How Is Okonkwo So Weak

Chinua Achebe’s acclaimed novel, Things Fall Apart takes readers to the world of Oknonkwo. Okonkwo is a hard working and powerful clan member in the Igbo village. He is also very strong and stern. However, behind this authoritative man, there is something even more powerful, his fear. Okonkwo does not inherit anything from his father, for his father was weak and lazy. Hence, Okonkwo needs to work extremely hard to get a title and land. This also creates a fear of weakness that became indelibly built in his heart. He does not want to follow in his father’s footsteps, so he becomes driven to be strong and masculine. However, Okonkwo’s fear of being weak and womanly, becomes his ultimate downfall, for it not only affects his relationship with his family, but it will also contribute to his death.

Okonkwo's fear of showing weakness undermines his relationship with his sons. For example, even though Okonkwo does love Ikemefuna, "he was afraid of being thought weak,"(Achebe-61) causing him to draw ‘’his machete and cut [Ikemefuna's] down"(61). This not only contributes to the murder of Ikemefuna, but also creates a barrier in Okonkwo and his son's relationship. Before the death of Ikemefuna, Okonkwo’s son, Nwoye

In one case, Okonkwo punishs his wife by beating her for “merely [cutting] a few leaves…” (38). Okonkwo is afraid of following his father’s footsteps by being weak, so he believes it is a show of strength to beat his wife. His “the fear of weakness” (13), causes his wife to be physically pained and leaves his “daughter weeping” (38). Additionally, although Okonkwo “favors his daughter”(173), he doesn’t believe in showing public affection or love to his daughter. If he shows affection, he believes that he is acting weak and womanly. This causes him to be distant and impulsive. Therefore, Okonkwo’s fear causes a lot of headache and affliction on his wives and