Blog Post 3

            Throughout chapters nine to thirteen, Achebe exposes Okonkwo’s compassion. Okonkwo’s true feelings add more to his traits rather than identifying him as a savage beast. Achebe also illustrates ceremonies, meetings, and beliefs in Umuofia. These events contain several themes, symbols, and motifs.

            As it turns out, Okonkwo is not a complete, cold-hearted brute. Okonkwo, like most human beings, has an affectionate side to his character even though he doesn’t publicly show it. After Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, he could not sleep for three nights. Okonkwo covertly cares for his children and wife as well. Instead of beating Ekwefi for disturbing his slumber, he goes to help Ezinma from her illness. Another instance is when Okonkwo searches for Ekwefi and Ezinma in the middle of the night. He pretends that his search is a “manly interval,” but in reality, Okonkwo was “gravely worried” for his wife and child (pg. 112). Achebe includes this in the novel to show that Okonkwo is capable of feeling guilt and turmoil. This makes his character seem more realistic and relatable to the reader.

            In chapter ten, there is a town meeting over a dispute on Uzowulu’s wife. The counsels of the dispute are the egwugwu. The egwugwu are “spirits” that represent each of the nine villages. Although Achebe hints that they are not actually spirits of ancestors, the egwugwu still symbolize the Ibo’s traditions and beliefs in evil spirits. This explains why a medicine man uses witch crafting instead of real medicine. For example, Okagbue mutilated the body of a dead child as a method to get rid of the spirit that is tormenting Ekwefi. Sacrificing is another action and motif that expresses the villager’s belief in spirits. The villagers sacrifice kola nuts, yams, goats, and other foods for their ancestors and goddess. This is similar to the sacrifices that Odysseus makes to the gods in The Odyssey.

            The theme of sin and fear is shown after Okonkwo accidentally kills a man at Ezeudu’s funeral. Every sin or crime has a punishment decreed by the goddess. Similar to the time he breaks the week of peace, Okonkwo is also punished for killing a clan member. Although it is an accident, or a female offense, Okonkwo and his family are exiled for seven years, and the people of Umuofia have to demolish his property. This is due to the fear of going “against the great goddess” (pg. 125). They feared the wrath of the goddess just as the Phaeacians feared the wrath of Poseidon. Ekwefi also expresses fear in defying the goddess when she stalked the oracle to her temple.

            The purpose for Achebe to include these celebrations and gatherings is for him to respond to the European Colonization in Africa. He wants to build complexity and unique appearances in these villages to show that African tribal members are humans and not animals. The structure of their society might not be considered acceptable by most people, but they should have the right to follow these customs without interference.