Things Fall Apart

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
Fate is a powerful word, with different meanings to most individuals. To some, fate is a superstition. But to others, fate is a strong belief by which they live their life. For those who believe in fate, it can destroy the plans of even the strongest and most determined people. Which is what happened to Okonkwo in, “Things Fall Apart”. Okonkwo worked all his life to be everything his father was not, but his fate was inevitable and his inner weakness was revealed. His family was a main point of weakness for him but he tried not to let it show. Also, when his life became difficult, he took his own life proving how weak he truly was. First, one of Okonkwo’s major weak points was his family. He tried not to let it show, but he cared deeply for his family. For example, when Ikemefuna was introduced into Okonkwo’s life, Okonkwo immediately grew a stronger bond with Ikemefuna than he had with his real children. After raising Ikemefuna for three years, Okonkwo was told Ikemefuna must be killed. Not only did he agree to it but he took part in the brutal murder. On page 61, Achebe writes, “Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.” Although he loved Ikemefuna like his own son, he killed Ikemefuna to avoid being thought of as weak by his fellow clansmen. Another example of Okonkwo’s weakness when it came to his family was when he followed Ekwefi, Enzima and Chielo to the shrine. He wanted to ensure his daughter and wife’s safety. On page 112, Achebe says, “He allowed what he regarded as a reasonable and manly interval to pass and then gone with his machete to the shrine.” Next, the way fate destroyed Okonkwo’s plans was that it caused Okonkwo to kill himself. When he arrived back in Umuofia after his exile, he attempted to appear masculine but just got himself into trouble with the District Commissioner. He got himself and five other men put into something of which resembled a prison. He was beaten by guards and deprived of basic needs. When they were freed to go home, a town meeting was held to discuss recent events. When a messenger of the white men arrived to stop the meeting, Okonkwo killed him. On page 204, Achebe says, “Okonkwo’s machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body.” The innocent man was killed out of Okonkwo’s fury towards his own life. But killing the messenger wasn’t enough for Okonkwo, he took his own life as well. The Ibo culture requires that strangers bury the body of a man who has taken his own life. Okonkwo’s best friend, Obierika, was infuriated that recent happenings had caused Okonkwo to take his life. On page 208, Achebe writes, “That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself, and now he will be buried like a dog.” In final analysis, Okonkwo worked all his life to be everything his father was not but his fate was inevitable and he was proven to be weak. His family was a main point of weakness for him but he was too stubborn to let it show. Also, when life got harder and problems arose that he couldn’t handle, he killed himself. Okonkwo worried his whole life to ensure that he was not thought of as weak by his clansmen, but in the end he could not avoid being thought of as weak by himself.

Works Cited—
Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor Books, 1959. Print.

Parenthetical Citations—
First Quote: “Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.” (Achebe 61)
Second Quote: “He allowed what he regarded as a reasonable and manly interval to pass and then gone with his machete to the shrine.” (Achebe 112)
Third Quote: “Okonkwo’s machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body.” (Achebe 204)
Fourth Quote: “That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself, and now he will be buried like a dog.” (Achebe 208)

Citations: First Quote: “Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.” (Achebe 61) Second Quote: “He allowed what he regarded as a reasonable and manly interval to pass and then gone with his machete to the shrine.” (Achebe 112) Third Quote: “Okonkwo’s machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body.” (Achebe 204) Fourth Quote: “That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself, and now he will be buried like a dog.” (Achebe 208)