Why did Okonkwo beat his wife?
During the Week of Peace, Okonkwo notices that his youngest wife, Ojiugo, has left her hut to have her hair braided without having cooked dinner. He beats her for her negligence, shamefully breaking the peace of the sacred week in a transgression known as nso-ani.
What is Okonkwo’s biggest fear?
Okonkwo is a self-made, well-respected member of the Umuofia clan. Though outwardly stern and powerful, much of his life is dictated by internal fear. His greatest, overwhelming worry is that he will become like his father – lazy, unable to support his family, and cowardly.
What was Okonkwo’s fatal flaw?
Okonkwo is a tragic hero in the classical sense: although he is a superior character, his tragic flaw—the equation of manliness with rashness, anger, and violence—brings about his own destruction.
What is the significance of the three proverbs in Chapter One of Things Fall Apart?
“Proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten” (Chapter 1). Basically, this one means that proverbs are an essentially words of wisdom. “If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings” (Chapter 1).
What was ironic about Okonkwo’s death?
Okonkwo’s death is especially ironic when we consider one major event at the beginning of the novel: the terrible harvest. Okonkwo’s first harvest is one of the worst harvest years in clan history. Very few crops survive at all because of unusual weather patterns.
What are two themes in Things Fall Apart?
Things Fall Apart Themes
- Tradition vs. Change.
- Fate vs. Free Will.
- Language. Language is a vital part of Umuofia society.
- Masculinity.
- Religion.
Why is Ezinma not allowed to eat eggs?
Ekwefi even gave her such delicacies as eggs, which children were rarely allowed to eat because such food tempted them to steal. One day as Ezinma was eating an egg Okonkwo had come in unexpectedly from his hut.
What were yams a symbol of?
Yams are grown to gain wealth and also to feed one’s family. They are a symbol of masculinity and ability as a provider.
Is Okonkwo a hero or a villain?