- What is the significance of Okonkwo’s character? What does he represent or is symbolic of?
Okonkwo's characteristic is reaching for the achievement of prestige. As he is working hard for prestige and honor of himself, he hates laziness of his father, as well as his first son, Nwoye. I personally think Okonkwo is symbolic of patriarchal personality.
- What is the purpose of Okonkwo’s character within the text?
As Okonkwo is the main character of the novel, he is the main reason why the conflict occurs in the story. For example, while Okonkwo was mad at his family about his banana tree got killed(even though it wasn't dead; his second wife just took some of the leaves to cover foods) and he was beating his own wife and even try to shoot her with a gun as he got too aggressive, if Okonkwo's characteristic was not aggressive and hardly search for honour, the conflict might not have been made, and definitely the story will not be interesting if there is no conflict.
What I am trying to say is the character and his(or her) characteristic differs hows the situation goes in the whole story as different people react in the different ways, as the real world works in the same way.
- How does Okonkwo’s character contribute to big ideas?
As Okonkwo's character looks for his honor and prestige, he does anything if that keeps his honor high up. When people in his village decides something and it is personally bad for Okonkwo, he doesn't show his emotion and keeps on doing his work as it is the type of being "manly" as his personality.
You have answered all the questions in somewhat of detail.
ReplyDeleteYou expanded on great ideas when commenting on the purpose of Okonkwos character in TFA.
You could have explained how Okonkwos character contributes to big ideas in the novel much more and in much more detail to show your understanding of his character in the novel.
I see that you've identified Okonkwo as a person that favours a patriarchal scenario although it would be better if you could've added on to it with a few examples or so. Although, I too agree that he is quite stubborn on a patriarchal society, dominated by men and he cannot see the balance and equality between men and women. I suppose that is why he is flawed in that area and doesn't establish harmony with his wives who he beats up as a product of his short temper. I see how you've said that people react according to their situations and this is applicable to real life as well and also, reveals their character and personality.
ReplyDeleteTrue that he does not necessarily agree with the village towards the end since he wanted to actually get rid of the colonizers somehow and restore his ways of doing things, don't you think that it's more like, 'selfishness' and not manliness? And yes, note that he also suicides when he couldn't accept the change brought into his village and thus, suicides. Would this actually be called manly? Or being a coward and not showing strength against new situations? He might be physically strong and can exert his aggressiveness on men and women but his lack of understanding, compassion, strong decision making and extremity on his beliefs, flawed him thoroughly.