Okonkwo Character Essay

In his novel, Chinua Achebe takes the reader to the world of the Igbo nation during the pre-imperialism Victorian era. Okonkwo, the main character, was a highly respected member of the Igbo tribe. He is the caretaker of a child, only with a stroke of irony, ends up killing him. later on an accident, he and his family are forced into exile. By the time he returns, the Igbo tribe has undergone many changes. He finds these changes to his life and culture to be overwhelming, and thus takes his possess life. Throughout the novel, Okonkwos words demonstrate his inner conflicts, his troubled yesteryear with his family, and his superiority complex. Okonkwo is a actually conflicted individual because, throughout the novel he demonstrates severe internal discord. Achebe comwork forcets,Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness (13). Despite all of his showy manliness, tardily down inside Okonkwo is ruled by fear.He is afraid of advent off feminine and weak, like his father before him. He feels the take in to surpass his father in every way, and does whatever he rat to ensure his dominance. Okonkwo did not have a very warm upbringing. His approximative childhood is arguably the main reason Okonkwo is the way he is. Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many four-year-old men usually had. He did not inherit a barn from his father. on that point was no barn to inherit. (Page 16) His father proves unable to provide for his family, and in Igbo society, is looked upon as a bad father. This compels Okonkwo to be a better man than his father, but in some senses he takes it as well as far, and becomes a tyrant in his own home. Okonkwos first son, Nwoye, was then twelve years hoar but was already causing his father slap-up anxiety for his early laziness. At any rate, that was how it looked to his father, and he sought to correct him by incessant nagging and beating. And so Nwoye was developing into a sad-faced youth (Pages 13-14)As the organise of the household, he is free to do whatever he pleases and drives his wives and children to work too hard. Okonkwo hated his own father, and though he is trying to do justly by his children, is only driving them down the same path he has been. Okonkwo feels the pauperization to be dominant. He does whatever he can to anchor his superiority, to make up for his fathers failures. Okonkwowas well cognise throughout the nine villages and compensate beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements. As a young man of eighteen he had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat. Amalinze was the great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten, from Umuofia to Mbaino. (Page 1) He establishes his dominance early on, by proving to be a superior wrestler than everyone else.He makes a title for himself, and proves that he doesnt need anyone elses help. I think it is best that our clan holds the ozo title in high esteem, said Okonkwo. In those another(prenominal) clans you speak of, ozo is so low that every beggar takes it. (Page 69-70) Since he is very proud of his reputation, Okonkwo is pleased to know that positions of respect are publicly known and difficult to achieve. This means that his status in the community is an elite and meaningful accomplishment. As you have seen through the evidence I have given, Okonkwos personality is very dark. Its been shown that he was very conflicted, had issues with his family, and felt the need to be superior. In conclusion, these many issues lead to the mans downfall, and ultimate suicide.