Please FIRST read the post entitled "Welcome To Honors English 9!" before this one.
Now that you have read the first 5 chapters ofThings Fall Apart, you should have a strong impression of Okonkwo. You might also be a bit overwhelmed with all of the many cultural differences between yourself and the villagers. That’s okay! I hope that you are taking advantage of the glossary in the back on the book to help with the Ibo words. Please write down all of the questions you have along the way, as this will guide our discussions once class begins in August. Feel free to post any questions you have now as well.
I realize that it can be difficult to keep all of the characters straight. Use this website as a guide to help keep track of who’s who:
Remember to post your response to this discussion by midnight on June 13th. Please discuss the prompt below. Remember to follow the 50-word minimum.
I hope you are having a wonderful break and will continue to enjoy the book!
Mrs. K
Discussion Prompt #1:
The text states, “Age was respected among his people, but achievement was revered. As the elders said, if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings. Okonkwo had clearly washed his hands and so he ate with kings and elders” (5-6).
How have Okonkwo’s feelings about his father shaped his relationships with his wives and children? Explain why you think this is by pulling specifics from the texts. Be sure to cite your source like I did above.
Okonkwo blames his father for his execrable childhood. His father was a lazy, mellow man who never made his mark in the community and took poor care of his family. As the book says, "Okonkwo was ruled by one passion-to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved." (13) Because he resented his father for his miserable upbringing, Okonkwo resolved to be nothing like him. Unoka's laziness and mildness were replaced with determination and irritability. To his family, Okonkwo is everything that his father was not. He works his family strenuously like his father failed to. "Even as a little boy he had resented his father's failure and weakness." (13) So Okonkwo resolved to be the exact opposite of his derided father.
ReplyDeleteGreat response! You noted the differences between Okonkwo and Unoka, as well as the reasons for these differences.
DeletePlease put the period after your citation:
...weakness" (13).
Nice work!
Okonkwo was a first-hand witness to Unoka's idleness. His family was always poor and heavily in debt because of Unoka. Okonkwo was ashamed of his father. Once, when Unoka went to consult the oracle, the priestess told him his lack of yam crop was because of Unoka himself, instead of bad luck as Unoka had assumed. Because of his shame of his father, Okonkow decided he would become everything his father was not. "... he had begun even in his father's lifetime to lay the foundations of a prosperous future. It was slow and painful. But he threw himself into it like one possessed." (18) He became a war hero, a champion wrestler, and an excellent farmer.
ReplyDeleteHis contempt for his father quickly became fear of laziness and gentleness. If any of his children showed signs of idleness, especially Nwoye, he nagged and beat them. He had a fiery temper, and all of his wives and children feared him.
Besides his fear of laziness and gentleness, Okonkwo feared weakness. He was a very strong man, and rarely showed fatigue. However, his wives and children were not as strong, and they suffered from it. Okonkwo refused to show any emotions but anger, because he considered affection and similar emotions to be weakness, and this mindset contributed to his hot temper. But his harsh personality served him well: he was very successful.
Great observations here. You noted that Okonkwo's contempt turned into laziness and gentleness. This is huge and will lead to the falling action later in the text.
DeleteGood work!
Okonkwo is ashamed of his father, Unoka. Unoka was always in debt with his neighbors and others. When Unoka died the hated of others passed on to his son, Okonkwo. Okonkwo was strong, fierce and intimidating. The book says, "As a young man of eighteen he had brought honor to his village by throwing the Amalinze the Cat." Amalinze was known as the cat because he had never been put on his back. He was undefeated for seven years until Okonkwo defeated him. (1) Okonkwo won his acceptance and honor by being the complete opposite from his father.
ReplyDeleteSince Unoka gave such poor attention to his family, Okonkwo wanted to give all the attention he could give. Okonkwo gave so much attention to his family that he would beat on and yell at them. Some may say that Okonkwo had great relationships with his family and others disagree. I disagree with the statement that Okonkwo had a great relationships with his family because his family didn't like to be around him. They were scared to admit their wrong doings to him. For example, Okonkwo got mad at his second wife for accidentally killing their banana tree, but Okonkwo took his rage to far and his rage lead to almost shooting his second wife, "He pressed the trigger and there was a loud report accompanied by the wail of his wives and children." (39)
Good observations. You seem to have a good grasp on how Unoka affected Okonkwo.
