This section contains 1,230 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
Fear in the Life of Okonkwo in "Things Fall Apart"
Summary: In the novel "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, the encroachment of Western culture on Eastern clan communities is expressed in Okonkwo, the novel's main chracter. Oknokwo's preoccupation with fear, even though he has many admirable qualities, symbolizes the fear of the loss of culture and tradition of the larger society.
In the novel `Things Fall Apart', Chinua Achebe outlines conflicts between the traditional community of clan and the newly- introduced western culture. Okonkwo, the main character of the story, who also takes an important role in the clan society, shows great incompatibilities towards these changes. These incompatibilities do not only contrast the paradox of the olds and the news, but also in a way that it reflects some of the personalities of Okonkwo--- his life is dominated by fear. Not only fear of failure or weakness, but also the fear that others will erase him from their memories, that they will forget his leading position and importance in the community. However, another point to note is that those are not the only things about Okonkwo. In spite of fear, he does have many admirable qualities--he is a diligent farmer and worker and he has sympathy towards his children...
This section contains 1,230 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |