![]() Ezeudu was an important leader in the village and achieved three titles of the clan's four, a rare accomplishment. When Ogbuefi Ezeudu dies, Okonkwo worries because the last time that Ezeudu visited him was when he warned Okonkwo against participating in the killing of Ikemefuna. The next morning, Chielo takes Ezinma to Ekwefi's hut and puts her to bed. Okonkwo surprises Ekwefi by arriving at the cave, and he also waits with her. Ekwefi follows secretly, in spite of Chielo's admonitions, and waits at the entrance of the Oracle. Chielo carries Ezinma to all nine villages and then enters the Oracle's cave. Although Okonkwo and Ekwefi protest, Chielo takes a terrified Ezinma on her back and forbids anyone to follow. In her role as priestess, Chielo tells Ekwefi (Okonkwo's second wife) that Agbala (the Oracle of the Hills and Caves) needs to see Ezinma. One elder wonders why such a trivial dispute would come before the egwugwu. The egwugwu tell the husband to take wine to his in-laws and beg his wife to come home. Her brother took her back to their family's village, but her husband wanted her back home. The wife, Mgbafo, had been severely beaten by her husband. Okonkwo does not sit among the other eight leaders, or elders, while they listen to a dispute between an estranged husband and wife. The nine clan leaders, or egwugwu, also represent the nine villages of Umuofia. Nine clan leaders, including Okonkwo, represent the spirits of their ancestors. Okonkwo gathers grasses, barks, and leaves to prepare medicine for Ezinma.Ī public trial is held on the village commons. Their daughter Ezinma, whom Okonkwo is fond of, is dying. After discussing Ikemefuna's death with Obierika, Okonkwo is finally able to sleep restfully, but he is awakened by his wife Ekwefi. Obierika says that Okonkwo's act will upset the Earth and the earth goddess will seek revenge. Okonkwo becomes depressed after killing Ikemefuna, so he visits his best friend, Obierika, who disapproves of his role in Ikemefuna's killing. Nwoye realizes that his father has murdered Ikemefuna and begins to distance himself from his father and the clansmen. Consequently, Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna with his machete. ![]() He feels that not participating would be a sign of weakness. He tells Okonkwo not to partake in the murder, but Okonkwo doesn't listen. The Oracle says that Ikemefuna must be killed as part of the retribution for the Umuofian woman killed three years earlier in Mbaino. Later, he severely beats and shoots a gun at his second wife, Ekwefi, because she took leaves from his banana plant to wrap food for the Feast of the New Yam.Īfter the coming of the locusts, Ogbuefi Ezeuder, the oldest man in the village, relays to Okonkwo a message from the Oracle. He violates the Week of Peace when he beats his youngest wife, Ojiugo, because she went to braid her hair at a friend's house and forgot to prepare the afternoon meal and feed her children. Over the years, Okonkwo becomes an extremely volatile man he is apt to explode at the slightest provocation. ![]() Ikemefuna befriends Okonkwo's son, Nwoye, and Okonkwo becomes inwardly fond of the boy. He resolves to overcome the shame that he feels as a result of his father's weaknesses by being what he considers to be "manly" therefore, he dominates his wives and children by being insensitive and controlling.īecause Okonkwo is a leader of his community, he is asked to care for a young boy named Ikemefuna, who is given to the village as a peace offering by neighboring Mbaino to avoid war with Umuofia. Okonkwo despises and resents his father's gentle and idle ways. Unoka died a shameful death and left numerous debts. He was referred to as agbala, one who resembles the weakness of a woman and has no property. Within the community, Unoka was considered a failure and a laughingstock. Consequently, his wife and children often went hungry. He often borrowed money and then squandered it on palm-wine and merrymaking with friends. Okonkwo's father, Unoka, was a lazy and wasteful man. Okonkwo determines to gain titles for himself and become a powerful and wealthy man in spite of his father's weaknesses. He first earns personal fame and distinction, and brings honor to his village, when he defeats Amalinze the Cat in a wrestling contest. Okonkwo is a respected and influential leader within the Igbo community of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria. Things Fall Apart is about the tragic fall of the protagonist, Okonkwo, and the Igbo culture.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |