Things Fall Apart

Extreme polarity. All of Okonkwo’s ideals and perceptions are magnetized so strongly that his reality is either pulled or repelled completely by them. There is no middle ground for Okonkwo. Without this center of union, he is torn apart, and the refuge he sought from his reality was death. But what can tear a man far enough to the point of suicide?

Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, was a social failure. He was, “lazy improvident, and was incapable of thinking of tomorrow.” Unoka was not a warrior, but a musician and a fan of natural beauty. Okonkwo hated his father, because Unoka was effeminate and a fool. Okonkwo was driven by his hatred and sought to be the very opposite of Unoka. thus, Okonkwo’s world was formed, and in his reality, a man can only be called a man if he did away with anything weak and “woman-like.”

Okonkwo’s life folled that dictate to the very end. He favored Ikemefuna over his own son, Nwoye, for Nwoye disliked blood and war. Okonkwo apologized, but was not apologetic, bor beating his wife during the Week of Peace and for for questioning a fellow kinsman of his masculinity. Remorse showed weakness, a trait Okonkwo feared and abhorred. He was unable to show his affection openly, especially to his favorite child, Enzima. Only through subtleties could Okonkwo allow his emotions to show.

Okonkwo also held polar views on what was responsible for his circumstances. He, like his tribe, believed he had his own personal god, or chi. When life favors Okonkwo, it is because his own efforts, but when difficulties arise, it is because of his chi. In his reality, Okonkwo can do no wrong. It is fate and the world around him which are imperfect.

His efforts to keep his reputation and to reject any form of change led to the destruction of the reality he tried so hard to preserve. He could not comprehend the wisdom of of accepting change, so when his tribe decided not to go to war against the missionaries, everything fell apart. Losing his world, his ideals failing him, Okonkwo found no other way to go but a shameful death. It goes full circle to the advice his father tried to give.

A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. It is more difficult and more bitter when a man fails alone.

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