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Okonkwo's Reputation In Things Fall Apart

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Okonkwo's Reputation In Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe, author of “Things Fall Apart,” reveals how having a bad or good reputation will affect the level of respect received in a community. Okonkwo’s reputation of pride is governed by his fear of failure, so he refused to be around those who do not succeed in order to keep his respect, power, and courage of strength.

The actions of Okonkwo proves that he is well respected.The village of Umuofia shows honor and respect towards him for throwing the Cat “Amalinze”. It was such a huge accomplishment because, “Amalinze was a great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten , from Umuofia to Mbaino” (p.1). His reputation in the community was well known and moving faster than a wildebeest across the Savannah. “Okonkwo was well known throughout
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“ Okonkwo was provoked to justifiable anger by his youngest wife , who went to plait her hair at her friend’s house and did not return early enough to cook the afternoon meal” (p.29). Ojiugo and Okonkwo do not see eye to eye .This action was not acceptable in Okonkwo’s mind. She knew she had to cook before doing any of her personal necessities. In this village, no wife should disrespect their husbands in any way. All of his wives do as demanded , but not the youngest of them all. Ojiugo will do her necessities before his desires. Okonkwo waited for her to return back to his compound. When she returned , he beat her heavily. “In this anger he had forgotten that it was the Week of Peace” (p.29). This sanctified week did not affect the way he wanted to express his hands to Ojiugo. “Okonkwo’s neighbors heard his wife crying and sent their voices to the compound walls to ask her what was the matter. Some of them came over to see for themselves. It was unheard of to beat somebody during the sacred week” (p.30). This incident should persuade the neighbors to lose respect for him. They should be ashamed to even admire him as leader of his compound due to his disrespectful actions which illustrates his failure and weakness against the principals of the

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