DeleteYou stated, "When Unoka died the hated of others passed on to his son, Okonkwo." Will you expand on that, please? I'm not sure what you mean. Also, check your 1st citation.
Thanks!
"He had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had no patience with his father." (4) These two sentences distinctly declare the uncomfortable relationship Okonkwo had with his father, Unoka. Unoka was not successful. He was a lazy man who wasted his spare money on palm-wine and sat around all day. Now, the Unoka's drinking did not bother Okonkwo as much as the laziness and the procrastination. Okonkwo was born as a hard-working, aggressive, and determined man, who could think of nothing better then working in the field and showing off his manliness. Unoka, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. This is the real reason why Okonkwo became successful and well known. It is because of his drive and inspiration to work for anything and everything he needs and wants. This is why he shoves his family around into working, because he wants them to have a near-perfect future. If he sees his children or wives slacking off, or being inattentive, it reminds him of his no-good father, and he does not want to live that life again. He just wants the best for them... although he may not have to be so harsh and brutal to get them to something and be obedient.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point. Is it Okonkwo's love for his family that causes him to be so harsh or simply the hatred he has for his father? This is something we will discuss in class.
Delete"Okonkwo was very well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements."(1) These two sentences clearly state that Okonkwo was hard working. This contrasts how his father, Unoka, lived his life. Unoka was "lazy and improvident and quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow." (2) Okonkwo realized his father was a failure early on in life and was embarrassed by him. He started his farms early on with out any inheritance like the other boys his age had. Okonkwo was determined not to fail and didn't want his sons to either. He was very strict and harsh with his sons, hoping they will come to be successful like him. Okonkwo was also very harsh with his wives. He was angered easily, and when he was agitated he would take his anger violently. A great example of this is in chapter 5 when Okonkwo beats his second wife because she cut only a few leaves off of the tree. Later on in that same day, he tried to shoot her after she had said something about 'guns that never shot' (39) Yes, she had said something a bit rude, but Okonkwo is to harsh to think things through, he feels the need to control or instruct others or else they will be like his father. In this way, he is trying to do the best for others but it doesn't need to be done in such a harsh manner.
ReplyDeleteYou agree that Okonkwo's wife did something wrong, but you disagree with his reaction. So, the real questions can only be answered once we figure out what is appropriate behavior. This is tough, because our culture is completely different than Okonkwo's. Alas, we will definitely try!
DeleteBecause Okonkwo's father, Unoka, was "lazy and improvident," (2) he did not inherit all of the things that other young men his age did. He had to get all of it through hard work. He may be harsh to his family because he does not want them to end up like his father. A good example of this would be in chapter four, when he beats his youngest wife because she was plaiting her hair at a friend's house, and she did not return in time to prepare the afternoon meal. He is not always harsh. He is quite fond of the boy who was brought to his village, Ikemefuna, and his daughter, Ezinma.
ReplyDeleteAs Okonkwo grew up "He had no patience with with unsuccessful men. He had had no patience with his father."(4) That was Okonkwo's attitude as he grew up and as he is with his wife and children. One example is when Ojiugo went to her friends house to plait her hair. Ojiugo was supposed to be cook the afternoon meal but wasn't back yet. "Okonkwodid not know that at first that she was not at home. After waiting in vain far her dish he went to her hut to see what she was doing. There was nobody in the hut and the fireplace was cold."(29) After questioning his other wives he found out were she was and awaited her return. "And when she returned he beat her very heavily." Even though it was the Week of Peace "Okonkwo was not the man to stop beating somebody half-way through, not even in fear of a goddess."(30) Okonkwo was not very forgiving to his wives and children.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo is a man who thrived on being great and powerful, but this mainly became about because of his father. Okonkwo hated his father, Unoka. He wanted to be the exact opposite of his father. His father was lazy and Okonkwo was mad that he inherited no barn or seeds to start his yam farm. He probably hated his father the most because his dad had a natural talent. In the book it says, “He wore a haggard and mournful look except when he was drinking or playing the flute. He was very good on his flute, and his happiest moments were the two or three moons after harvest when the village musicians brought down their instruments…” (2). You see Unoka could have made money by playing his flute and left inheritance for Okonkwo, but he left nothing. Unoka had a talent but he was lazy and only wanted to party. Okonkwo then wanted to live his life away from his father’s and lead a different roll in his families’ lives. Instead of being incredibly soft like his father, he was way too hard. His family had to work hard to meet his expectations. Okonkwo was so hard on his family that he was the opposite of Unoka. He strived so hard at being different than his father that in the process he became cruel to his family.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo does not want to be like his father. His father was lazy and in debt all the time. He was unable to make a good living for him and his family. However Unoka loved music and dancing and was a good person overall. The text states, “Unoka was very good on his flute, and his happiest moments were the two or three moons after the harvest when the village musicians brought down their instruments, hung above the fire place.” (page 4)
ReplyDeleteIn Okonkwo’s eyes his dad was womanly. “He had no patience for unsucceful men he had no patience for his father” (pg.4) Okonkwo does not want to be like him or let his sons be like him. He is hard on his family and is very strict.
In Okonkwos' eyes his father was a failure and was always in debt. He was creating a larger and larger hole to climb out of. The text states, "He was poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat. People laughed at him because he was a loafer, and they swore never to lend him any more money because he never paid back." Okonkwo wanted nothing to do with his father and wanted to be the exact opposite of what his father was known as. Because he did not have a good example to follow he treated his wives and children badly because he was never taught anything about having a family of his own. I think that his relationship with his father has greatly affected his own family relationship. I also think that his father didn't express his love to him, and that is why he refuses to show great affection to his wives and children.
ReplyDeleteI agree a lot on what you have said. I like where you said how his father didn't express his love to him and that in return is the reason why he doesn't show affection.
Delete"Okonkwo was ruled by one passon --to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved (13)." Okonkwo was so ashamed of his father. He was so set to become the exact opposite of Unoka, that he was willing to hate anything that Unoka loved. Everyone saw Unoka as an immense failure, especially his own son, Okonkwo. Okonkwo wanted to be great and powerful, but maybe the only reason he wanted to do so was because he was trying so hard to be the opposite of his father. Maybe the only reason he was a mighty warrior was because his father "was never happy when it came to wars.... He was a coward and could not bear the sight of blood (14)." Unoka was very lazy, which led him into debt and shamefulness. He was lazy with his job, and he was lazy with his family. He was soft and vulnerable. Because of that, it affected Okonkwo's relationship with him. And, like I said before, Okonkwo tried to be the opposite of Unoka in everything. So, in running a family and having children of his own, he made sure that he wasn't soft and vulnerable with them. He was never "close" to them, but because he was never close and soft with them, the sight of loving them didn't look very clear. Okonkwo made it look like he didn't even love them at all. With vulnerability, sometimes comes laziness, and Okonkwo stayed as far from laziness as possible, so he could be the most opposite of his father, Unoka, as possible.
ReplyDeleteA major theme of the book Things Fall Apart focuses on one’s honor and respect. In the first five chapters the reader is introduced to Okonkwo who is the main character of this story. Okonkwo’s life is highly affected by his experiences with his father. From a young age Okonkwo was determined to become everything his father was not. The story describes his father, Unoka, as “poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat. People laughed at him because he was a loafer, and they swore never to lend him any more money because he never paid it back.” (5) From these life events Okonkwo was driven to become highly respected. He demanded respect from his wives and children; who were beaten severely if the respect was not shown. Demanding this respect “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements.” (3) which is precisely what Okonkwo desired.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo had started with nothing, because his father, Unoka, was lazy. Most of the other boys were able to start their lives with a barn and a field. Okonkwo had neither with him, so he went to Nwakibie. Nwakibie was very wealthy man and he had the second highest title in the clan. Okonkwo went to Nwakibie to get yam seeds. Nwakibie usually did not give the seeds to the other young men who came and asked for them because he knew that they would be neglected and die. Because he trusted Okonkow, he gave twice as much to him as he had asked. He knew that Okonkwo would take care of the seeds and bring a great harvest. Okonkow was lucky that the clan didn't think the son was as the father. They let the sons set their own destiny, and Okonkwo did that. His father was a slob, and Okonkwo was determined to become the exact opposite of his father. He worked himself and his wives and children harshly in the fields. He was ill-tempered and often beat his wives and children harshly. Even in the "Week of Peace" Okonkwo beat his third wife, Ojiugo. She had gone to a friend’s house to plait her hair. Okonkwo had not known of this and when she returned he beat her. Even though it was the "Week of Peace" he did not stop." Okonkwo was not the man to stop beating someone half-way through, not even in fear of a goddess."(30) For this he paid dearly but never learned his lesson on beating someone. Okwonko’s hatred of his father and determination to be the exact opposite of him made him successful in some ways, but also created problems for him and his family.
ReplyDeleteOur computer was logged in as my brother Billy. This is really my post. Chad Stewart
DeleteSo, my brother Billy was logged on last on our computer and his name showed up on my post. It really is mine! Chad Stewart
ReplyDeleteThe book says “Unoka, the grown-up, was a failure” (5). Unoka was a failure in everyone’s eyes, including his son Okonkwo. Okonkwo had a hard childhood because of his father’s failure. Okonkwo’s fear was “the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father” (13). Okonkwo was so ashamed of his father that becoming him was becoming like him was his greatest fear. This fear was what shaped his home life. “Okonkwo was ruled by one passion-to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved. One of those things was gentleness and another was idleness” (13). Okonkwo was harsh with all his family. He would beat them because they didn’t live up to his expectations. His father’s own gentleness caused this to happen to Okonkwo. Although Okonkwo did not believe in gentleness, this fear also caused him to have a motivation to become a hard worker and make a name with himself. Okonkwo had many achievements and became “revered” among the people. His fear was both a blessing and a curse to both him and his family.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel Things Fall Apart, it says, "When Unoka died he had taken no title at all and he was heavily in debt" (8). Since Unoka was a failure, Okonkwo was ashamed of him. "Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men usually had. He did not inherit a barn from his father" (16). This was because of Unoka's laziness. The novel also says, "And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion-to hate everything his father Unoka had loved. One of those things was gentleness and another was idleness" (13). This passion is why he "ruled his household with a heavy hand" (13). Okonkwo was afraid to show compassion so instead he showed anger. He always was quick to beat one of his wives or children when they did wrong. His family may live in fear of him, but they are also grateful for his prosperity.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo fiercely hated his father, he despised how Unoka left him and his mother to suffer in the clutches of poverty. "And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion-to hate everything that his father has loved. One of those things was gentleness, and another was idleness." (13) And thus "Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives especially the youngest, lived in fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children." Okonkwo's life was dominated by the fear of failure and weakness, his fear was greater, and more intense, than the fear of evil and malicious gods, magic, the forest, and the forces of nature. His greatest fear was of himself, and the thought that he might resemble his father. It was that fear that drove him to unceasingly nag and beat his family. Okonkwo had lost much because of his father, he even lost friends because his father had earned the reputation of agbala, which is a women or a man with no title.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo did not want to be anything like his father Unoka. His father was "lazy and improvident." (4) Unoka had only ever succeeded in one thing and that was borrowing more money from his neighbors. Many could definitely see why Okonkwo did not want to be anything like his father. "Okonkwo was ruled by one passion--to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved." (13) Okonkwo was motivated by his father's failure, which made him work even harder to be greater than Unoka had ever been. Okonwo saw how lazy his father was even from a young age. He vowed never to be like him in any way. He did not want any of his children or wives to be like his father. "Okonkwo's first son, Nwoye, was then twelve years of age but was already causing his father great anxiety for his incipient laziness. At any rate, that was how it looked to his father, and sought to correct him by constant nagging and beating." (13-14) Okonkwo was very scared of others thinking that he was a worthless man like his father. " And indeed he was possessed by the fear of his father's contemptible life and shameful death." (18)
ReplyDelete"As a young man of eighteen he had brought honor to his village." (1) As the text says he was known for his honor and fame. Okonkwo was described as "tall and huge man" (1) Okonkwo's father Unoka, his mother left the children with barley anything to eat. People in the village swore to never lend Unoka any money because he never paid back. However, Unoka was such a man that he always succeeded in borrowing more and piling up his debts. Later on, (2) "Children in the village were warned not to whistle at night for fear of evil spirits." A question of mine would be was Okonkwo ever warned not to whistle or did they not tell him because his father's actions?
