violence to anything he considers “womanly” or “weak”, “He was a man of action and man of war” (10). Because of his reputation as a warrior he is highly respected by his community.
Okonkwo And Nwoye Quotes
802 Words | 4 PagesOkonkwo’s aggressive ways caused Nwoye to rely on Ikemefuna, A boy given to Okonkwo by a neighboring village, as an older brother who teaches him a more gentle form of masculinity. The bond between Nwoye and Ikemefuna was stronger than the bond between Nwoye and Okonkwo ever was because of Okonkwo’s refusal to demonstrate affection towards his son as it could make him appear weak. However, because of the death of Ikemefuna, Nwoye fears having to return to the harsh values of his father. Okonkwo’s stubborn ideas of masculinity ruined his relationship with his son beyond repair. Okonkwo’s refusal to show emotion towards his family pushed them apart which shows that Okonkwo is not willing to give up his stern values and reputation to be emotionally committed to his family.
Theme Of Masculinity In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
786 Words | 4 PagesWhen Ikemefuna runs towards him, “Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe 13). Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna because he is afraid someone will believe he is weak and similar to his unsuccessful father. He lets this fear of compassion and failing control his life and his decisions. When he is faced with a difficult choice he completes the action that will portray him as a man and not as an agbala, a woman.
Okonkwo Kills Quotes
646 Words | 3 PagesIn the beginning of the story, Okonkwo was a very vigorous man who everyone loves. One day a killing happened leaving Okonkwo with a wife and a son, Ikemefuna. He grew to like the young boy, where he is different from his other children, On a fateful day, Okonkwo murders Ikemefuna. Okonkwo had a load of guilt for killing his adoptive son, Ikemefuna.
How Okonkwo's Change In 'Things Fall Apart'
965 Words | 4 PagesIn the book “Things Fall Apart“ Okonkwo is a very strong man and from time to time he starts showing his true self. He has a lot of responsibilities and other things he has to do around the living environment and interact with lots of people. Okonkwo changes from being that strong man, to a man who feels like his tribe is not with him when he wants to go to war with the missionaries. For someone like Okonkwo a lot of people looks up to him and while in the tribe Okonkwo beats his wives and children. Not good behavior for someone who is supposedly looked at as strong.
Essay On Gender Roles In Things Fall Apart
1083 Words | 5 PagesA struggle for power between any two or more groups of people in a society can lead to more damage and sever relations between people. Moreover, it can lead to tragic endings, much like the way Okonkwo’s relationship with Nwoye was lost forever. The concept of men being superior and women being inferior and weak is seen in many cultures, including Igbo society. Because gender roles have both advantages and disadvantages, gender-specific stereotypes are integrated in many different societies, similar to the ones prevalent in
How Did Unoka Influence Okonkwo's Life
2007 Words | 9 PagesQ1: Explain how Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, influenced his life. A1: Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, influenced Okonkwo’s life because he had been a failure in life. Unoka was a lazy and improvident debtor. In his youth he lived a carefree life and would visit different villages and market to play on his flute and feast.
Compare And Contrast Okonkwo And Nwoye
1890 Words | 8 PagesFear is the core cause of the dramatic shift of lifestyle for both Okonkwo and Nwoye. Through the management of reputation and the avoidance of their father’s likeness, Okonkwo and Nwoye built new lives for themselves. Okonkwo sought power and authority to prove his masculinity and make up for Unoka’s reputation as a weak man. He did this to the point where manliness became his character. Fearlessness and violence were masculine qualities that in Igbo culture signifies strength and influence.
Femininity In Things Fall Apart
895 Words | 4 PagesHis fear of weakness and failure is derived from his father, Unoka’s failures, which ignite Okonkwo’s misogynistic views. Throughout his lifetime, Okonkwo associates femininity with weakness because of Unoka, who was called an “agbala” or woman by the people of Umuofia. Since women have this reputation for weakness, Okonkwo lives with constant fear that he will be given the same title as his father. Okonkwo’s first son, Nwoye’s effeminacy reminds Okonkwo of his own father. He says, "I have done my best to make Nwoye grow into a man, but there is much of his mother in him ."(Achebe, 66).
Essay On Okonkwo
769 Words | 4 PagesOkonkwo In literature, there are many characters that stand out and show that they have a variety of qualities about them. In Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is one character that presents character traits from both the negative and positive sides of him. Okonkwo is portrayed to be a warrior who wanted to become somebody strong and looked up to, but also possesses less favorable qualities. He, however, does not let any one trait dictate his whole personality; he is written to be a well-rounded character.
Theme Of Masculinity In Things Fall Apart
702 Words | 3 PagesAnyone who disobeys those priorities are shunned by their own culture and considered weak worthless men. This story is told with many interesting different themes, but in my perspective one theme that captured my attention the most was masculinity, like I had mentioned before. The main character Okonkwo, revolves around showing no emotion and being masculine, his whole life is based upon the belief of male masculinity and hard work. He does not accept any failure or weakness from himself or any of his family members, putting his pride on being a well respected masculine man unlike his father Unoka.
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