by Courtney Shay

Created on: February 16, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

Okonkwo and Tradition in Things Fall Apart

In the beginning of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo is introduced as a strong, famous, and respectable character. He is well known for his wrestling achievements, his physical strength, his barns full of yams, and his two titles. The novel states "he was already one of the greatest men of his time" (Achebe 2087). This makes Okonkwo appear to be a very honorable character. He clings to the traditions of his tribe, as most humans do cling to tradition. He believes in the traditions so strongly that as those traditions are slowly destroyed, Okonkwo's life is destroyed along with them.

In contrast to Okonkwo's description, his father is described very negatively. It is clear that Okonkwo is nothing like his father and does not wish to be. This is why he has dedicated his life to being such a hard worker. "His whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness" (Achebe 2089). The reason that Okonkwo is afraid of appearing weak is the influence of the tribe. It is not likely that he would have such strong fears if it were not for the influence of the standards of masculinity that the tribe has set. Osei-Nyame discusses the importance of male-centered traditions in his article "Representations of Gender and Tradition in Things Fall Apart." He suggests that "Okonkwo is obsessed with championing his masculinity" (3). This is a reason that Okonkwo tries so hard not to be anything like his father who was called "agbala," an Ibo word for laziness or "a man who had taken no title," which also referred to a woman. Okonkwo does not want his masculinity to be questioned.

A little farther into the novel, the reader discovers some of Okonkwo's less pleasing traits. It is revealed that his family lives in constant fear of him because of his "fiery temper." This is possibly his greatest character flaw. He beats his wives and children. He even explodes in rage causing him to do such things as shoot at one of his wives, or beat her severely during the Week of Peace when violence of any kind is unheard of. Another situation that may cause the reader to lose respect for Okonkwo is his insistence on taking part in the killing of Ikemefuna. Even after repeatedly being advised by the elders not to take part in it, he is still set on going. He is stubborn and does go. To make matters worse, it is Okonkwo who actually kills Ikemefuna, the boy who calls him "Father" (Achebe 2019). He kills the young boy because of fear.

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