ReplyDeleteGoing on, Okonkwo grows up and later marries, his wives especially the youngest lived in fear of his temper, especially the little children. Some farmers had not planted their yams yet. They were lazy easy-going ones who always put off their farms as long as they could. (3) Throughout reading I've learned that Oknokwo is a very selfish man. Nobody can drink until the king drinks, nobody can eat until the king takes a bite. "Oknokwo knew how to kill a mans spirit." (4) "There were seven drums, they were arranged according to sizes in a long wooden basket. 3 men beat the drums, they were possessed by the spirit of the drums." (6) Sure enough I feel as though Oknokwo in the beginning didn't want to turn out like his father, but he is slowly showing characteristics of his father.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe way Okonkwo viewed his father, Unoka, greatly shaped the way he treated his wife and children. Okonkwo was deeply ashamed by the laziness and failure of his father. He absolutely did not want to become like his father when he was of the same age. “And indeed he was possessed by the fear of his father’s contemptible life and shameful death” (18). Because he had promised himself that he would never become like his father, he learned from an early age to be hardworking and diligent.
ReplyDelete“Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength” (28). Okonkwo aspired for his son, Nwoye, to also be a mighty and hardworking man when he was older. He was somewhat cruel to Nwoye and the other children to shape them into leaders. In Okonkwo’s eyes, strictness was the most efficient way to teach children how to be respectful, and later on, strong. He would not allow them to become idle like his father.
As for his wives, Okonkwo believed that it was very important to have control over his wives. He did not want idleness, and if they were lazy, the children would follow in their example and become indolent. Okonkwo also demanded respect, and that particularly included respect from his wives. They were of a lower status than him, and he would not allow them to be insolent or contemptuous. Like everyone else, the women had tasks that needed to be done, and Okonkwo would be there to hold them to their responsibilities.
“[Okonkwo’s] wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children” (13). Okonkwo’s whole live was practically run by fear: the fear of resembling his father, the fear of failure and weakness. These fears influenced him to gain power through creating fear in others, including his family. His father was weak and powerless. In response, Okonkwo became dominant in his family and village. His father influenced many of his decisions in life, for the better or worse.
Okonkwo grew up being ashamed of a father with no titles. This led him to believe hard work and strength were the only way to gain respect. Because of his father ,Okonkwo doesn't have the patience to deal with things in a calm way. He only uses anger. Although he feels other emotions, he only shows anger. He has a difficult relationship with his children because he dose not want any laziness to ever show in them. His wives live in fear of beating and harsh words from their husbands. Okonkwo is willing to do what ever it takes to make sure his family has no trace of laziness. During the sacred week of peace he beats his second wife because of her laziness and for being thoughtless. He has also said to his son "I will not have a son who cannot hold up his head in the gathering of the clan. I would sooner strangle him with my own hands." (40) His father ruined every chance of a healthy relationship between the people he Okonkwo cares about.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo did not want to be like his father, Unoku. Unoku was lazy and did not pay off his debts. He did not provide for his wife and children. Okonkwo however, was ashamed of his father. He always harvested and planted his crops as soon as he could.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo was very strict. "He had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had no patience with his father." (page 4) If they messed up or did something wrong, he would beat them.
He planted his crops to be successful. He worked hard until he got what he wanted.
DeleteOkonkwo did not have very good feelings toward his father. His father, Unoka was "lazy and improvident and was quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow." (pgs. 3-4) Okonkwo's father was deep in debt with many of his neighbors. Okonkwo hated this lifestyle. He never wanted his family to have barely enough food and to be lazy, like his father and childhood. Okonkwo used anger and fear to keep his family from becoming lazy. He also worked very hard on farms, as did the rest of his family. Okonkwo taught them how to work for what they wanted. Okonkwo had a fear of weakness and failure. His father was those things in the sight of Okonkwo, and so Okonkwo hated laziness, and debt, because of his father. "Okonkwo's first son, Nwoye, was then twelve years old but was already causing his father great anxiety for his incipient laziness." (pg. 11)
ReplyDeleteOkonwo would then fix that problem (as seen in Okonkwo's eyes) with nagging and beating. Okonkwo was hard working, but hated everything that resembled his father, Unoka. Unoka was gentle, so Okonkwo was not.
