Things Fall Apart Post #2

Okonkwo is a very interesting character. Fear is constantly flowing through his veins as in his dna. His father was a weak man often being called “agbala” or woman. Okonkwo was born with weakness in him, this has made him stronger than his father. “...his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness.”(pg 13) this shows that the fear was deeper than just the embarrassment. Okonkwo wanted to never be at the same level or lower than his father. It was an internal fear and still haunts him no matter how tough everyone perceives him.

Another interesting part of this novel is the importance of beliefs and superstitions. Unoka always makes sacrifices to “Ani, the owner of all land.”(pg 17) before starting his crops. Also makes a sacrifice to the shrine of Ifejioku, and the god of yams. He has to make sure he pleases them to ensure a good harvest. Another belief was the oracle,“...people came from far and near to consult it.”(pg 16). People would come for reconciliation for misfortune or to discover their future. I guess this is somewhat relatable to how we go to physics or our belief in our own god. Also, the time when Okonkwo took the eight hundred seed-yams from Nwakibie, they believed that “the world had gone mad.”(pg 23). Everything was believed to be miss timed, too early or too late, and  the sun had beamed hotter than ever while the first rain came late.