Okonkwo Analysis

The ability to be flexible and tolerant are values that Okonkwo, the protagonist, disregards which can contribute to his overall reference to the more conservative values that Igbo land entails. Okonkwo, for some aspects, is symbolic of the society to a degree as his hyper-masculinity and fear of weakness are all values that are engrained throughout his character by his surroundings and not individual definition. These major flaws through his characterization could then be concluded are a consequence of societal impact on his personality and values as this is displayed in his stubbornness and inability to conform, which is further exemplified when he delivers the striking blow to Ikemefuna even when it is against his intuition and moral values. The osu can be representative of the weaknesses throughout Igbo society and are showcased as outcasts because of their physical differences however this is justified because these reflect the similar weakness in their society, which makes it possible to ‘fall apart.’ Unpredictability and difference ultimately then produce the weakness in this society. However, this rejection into society because of differences represents hypocrisy in their values as they strive for equality amongst all members as a principle of cosmological and religious balance although their patriarchal system is still existing. The only true example of some instance of gender balance is in the Oracle of Agbala who is female however this is contradicted throughout the novel as males are highly discouraged from displaying any traits that can be viewed as feminine or showing any signs of idleness. This is reinforced with Okonkwo’s wishes for his daughter to be born a girl instead in order to appropriately  connect her more ‘masculine’ traits with a masculine body. To conclude, Okonkwo is a representative character of Igbo land’s patriarchal values as a result of his hyper-masculinity however also is symbolic of the hypocrisy in balance between the Igbo people. 

Okonkwo’s characterization ultimately represents the opposing perspectives that are demonstrated in Igbo society that are inaccurately depicted in literature during colonization as a justification for slavery and mistreatment. His character assists in Achebe’s portrayal of the British colonization with a neutral eye as Okonkwo can be seen as representative of weakness in Igbo society which can lead to the ‘falling apart,’ of their society. Achebe thus wanting to demonstrate how Igbo people were far from uncivilized as they had their own belief systems and jurisdiction, however their society had fatal flaws that should have their own recognition in how their system, although far from barbaric according to literature, has components that have to be altered for the Nigerian independence. However, within the text, Okonkwo represents the tragic hero archetype and displays fatal flaws that not only make himself more relatable for the audience, but display ‘warnings’ for valued traits that should be opposed. His fear of weakness and femininity results in his foreshadowed downfall which comes as a result of his inability to be flexible and incorporate the society’s balance and duality. 

Okonkwo, as a result of this, further implies the proverb of, ‘what doesn’t bend will break,’ in that society’s errors can be contributed to the inability to have flexible values and accept changes. This contributes to the bigger idea of Nigerian independence, as in the text, Okonkwo is relentless in refusing to associate himself with the British and their colonization and actually becomes very aggressive with his society for not taking more violent approaches to exiling them. This inability to accept changes in society results in his death and Achebe thus wants to display this error as a warning for it’s audience to be accepting of strengths even if they are different. This applies to the Nigerian independence as Achebe is at a cultural crossroad with his identity and wants to display the incorporation of Christianity into their society and how the acceptance of colonization resulted in strengths for their people.