Maddison Murray
ReplyDeleteI think that Okonkwo is incapable of loving his family because his father didn't love his. In the book it says that Unoka "was poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat." That doesn't sound like Unoka will win the "Father of the Year" award anytime soon. He didn't work hard and was lazy, and Okonkwo resents him for that. In my opinion, Unoka was selfish. He cared only for himself and about having a good time. He should have provided better for his family, seeing as that is the husband/father's main responsibility, in their culture and ours. He was not a good example for Okonkwo and he never taught him what a good father should act like. So as a result, Okonkwo tried to be everything his father wasn't. In the book it says that, "Okonkwo was very well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements."(1) He was a hard working and very aggressive man, and he didn't want anyone to associate him or his family with his father. He "was ruled by one passion --to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved (13)." He wanted to be the complete opposite of his father, but I honestly don't think he did a very good job at that. I think he's selfish, just like his father was. He is so caught up in other people's opinion of him that he is oblivious to the need of love and compassion from his family. He is very similar to his father, in my opinion, because both only cared for themselves.
Unoka was a loather. In the book on location 51 it said, " He had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had no patience with his father." Okonkwo despised his father. He despised him so much that he was willing to beat his children so they wouldn't be like him. Okonkwo did everything he could to be the exact opposite of his father. His father was basically a beggar. Okonkwo worked his hardest to make money. Unoka was a man that couldn't stand the sight of blood, while Okonkwo had fought in two inter-tribal wars. When Unoka died, he had died without any titles. Okonkwo already had two. Because Okonkwo had a fiery temper his children and wives tried their best to please him to avoid being beaten
ReplyDeleteHe had no respect for his father. He was lazy, heavily in debt, and did not provide for his family. " ... he still remembered how he had suffered when a playmate had told him his father was an agbala (woman or man with no title). " (13) And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion-to hate everything that his father Unoka had once loved. One of those things included gentleness and another was kindness."(13) Because of this he was harsh with his family. He beat his wives and children for small things and worked all of them extremely hard. They were required to be basic servants to him. Even though he did feel compassion towards his wives and a few select children, he rarely showed it because of his father. Because of this he was a successful and prosperous man at an early age.
ReplyDeleteUnoka was a very lazy man and never helped meet anyone's needs. His son Okonkwo did not have a very good life because of that. He hated his father and feared that he would become just like him."Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness." Because he was so scared of ending up like his father, he was not very hide to his family. He beat then and yelled at them. He noticed his son was being lazy. He beat him for it. " His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children." Because of his fearfulness for his family ending up like his father, he hurt them.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo had no respect for his father, Unoka. Unoka was lazy, wasn't able to provide for his family, and heavily in dept. And so Okonkwo had one passion- to hate everything that his father loved. Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. He does this for his family because "As a young man whose father had no yams, there was no other way. And what made it worse in Okonkwo's case was that he had to support his mother and two sisters from his meagre harvest. And supporting his mother also meant supporting his father. She could not be expected to cook and eat while her husband starved. And so at a very early age when he was striving desperately to build a barn through share-cropping, Okonkwo was also fending for his father's house. It was like pouring grains of corn into a bog full of holes." (pg. 30) That is the main reason why Okonkwo beats his wives and children.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo despised his father, Unoka. Because, "Unoka, the grown-up, was a failure." (Chapter 1, paragraph 6) As a result of his unsuccessful life his son Okonkwo strove to be the complete opposite of his father, to never resemble him. The thought of resembling Unoka completely terrified him. And that fear made him grow into a strong and ill-tempered man that his wives and children perpetually feared. Unoka and Okonkwo couldn't be more different! Unoka was foolish and poor while his son was far wiser and richer, Unoka was also kind and gentle while Okonkwo was mean and harsh. You see, everything Unoka did shaped the way Okonkwo is in his adult years. If Unoka had been a better man Okonkwo may have not had the passion to strive to greatness, it seems that there is a cycle forming, a weak man fathers a strong son/man then in turn the strong man fathers a son (Nwoye) who appears to be growing into a weak man. If that somehow makes sense.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo's feelings towards Unoka were a big factor of why he treated his wives and children the way he did. Okonkwo's temper and harsh behavior were all an outcome of his father’s actions. In the book it describes Unoka as lazy, improvident and not a very good father, it also says that Okonkwo strived to become the opposite of his father in every way possible. This is why Okonkwo was mean, strict but very successful. Although he doesn’t act like it Okonkwo does care about his family. He feeds them, shelters them and teaches them which is the exact opposite of how he was raised and how his father raised him. It says in the book that perhaps in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. The only reason why Okonkwo was a cruel man was because his father was the exact opposite. Had Okonkwo's father been any different Okonkwo would almost definitely be different than he is. Ironically, Okonkwo's great success came from his father’s failures.
