Things Fall Apart Post #2

Things Fall Apart continues to further Okonkwo's character even more. As the story goes on, everything for Oknonkwo seems to go downhill. Okonkwo' character development is beginning to pick up even more. Author, Achebe, exploits the flaws in Okonkwo's character. For instance, Okonkwo beat one of his wives badly during a sacred week. " In his anger he had forgotten that it was the week of peace." (pg.29) Okonkwo is then summoned before a priestess. "You have committed a great evil."(pg.30) The natives of his tribe believe in chi. The significance of Chi in this story is that fact that it allows personal flaws to be more forgivable because such blame is on the Chi itself. By Okonkwo's actions, Achebe indicates a large gender inequality in this tribe. Okonkwo calls lesser men "women" as a derogatory term. This shows that woman represent failure or perhaps a certain weakness also. The irony of this gender role is the fact that Okonkwo respects the Goddesses and the priestesses which happen to be women. Another character that begins to develop more is Ikemefuna. Early on, not much was known about him. Ikemefuna begins to form a close relationship with Okoknwo's family especially Nwoye. This indicates a positivity in Ikemefuna. The fact that Ikemefuna was taken away from his family and is still able to "feel like a member of Okonkwo's family" (pg.34) displays a character trait not many people have. Achebe tells of Okonkwo taking a liking into Ikemefuna, but being the man he is, Okonkwo could never show it.