maandag 28 februari 2011

Essay: Things fall apart

Essay on Okonkwo’s relationships

Thing fall apart, the novel in which the life of Okonko and a lot of traditions are described. Okonkwo, the very strong and successful man with his three wives, son, daughter and friends. It seems like he’s not a very emotional man, although I think his relationships are very important to him.

For example when Ikemefuna is shot, he feels depressed for quite a while. Why did he still shoot Ikemefuna? Because he doesn’t want to look weak towards his ‘friends’, I think, if he had had a choice, he wouldn’t choose to shoot him, because I think he sees Ikemefuna as a real son and really loves him.

Secondly, when Enzinma is carried away by the oracle, Ekwefi follows her through the night. Okonkwo behaves like he doesn’t really love his wives, but this example show the opposite; he follows them both to all nine villages and to the caves. I think he is very afraid of something happening to his wife and daughter, but he doesn’t really show this in his daily life, because he doesn’t want to somehow look weak towards others.

Finally, I think he does attach more importance to his relationships than what he actually tells us. This is also showed by various examples, the depression after the death of Ikemefuna, the journey through the night. So, actually relationships are very important to Okonkwo, although it doesn’t seem like that at the start. Okonkwo needs them all, just like we do!

Geen opmerkingen:

Een reactie posten