Characterization - Okonkwo.
Characterization:
Okonkwo is a representation of the specific aspects of the Igbo culture. Okonkwo's biggest part of his personality is his fear of failure to his father, which fed into his hate for soft and weak emotions. This resulted in Okonkwo's hate of femininity. (Agbala). He signifies the patriarchal system of the Igbo culture. A world where men were at the top of the social ladder, but also the 'celebrates the diverse opportunities of women'. Okonkwo summarizes the whole of Igbo culture, he was born from a low-status family, the fate brought upon him by his father, however; after working hard and strengthening himself, he was able to rise to a status much higher than his father would have ever reached. This emphasizes the fact that the Igbo culture is built up by society where people can work hard and grow to a higher status, unlike the Europeans; if you were born a peasant, you will stay a peasant. As the proverb goes in TFA, is a child washes his hands, he could eat with the kings". Okonkwo was a child, he washed his hand, and was able to eat with the kings, meaning that he was able to raise in ranks, higher, becoming one of the top men of the village, Umofia.
Okonkwo plays a very big role within Things Fall Apart, we can safely say that the story is all about him. Okonkwo as a person symbolizes many things within the Igbo culture and the effects of the colonization of Umofia. Initially, Okonkwo symbolized a very rigid mindset. He never completely adhered to the traditions and cultures of the village, especially if it went against him from getting what he desired. Okonkwo's personality and his impulsivity cause him to commit actions which go against the culture, however, his personality also allows him to respect the consequences and accept the outcome. Therefore, Okonkwo is both a representation for those who contradicted and were against traditions, but also of those who accepted and believed that the rules of the culture is what kept everyone in check, and kept the peace within the village.
Later on in the novel, Okonkwo shows us the effects of resisting change, lack of adaption. When Okonkwo comes back from his 7-year sentencing, he returns to and Umofia that is no longer that he knew. He came back with the hopes of regaining all that he has lost and becoming more than he was.
Okonkwo's character shows not only what was mentioned previously, but much bigger ideas as well. Okonkwo's character gives the audience a very important message about change and adaption. ' In a world constantly changing, what does not bend, breaks.' We can tie this very neatly with Okonkwo's situation. Okonkwo did not accept change, in fact, he hated any sort of change unless it was a change in his title making him more powerful. He couldn't handle the change in Umofia when he returned from his exile. Christians have changed everything. In this scenario, Okonkwo could not bend to fit in the box that the changes created, so he broke; he killed himself. By showing us Okonkows reaction to change, Achebe is giving us an example of what happens when change is not accepted.
Okonkwo is a representation of the specific aspects of the Igbo culture. Okonkwo's biggest part of his personality is his fear of failure to his father, which fed into his hate for soft and weak emotions. This resulted in Okonkwo's hate of femininity. (Agbala). He signifies the patriarchal system of the Igbo culture. A world where men were at the top of the social ladder, but also the 'celebrates the diverse opportunities of women'. Okonkwo summarizes the whole of Igbo culture, he was born from a low-status family, the fate brought upon him by his father, however; after working hard and strengthening himself, he was able to rise to a status much higher than his father would have ever reached. This emphasizes the fact that the Igbo culture is built up by society where people can work hard and grow to a higher status, unlike the Europeans; if you were born a peasant, you will stay a peasant. As the proverb goes in TFA, is a child washes his hands, he could eat with the kings". Okonkwo was a child, he washed his hand, and was able to eat with the kings, meaning that he was able to raise in ranks, higher, becoming one of the top men of the village, Umofia.
Okonkwo plays a very big role within Things Fall Apart, we can safely say that the story is all about him. Okonkwo as a person symbolizes many things within the Igbo culture and the effects of the colonization of Umofia. Initially, Okonkwo symbolized a very rigid mindset. He never completely adhered to the traditions and cultures of the village, especially if it went against him from getting what he desired. Okonkwo's personality and his impulsivity cause him to commit actions which go against the culture, however, his personality also allows him to respect the consequences and accept the outcome. Therefore, Okonkwo is both a representation for those who contradicted and were against traditions, but also of those who accepted and believed that the rules of the culture is what kept everyone in check, and kept the peace within the village.
Later on in the novel, Okonkwo shows us the effects of resisting change, lack of adaption. When Okonkwo comes back from his 7-year sentencing, he returns to and Umofia that is no longer that he knew. He came back with the hopes of regaining all that he has lost and becoming more than he was.
Okonkwo's character shows not only what was mentioned previously, but much bigger ideas as well. Okonkwo's character gives the audience a very important message about change and adaption. ' In a world constantly changing, what does not bend, breaks.' We can tie this very neatly with Okonkwo's situation. Okonkwo did not accept change, in fact, he hated any sort of change unless it was a change in his title making him more powerful. He couldn't handle the change in Umofia when he returned from his exile. Christians have changed everything. In this scenario, Okonkwo could not bend to fit in the box that the changes created, so he broke; he killed himself. By showing us Okonkows reaction to change, Achebe is giving us an example of what happens when change is not accepted.
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