CHARACTER ANALYSIS OF OKONKWO
Character Trait: Self-despair
Evidence (Chap 14):
1. "It was like beginning life anew without the vigor and enthusiasm of youth, like learning to become left-handed in old age."
2. “Work no longer had for him the pleasure it used to have, and when there was no work to do he sat in a silent half-sleep.”
Explanation:
Okonkwo took his family to Mbanta. His kinsmen there received them with open arms and helped them restart their lives and endure the seven years away from home. Okonkwo seemed defeated because living in exile was like starting all over from scratch. All the work that he had put into developing his status among his village was erased now, and he was forced to begin again. Besides, he did not enjoy doing work as hard as before. He lost his enthusiasm which used to have. Due to this, one of the elders of Mbanta, Uchende who noticed Okonkwo's self pity and at a large ceremony he told Okonkwo that it was his duty to his family to buck up and get through the exile so that he could take his family back home.
Character Trait: impulsive
Evidence (Chap 17):
- “Suddenly overcome with fury, sprang to his feet and gripped him by the neck.”
- “Answer me, before I kill you.”
Explanation:
The missionaries approached the elders of Mbanta to ask for a plot of land to build a church. The elders provided them with a space in the Evil Forest expecting that the forest would finish them off. The white man had built a school to educate the natives and left Mr. Kiaga in charge of the Mbanta church. Although Nwoye was curious about Christianity, he was careful not to make it too obvious because he knew Okonkwo would be furious. But one of Okonkwo's kinsmen noticed Nwoye near the church and reported it to the boy's father. When Nwoye came home that evening, Okonkwo began beating him impulsively without giving him any chance to explain. He stopped only until Uchende interrupted him. His aggressive and impulsive actions had made Nwoye left that night and joined the Christians eventually.