“As soon as his father walked in, that night, Nyowe knew that Ikemefuna had been killed, and something seemed to give way inside of him, like the snapping of a tightened bow. He did not cry. He just hung limp'' (Achebe 61). This is Nyowe's reaction after Ikemefuna had been led to his murder who he looked up to as a brother he never had. While growing up Ikemefuna was the only positive masculine energy in Nyowe’s life due to Okonkwo's frequent outbursts. Earlier in the chapter locusts had spread all around Umuofia “And then quite suddenly a shadow fell on the world, and the sun seemed hidden behind a thick cloud…”Locusts are descending,” was joyfully chanted everywhere”(Achebe 55). Although Nyowe often has a dislike for his father when with Ikemefuna he didn't mind being with him. …show more content…
During the early chapters, the audience see Okonkwo's negative impact on his own family being abusive and dismissive. When talking to his daughter Ezinma he always wishes she had been born a boy due to her character. Even after going through a rough time after killing Ikemefuna when Ezinma tries to comfort him he just thinks to himself how better it would be if she were a boy ”She should have been a boy okonkwo said to himself again”(Achebe 64). When talking about Nyowe he refers to him as lazy and nothing like him most likely thinking of his father who had lived a lazy lifestyle which he is strongly against. Once ikemefuna is settled in after being home sick he becomes a part of the family helping out with tasks “Okonkwo and the two boys were working on the red outer walls of the compound”(Achebe 55). With Ikemefuna being around Nyowe hes a positive masculine figure as both characters are around the same age,After Ikemefunas death all this tension has been built up the text compares Nyowes realization to a rope “lile the snapping of a tightened bow”(Achebe 61). Nyowe was in need of a