The positive relationship Ikemefuna has with both Nwoye and Okonkwo, as well as Ikemefuna’s ultimate murder by Okonkwo, illuminates the central theme of destiny and fate in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Ikemefuna’s fate was decided for him so early in the novel because he was traded for a crime which he had no part in; he was the victim of circumstance and he could not do anything to avoid it. Ikemefuna was a fish out of water when he was forced to live with Okonkwo, however, he created a very good relationship with Nwoye. Before Ikemefuna, Nwoye was very tired and lazy. After Nwoye befriended him, he became more energetic and lively. Achebe describes, “Okonkwo’s son, Nwoye, who was two years younger, became quite inseparable from him because he seemed to know everything” (Achebe 28). …show more content…
“Even Okonkwo himself became very fond of the boy--inwardly of course” (Achebe 28). Okonkwo never outwardly expressed his emotion towards Ikemefuna for fear of losing his masculinity. After living in Umuofia for three years, the elders of the clan decided it was time to execute Ikemefuna. Elders warned Okonkwo, “That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death” (Achebe 57). However, Okonkwo went against the elders; he came to Ikemefuna’s execution and did nothing to stop it. Achebe explains, “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe