Examples Of Masculinity In Things Fall Apart

Men have always been masculine and have been driven to be this way by society. Yet this can sadly lead to suffering, as it has happened to many men. In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, we see traditional African culture through the Umuofian villager Okonkwo. Toughness is valued in Umuofia. Yet this toughness can lead to actions which are condemned by Umuofians, as seen in Okonkwo’s story. Umuofians value masculinity and power in their society. A man is king, he who has many wives and titles is at the top of their society. Okonkwo had three wives and two titles. He was truly powerful and respected by many in his clan, as he had washed his hands and could eat among kings, as said in Chapter 1 of the novel. Okonkwo was blessed with

Okonkwo had built a legacy for himself at a young age, as shown in the following quote, “At an early age he had achieved fame as the greatest wrestler in all the land. That was not luck”(Achebe 27). It is mentioned in the opening pages of Chapter One that Okonkwo defeated the greatest wrestler in all of the nine villages at a young age. This act gave him much renown and it also showcased his great strength. Showing off one’s strength is very masculine, which was good for Okonkwo. It was his goal to be as masculine as possible, and masculinity involves strength. Okonkwo also grew his compound and family from nothing, as his father had nothing for him to inherit. The following paraphrase showcases his beginnings and how he began to build up his legacy and farm, “He worked hard to earn his first yams from Nwakibie, which turned into the worst year of his life up until he was exiled. There was much difficulty in sowing the crops because the weather was so intensely hot and then so intensely rainy. He made it through somehow, proclaiming that since he survived that year, he can survive anything. He supported his father, mother, and his sisters, growing yams and working hard”(Achebe 21-25). He was a good son. In time, he had his own family of three wives and several children, such as Ezinma and Nwoye. His second wife also fell in love with him when she saw him wrestling, further proving the fact that Okonkwo’s intense masculinity benefited him. Finally, Okonkwo had participated in and shown his strength in two inter-tribal wars, as well as killed at least five people, by the time of Chapter Eight. His performance in battle helped to grow his renown and show that he had washed his hands, proving he could “eat among the kings and elders”(Achebe 8). His intense masculinity fueled his every action, leading to good things for him,