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Anna O, Justus R, Anna S
"And that was how he came to look after the doomed lad who was sacrificed to the village of Umofia to avoid war and bloodshed. The ill-fated lad was called Ikemefuna"
(Achebe 8).
This is the first major event to occur within the chronology of the novel.
It is also the thing that signals the beginning of change for Okonkwo and his village. Everything had been fairly constant until Ikemefuna arrived
Throughout the entire rest of the novel, the stasis is broken and things fall apart. This is partially due to the fact that Okonkwo rarely displays affection for anyone. Because he does for Ikemefuna, it makes it much more devestating when he kills him
"And when she
returned he beat her very heavily. In his
anger he had forgotten that it was the
Week of Peace. His first two wives ran
out in great alarm pleading with him that
it was the sacred week"
(Achebe 30).
This event is critical because it is the first time we see Okonkwo's temper get the best of him
This lack of control, along with fear of weakness and femininity is primarily what leads to his demise later in the novel. Not only is was he violent, he violated cultural tradaditions to do so. This is worse because while violence is accepted in the Igbo culture, violence during the week of peace is not.
"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" (Achebe 61).
Okonkwo killing Ikemefuna is the second time that his temper/ lack of emotional control has been extremely detrimental to him. Additionally, contrary to showing Okonkwo that he needs to acknowledge his feelings, he simply supresses them more, which leads to more violence later in the novel. It also widens the all ready large gap between him and Nwoye, which is one of the main conflicts in the novel. The distance between Okonkwo and Nwoye is also part of the reason that Nwoye is succeptible to the missionaries.
“Ezinma is dying,” came her voice,
and all the tragedy and sorrow of her life
were packed in those words.
Okonkwo sprang from his bed,
pushed back the bolt on his door and ran
into Ekwefi’s hut" (Achebe 76).
Like in the case of Ikemefuna's arrival, Ezinma's sickness is an occasion in which Okonkwo expresses care and concern for someone. Whereas he is typically very aloof, he puts effort into ensuring that Ezinma is healthy.
This is a contrast to his relationship with Nwoye, in which he is primarily conerned with Nwoye being a bad refelction of him as his son. Additionally, Okonkwo is willing to risk damaging his reputation for Ezinma by repeatedly following her to the caves. This is significant because it shows the readers that Okonkwo has the ability to care about people
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"It was a
crime against the earth goddess to
kill a clansman, and a man who
committed it must flee from the land" (Achebe 124).
Okonkwo killing his clansman is an extremely critical event to the plot because it results in him being exiled from Umofia and having to live with his mother's tribe. This is significant because, for the first time, Okonkwo faces a consequence that matters to him. Previously, when he has had to atone for his violence, he has given up things that he can afford to lose, like possessions. However, when heis exiled and loses the two things he cares most about-- social standiing and respect, he becomes a much more vulnerable character
"Okonkwo was well received by his mother's kinsmen in Mbanta. Okonkwo was given a plot of ground on which to build his compound, and two or three pieces of land on which to farm during the coming planting season." (Achebe 129-130)
In Umuofia tradition, family is very important, and Okonkwo's mother's kinsmen receive him kindly as part of the family, even though Uchendu hasn't seen him in years. He even receives a plot of land to start his "new life" and is treated as there own.
"Okonkwo and his family worked very hard to plant a new farm. But it was like beginning life anew without the vigor and enthusiasm of youth, like learning to become left-handed in old age." (Achebe 131)
Yams represent power and strength. Yams also represent his manliness. As well as all of the things already states yams are also a very profitable.
"Okonkwo called his tree wives and told them to get things toghether for a great feast. "I must thank my mother's kinsmen before I go," he said." (Achebe 163)
He needs to be as generous to his mother's clan as they have been to him. He also is celebrating finally being allowed to return to his homeland. This is a way that he is able to repay they for their kindness.
Place: Umuofia
Time: Seven years after Okonkwo's exile; the town is much different, and is slowly being converted by missionaries
"Umuofia had indeed changed during the seven years Okonkwo had been in exile. The church had come and led many astray" (Achebe 174).
Okonkwo has finally arrived, after 7 years of exile, to his homeland. However, most of his surroundings have changed: missionaries have reached Umuofia, his farm was burned down (as is custom for an expatriot), and was finally in the same village as his son. He is introduced to all of the things he hates in a community, as another religion is taking over, a member of his family has embraced Okonkwo's definition of "femininity," and he has to start over, virtually from scratch.
(goodness gracious)
Time: During an Igbo ceremony that celebrates the earth goddess
Place: Umuofia, presumably near the church that had been built in the forest
"...when Enoch boasted aloud that they would not dare to touch a Christian. Whereupon they all came back and one of them gave Enoch a good stroke of the cane, which was always carried. Enoch fell on him and tore off his mask" (Achebe 186).
Enoch, in trying to prove the validity of his religion, was attacked when challenging one of the tribe's egwugwu's. Only naturally, Enoch attacks back, and "kills" one of the egwugwus. There is outrage towards not only Enoch, but also towards the entire resident Christian community. This creates an almost unchangeable and hateful attitude towards the new religion, and causes everyone to be wary or violent towards the Christians.
(well dang)
Time: Five days after the church was burned down
Place: Courtroom, built by the white missionaries
"They sat together with the men of Umuofia, and Ogbuefi Ekwueme began to tell the story of how Enoch murdered an egwugwu. It happened so quickly that the six men did not see it coming. There was only a brief scuffle, too brief even to allow the drawing of a sheathed machete. The six men were handcuffed and led into the guardroom" (Achebe 194)
Both of the parties are in the wrong during this scenario. Okonkwo and some of the other village members made an attempt to attack the Christians. However, the missionaries and their newly introduced "government" required that those members be locked up, simply for being aggressive, or pay an incredibly large fine. This event illustrates the lack of empathy between the two parties, and only assists in distancing both of the cultures from each other.
this is so sad
Time: Most likely during the afternoon
Place: Umuofia, near Okonkwo's compound
"They skirted round the compound, keeping close to the wall. The only sound they made was with their feet as they crushed the dry leaves. Then they came to the tree from which Okonkwo's body was dangling, and they stopped dead" (Achebe 207).
TIt had come time where Okonkwo could not bear the pain of having his own culture steamrolled. Okonkwo decides to take his life in the final chapter of the book, almost immediately after he killed one of the missionaries for invading his privacy. He realized the futility of living in a world that he could not ever control again, and in the only choice he could make for himself, he commits suicide.