Sunday, August 18, 2013

What is every event that happens to Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe?

At eighteen, Okonkwo became the champion wrestler. He
threw Amalinze the Cat in a wrestling match and won. Amalinze had been champion for
seven years.


Okonkwo grew up being ashamed of his father
Unoka. Unoka was a failure. He owed everyone money. He sat around all day playing his
flute and drinking palm wine. He did not work. Okonkwo grew up hearing others call his
father "womanish." He could not bear the shame. He swore to be nothing like his father.
In fact, he was driven by a fear of being weak like his father. He vowed he would be
strong, win titles, and create wealth by working
hard.


Okonkwo accomplished everything he set out to
accomplish. He acquired two titles. He became a fierce warrior. He also became wealthy
by producing yams. In addition to his hard work, he married three wives who bore many
children for Okonkwo:


readability="11">

Okonkwo is introduced as a great wrestler, a
renowned warrior, and a hardworking member of the community. He has amassed two barns
filled with yams, three wives, many children, and two
titles.



One thing that
Okonkwo had not conquered was his anger. He often beat his wives and children,
especially during religious celebrations, most notably due to his not being able to work
hard as he is used to doing. He angers the gods because of his temper. He accidentally
shoots a sixteen-year-old boy when his gun fires during a funeral. Okonkwo is banned
from his village:


readability="9">

Okonkwo has committed a female crime because the
murder is an accident. Nevertheless, he is forced to flee from the clan. He may return
after seven years. Okonkwo collects his belongings, and his wives and children weep
bitterly.



After seven years
passes, Okonkwo returns home. He is shocked by some of the changes. The white man and
his religion has become a major part of the village. Okonkwo resents the fact that
government and order as he knew it has changed. Okonkwo desires to fight the white man
and his new religion and government. The clan will not support Okonkwo in his desire to
go to war, so Okonkwo hangs himself and dies without a honorable
burial.

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