How important is one's reputation in one's culture? In the novel, Things Fall Apart Achebe portrays how important a man’s reputation in his culture is. Throughout the novel the reader notices Okonkwo struggles with his masculinity and being seen as similar to his father. Okonkwo’s reputation and the way his community view him affects the way he acts from who he really is. The men in the Ibo culture are represented as men who believe that if you show any soft or “feminine” emotions you are weak and not “manly enough” they are taught this their entire lives. Okonkwo views “being a man” as someone who does not show any signs of weakness. He is taught to believe that a man should never show affection to anyone and if he does, it should only be anger. Okonkwo wants to be seen as masculine and is afraid that others will not see him as a man especially if he shows affection towards …show more content…
He gains respect from his village by overthrowing a great wrestler who was unbeaten for seven years. “... during this time Okonkwo’s fame had grown like a bushfire in harmattan ... He had not patience with unsuccessful men.” (4). Okonkwo identifies reputation with power and courage. He is very proud of his own accomplishments and reputation that he looks down on others and anyone with anything less than him. He is highly ranked in his village but he is also a very aggressive and prideful man. Okonkwo equates manliness with doing something physical or having many crops and huts in his village. Due to this, he feels that he is very successful and highly looked up to in Umuofia. “His fame rested on solid and personal achievements. As a young man of eighteen he had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat” (3). Okonkwo believes that doing something physical and winning means that you are a man. He feels that you gain the respect of others by proving that you are “man