"Thing Fall Apart" Essay

Ariel Solis

English 201

Elizabeth Whitley

                                           A Fatherly Role Model

            In the novel “Things Fall Apart,” by Chinua Achebe there are many aspects that were touched in the novel that varied from religion, marriage, womanhood and fatherhood. The subject that struck out to me the most was fatherhood. Fatherhood is very important for the simple fact that everyone needs a good father. Even though, today in this society there are high rate of single mothers raising their children to their best of their ability, they can never replace the position of being a father.

            A good father is supposed to support and protect his family at all means necessary. He suppose to set the example of what is means to be a man to his son and what his daughter should look for in a husband. In the novel “Thing Fall Apart,” the protagonist Okonkwo is considered a s a strong man, well known man in his community. He had high titles his village and lived with his three wives and children. Although, he had many accomplishments he failed at one very important role which was being a good father. This had a lot to do with the relationship he had with his father.

            Okonkwo father Unoka died with no titles and he was not a favorable person, because he bought money from everyone but never seem to pay it back. In the novel, the author states, “Unoka, the grown-up was a failure. 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” (Chinua 5). Growing up with the struggle of his father not being to provide enough for his family made Okonkwo want to strive for better and be looked at highly unlike his father. The author also writes “but his whole life dominated by fear, the fear of weakness” (13). These experiences of struggle made it difficult for him to show emotion with anyone close to him such as his wives and children and especially to his first son.

            Oknokwo oldest son was named Nwoye, and he really wanted him to meet certain standards that would make him a “strong man” in his community. The author quotes, “I will not have a son who cannot hold his head up in the clan. I would sooner strangle him with my own hands” (33). Oknokwo was very abusive towards Nwoye because of this fear of failure. He felt like no son of mines is going to fail and he would do anything means necessary because of the struggles he had growing up. Chinua also mentioned “…Nwokye 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 sought to correct him by constant nagging and beating. And so Nwoye was developing into a sad-faced youth” (13). At twelve years old you should be enjoying your youth not being sad all the time being sad and beating all the time by your father. Oknokwo lacked many skills in being a good father.

            In the novel Okonkwo bought a boy in to his family by the name of Ikemefuna. He treated him no different than the others and sent the boy to stay with his first wife, which is also Nwoye’s mother. In his stay he grew a close relationship with Nwoye and was considered part of the family. The author states “Even Okonkwo himself became very fond of the boy, inwardly of course. 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. He therefore treated Ikemefuna as he treated everybody else- with a heavy hand” (28). Later on the text the clan came to Okonkwo and told him that Umuofia had decided to kill the boy. As they were killing Ikemefuna, Okonkwo decided to take parts in the killing. The author claims “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (61). This scene shows how much Okonkwo values and cares about his pride and would go to any measures to keep it. He did not have to part take in the killing of Ikemefuna but his pride was far more important to him.

            In the end of the novel Nwoye became a missioner not a farmer like his father want him to be. He did not believe in the same customs as the village did and went his own way. As for Okonkwo he hung himself in his village. I think because of the guilt he had for he had done in the past. I believe he came to a breaking point.

                This novel explored a different culture and their way of living. Fatherhood was personally important to me because I know what it is like not to have a good father. There are many ways men lack in being fathers. My father was never there for me physical, so I related to Nwoye in sense that we do not know how it feels to have a good father. Although fatherhood is important, people make it without their fathers and I think that is what matters the most.