ReplyDelete"Unoka, the grown up was a failure."(5) Because of his laid back attitude Unoka had no success in life. This resulted in an inability to provide for his family. Okonkwo decided at a young age that he would never be like his father. He soon started to provide for his mother and sisters. But that is hard when ever thing that he collected went to his drunken father. Okonkwo became successful thanks to an old man the judged him for him and not for his father. This chance gave Okonkwo his three wives and children. When his wife and children had started resembling his father he lashed out and became violent and distant. Only when Ikemefuna came along that Okonkwo softened up.
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ReplyDelete"And indeed he was possessed by the fear of his father's contemptible life and shameful death." (18) Okonkwo lives in fear of being anything like his father. While Okonkwo comes across as a very fierce man, but he actually lives in fear for his children and for himself. "Nwoye, was then twelve years old but was already causing his father great anxiety for his incipient laziness. At any rate, that was how it looked to his father, and he sought to correct him by constant nagging and beating." (13-14) Okonkwo became a very honorable young man when he became well known throughout all nine villages when he won a wrestling match against the "Cat". Every nerve and every muscle stood out on their arms, on their backs and their thigh, and on almost heard them stretching to breaking point. In the end Okonkwo threw the Cat." (1)
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo does not show emotion because he sees it as a weakness, but deep down he loves his family and cares deeply. He does not want his children to be disgraced. "'Sit like a woman!'"(44) Okonkwo had said to his daughter Ezinma "Okonkwo was specially fond of Ezinma..... But his fondness only showed on very fare occasions."(44) He is not like his father that was lazy and did nothing for himself and was always in debt. "'Each group there represents a debt to someone, and cach stroke represents on hundred cowries. You see, I owe that man a thousand cowries. But he has not com to cake me up in the morning for it. I shall pay you, but not today... I shall pay my big debts first.'" (7-8) Unoka died a shameful death and did not pay any of his debts. Okonkwo did not inherit anything from his father for his father did not even have anything for Okonkwo to had to work for everything he had. "Okwonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men had. He neither inherited a barn nor a title, nor even a young wife." (18)
Okonkwo was ashamed of his father. His father was always in debt and lazy. His father never worked for anything. Okonkwo always worked hard for what he had. The villagers all trusted him and did not judge him for who his father was. Oknonkwo never wanted to be like his father. "It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father." (7%) (kindle version uses only percents) His son Nwoye was constantly being nagged and beaten so he did not act like Oknonkwo's father.
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ReplyDeleteOkonkwo feels that everything Unoka did made him a failure, this includes his laziness and his tender heartedness. According to the priestess of the Oracle "You, Unoka, are known in the clan for the weakness of you machete and your hoe." (9%). Okonkwo believes that if he shows love towards any of his wives or children they will begin to relax and become lazy like his father (who he despised) and it will show that he is weak. Okonkwo feels that the more that he achieves the less like his father he is. Also in the book, "And indeed, he was possessed by the fear of his father's contemptible life and shameful death." (9%). Unoka was given no respect in the clan and Okonkwo was embarrassed by it. That is why he worked so hard in his early years, so that he would be respected, thus being less like his father.
ReplyDeleteGreat comparison. It seems like you have admiration for Okonkwo. Think about how your outlook on him changes throughout the text.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to cite the page number for the example you gave regarding Okonkwo nearly shooting his wife. Also, please put the period after your citation:
...weakness" (13).
Good job!
Okonkwo lived his life in fear of being a repeat of his father’s failure. I feel he is so harsh, if not lightly abusive to his own family in fear of them being lazy and weak. Okonkwo’s shame of his father has lead him to live with a strict hand. The book states, “Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness.” (Page 13) This means that deep down Okonkwo’s heart was not made of stone. He was truly a good man to the core, but his fear of being viewed as weak made him appear to be the opposite. Okonkwo is determined to be anything but a failure. Living his life in fear has lead him to do almost anything to keep his strong, successful image.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo's hatred for his father has shaped him to feel as he should never show weakness. Okonkwo feels like he must control his woman and children to seam tough. He also beats them whenever they show weakness or signs of his father's actions. Chapter Three explains precisely how Okonkwo feels of his father, "... And indeed he was possessed by the fear of his father's contemptible life and shameful death." In Chapter Four it shows that Okonkwo did not want his son to resemble his own father, "Okonkwo wanted his son to be a great farmer and a great man. He would stamp out the disquieting signs of laziness which he thought he already saw in him."
