Okonkwo: Character Analysis

          It is arguable to say that Okonkwo, the leading protagonist in Chinua Achebe’s book ‘Things Fall Apart’ is a likable character. Throughout the book we see Okonkwo act out through his attempts in trying to avoid becoming his father, who has been described in the story as weak-willed, feminine, and lazy, painting him in a bad image, and bringing t his family to shame. As consequence, Okonkwo pushes to become a more masculine figure, by showing no emotion, and beating his wives and children. His psychology is understood when Okonkwo’s background, and his father's fate is revealed, however what makes his character unlikeable is his lack of development in the story, and his refusal to develop as a character because of his fear of being perceived as weak.  

          Following the death of Ikemefuna, it almost seems as the character has shifted into becoming a more dynamic human. This can be seen through his protectiveness towards his daughter Ezinma, when she gets sick, and his willingness to challenge the will of the Gods when he follows Ekwefi, after Ezinma was tooken by Chielo. It is also seen through the guilt he feels following the assassination of Ikemefuna. Okonkwo, for a brief moment became a sympathetic character. Even when Okonkwo is exiled, and confronted by Uchendu, his uncle, I expected that his character would figure out a way to redeem himself, and change his mindsight, and maybe even take a more heroic role in the story. However, even though I would admit that Okonkwo did change in a positive way; he  became more sociable with the klansmen in Mbanta, and became less abusive, his characteristics shifted when his son Okoye, converted to christianity, and ran away. This can explain Okonkwo's lack of development towards the end of the story, because not only did his anger towards Christianity strengthen, but also his ideologies, and his impulsiveness.

          When his disapproval over the change of custom in Umuofia is revealed, he begins to call his fatherland a ‘Feminine’ village. This along with his resentment towards the rise of Christian conversions, made his character into a symbol for the strength of the remaining clansmen. His weaknesses however, which consist of impulsiveness, and resentment, later help lead to his downfall. Although, his lapses of dynamic, do play a role in helping him become a unsympathetic character, it could also suggest that he has changed, but following his exile, and Okoye’s conversion to Christianity, Okonkwo chose to not change at all.