The Most Masculine Man
In the story Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe portraits Okonkwo, the main character, as a symbol of masculinity. His strong hatred toward his lazy father Unoka, Okonkwo adopts a extreme ideal of masculinity and strives him to achieve a title of strongest man.
“Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements. ” (1)
Okonkwo’s ideal of becoming productive, wealthy, and strong defines the word “masculinity” used in Things Fall Apart.
Throughout the novel, Okonkwo is illustrated as the most successful man in the Umuofia clan who built a magnificent farm from nothing.
“Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men usually had. ” (16)
In the story of Things Fall Apart, having barns full of yams is one of the status a masculine man should have. Those barns are usually inherited from their fathers and is passed on to their children. However, Okonkwo could not inherit any barns from his father. “He did not inherit a barn from his father. There was no barn to inherit.” (16)
Okonkwo’s father Unoka was a lazy and improvident person. He was a very talented flutist but, never brought food to his family. He uses all his money in
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Not only that Okonkwo had a magnificent farm, but he also has three wives. In the traditional African culture illustrated in Things Fall Apart, polygamy was allowed and was one of the status a masculine man has. Marriage status was not only important for men but it is also important for women. When women choose its husband they look for how wealthy he is. A man’s wealth is recognized by its number of farms and its status so by marrying a wealthy man, the wife is guaranteed for a peaceful life without starving. To marry a productive man was the top priorities for women when choosing its husband. Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s second wife is a good