ReplyDeleteAs a result of the many events that happened in Okonkwo's childhood, Okonkwo is determined to be successful in his life. His father was a failure, and Okonkwo didn't want to be like his father in any way. "He had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had no patience with his father." (Page 4) Because he had very little patience, he did anything to avoid failure. An example of this is on page one, it states, "Every nerve and every muscle stood out on their arms, on their backs and their thighs, and one almost heard them stretching to breaking point. In the end, Okonkwo threw the cat." These two sentences show that even though Amalinze the Cat had a great reputation, Okonkwo never gave up. It shows Okonkwo's determination to keep his reputation high.
ReplyDeleteWhen Okonkwo was a child his dad was a bad example to him so he tries to become a more profitable person that his dad. Plus how his dad left him nothing. "When anoka died he had taken no title at all and he was heavily in dept. this may have been a factor and why he was so cruel and how he has a bad feeling about Nwoye and what he might become. Okonkwo also seems to be mean to his wife's and his children.
ReplyDeleteThe text states "Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand" (13). His wives and children lived in fear of him. I think the reason he does this is because he lives in fear of becoming his father. His father was a man who had no achievements or honor. He was always in debt, and was always lazy. Okonkwo wanted to be the exact opposite of his father. He was a hard working man full of fame and achievements. He was also a great wrestler.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo's childhood is the reason why he rules his household with an iron fist. As a child, Okonkwo's father, Unoka, was a debtor, lazy, and held no title in his clan. Unoka was often refered as a agbala or woman. Okonkwo was ashamed of his father as a child and worked to be the exact opposite of Unoka. Okonkwo's family feared Okonkwo, especially the youngest children. In the book, it states: "Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand" (13). When Okonkwo worked on his farm, his children and wives dared not to complain in fear of him.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo has no respect for his father because he was lazy, and had no title other than agbala (women) Okonkwo is embarrassed of his father so he doesn't want to be like him. He wants to be better and have a title. So there for, he is hard on his kids and wives because in my opinion, he doesn't want to be ashamed of them like he is of his father. "Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper , and so did his children" pg 13. So that states that he abused them or yelled at them a lot to step up and start doing something good other then being lazy and not doing anything at all.
ReplyDeleteThrough the actions of his father, Okonkwo has developed several characteristics that have shaped him and made him the person is today. To start with, Okonkwo's father was considered a very lazy person and he had no titles. Okonkwo was ashamed of his father and decided that he would resent his father and restore his family honor and pride. Because of his fathers laziness Okonkwo worked very hard and had to struggle through many challenges. This turned Okonkwo into a very hard and strict man. He also restored his reputation by throwing a man in a restyling match. This earned him respect and his first wife. Okonkwo was also a very good warrior. He has taken several heads and has lead his village in many successful wars. This has turned Okonkwo into a violent and aggressive man. Okonkwo now beats his wives whenever they don't do what he asks or disobeys him. He also shouts at them. These are some of the many things that have determined how Okonkwo treats his wives.
ReplyDeleteOkonkwo was a very brutal father who ruled his house with iron fist. He didn't want to be like his father and be debtor, lazy, and never had any nice things and not respect or place among the village. Okonkwo beat his wives and children when they did not listen and they were afraid of him.
ReplyDeleteOnkonkwo despised his father because he was both lazy and unsuccessful. It states in the book "he had no patience for unsuccessful men. He had no patience for his father" (2). Unoka, Onkonkwos father, was a debtor, he owed money to every neighbor. His neighbors even held a meeting stating that they would never lend money to Unoka, but Unoka was a good persuader so he borrowed money anyways. Onkonkwo was always scared of his children resembling their grandfather, so if they did anything Onkonkwo didn't approve of he would beat them. Onkonkwo hated when his children were lazy, in result they would get beat.
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ReplyDelete("In his day he was lazy and improvident and was quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow." pg.4) I think Okonkwo's relationship with his father Unoka made him want to be a harder worker and not lazy. ("He was poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat". pg.5) I also think that his relationship with his father also made him want to be a better husband and dad to his family by being able to support his family and not starve them.
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