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Things Fall Apart Ikemefuna Quotes

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Ikemefuna, a boy sentenced by the Oracle to live in Umuofia as compensation for his father’s crimes, has lived in Okonkwo’s household for three years. During this time, Okonkwo, a respected warrior, becomes a father figure for him; and Nwoye, Okonkwo’s eldest son, becomes like a brother to him. In the novel Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, the author uses Okonkwo’s internal conflict as developed by diction to suggest Okonkwo’s weakness is his fear of being seen as weak.
Ogbuefi Ezeudu, the oldest man in their clan, comes to visit Okonkwo to inform him of the Oracle’s decision to kill Ikemefuna, he tells him “‘Do not bear a hand in his death.’” To which “Okonkwo was surprised” revealing his emotions, which can be taken as a sign of weakness …show more content…

Okonkwo “[sitting] still for a very long time” shows his hesitation to accept the news of Ikemefuna’s death sentence as he struggles to grasp the straightforward idea immediately. While he ponders the news he has received, he “[supports] his chin in his palms” which is a notable sign of weakness. The word “support” means to “bear all the weight of”. Okonkwo “supporting” his chin reveals the internal conflict he is battling in his head carries a significant weight. In his society Okonkwo is revered for his actions in war and during wrestling matches which gains him his status. Okonkwo is consistently described as a “man of action” so “sitting still” conflicts with his identity. Actions are commonly associated with masculinity and thinking is associated with weakness. By Okonkwo sitting with his chin in his palms he contorts his masculine image into a picture of weakness, thereby bringing his greatest fear into existence. Nwoye “[bursting] into tears” further encourages Okonkwo’s fears. Tears and the action of visibly showing emotions through crying is an undeniable sign of vulnerability and weakness. Okonkwo fears being seen as a weak man, by Nwoye proving he is weak, Okonkwo begins to fear his son will destroy the image he has worked to create for himself. Thereby causing others to perceive him as weak. The author wants the audience to draw comparisons between Nwoye and Okonkwo. Nwoye is a direct contradiction to Okonkwo’s visual of what a man should act like. When Nwoye struggles to control his emotions, he resorts to crying, a harmless act, while Okonkwo resorts to violence to

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