In the about the second sentence of this chapter, it said that Okonkwo had risen from poverty very suddenly. After seeing more of his character, I am not so sure if he did this in a legal way. I think that maybe something fishy is going on.
This is the chapter that the true character of Okonkwo comes out. He does not know how to handle his emotions because he thinks that emotions are feminine. He thinks that he will be less of a man if he shows his emotions. Okonkwo is also not smart at all. The only thing that he can think of to solve a problem is violence, which is not setting a very good example for his children.
I cannot believe the part about beating his wife. That is completely absurd. All he had to do was give up a few things for something that was his fault anyways. Maybe she should have been home on time, but if he could hold his temper for a few minutes then the situation could have been avoided. The extremely sad part of it all is that if it weren't the Week of Peace, I bet that nothing would have even happened to him, and they would have just all gone on with their lives.
Also when Okonkwo was trying to teach his son Nwoye and Ikemefuna how to do the yams, he couldn't just help them he had to threaten them that if they didn't do it right that he would break their jaws and knowing his character he probably would. The thing I hate the most is that he actually loves the kids, but instead of showing affection he harasses them. I think that he is so focused on him and his children not being like his father that he cannot deal with anything else in his life. He is greedy and self-centered and wants himself to look good.
5 comments:
Lol, I also think that there is something fishy going on. I do not think that yams would make someone that rich, in that short amount of time, haha. I agree with you on the whole thing about Okonkwo not being able to control his emotions and thinking that they are feminine. Though back in that day I guess if you were a male and you showed a lot of these qualities you would be looked down upon and maybe even laughed at.
It never really occurred to me that anything illegal could have been going on, and although I don't think it is, I can see your point. I also think that Okonkwo should show his emotions because by not showing them he is only hurting those that he cares for most. I think that his children will probably either come to resent him like he does his father, or become like him. I'm not entirely sure which would be worse. I think he needs to get his act together.
I did not really think about anything fishy going on but that is a very good point. I cant believe how much of a jerk Okonkwo is. He beats his wife just because she was not home to make his meals. That is crazy he really needs to control his temper. He really need to get over this manliness part of him. It is very annoying, who cares if it manly or not. I guess it was really important back then. He is very self centered and he plants too many yams.... ha ha
I never thought of the novel that way. Something might be fishy. Also many others are saying that too, about Okonkwo's true colors showing. I have read other blogs, this does seem to be very true. He is being very selfish, greedy and self-centerd. I didn't think of it, but now that It seems like he is going to reach a point of no return, where he will do something that will be life altering. He needs to learn to control his temper! He can't keep this sort of rage up.
I don't think there's anything fishy. He's obviously driven by some burning "work ethic" not to be like his Dad, Having come from a poor family, his work ethic has probably changed his fortune for the better? just a hunch.
Good point about Okonkwo's "feminine" feelings. Many men in today's world still struggle with this same issue. Its the same reason men don't cry in public. They are afraid of showing emotion or being judged. In reality, many men (including Okonkwo) are weaker for this, yet powerless to do anything about fixing it.
He beats his wives, because he doesn't respect them. A man who doesn't respect his wife doesn't respect himself either. Okonkwo has many demons and is at times a very twisted character.
Controlling his emotions is something he has trouble with. You will see later in the novel that this will play a major factor. true, the week of peace did play a factor, this time.
I think ordering the boys to work -or else, is Okonkwo's way of relating to people. A position of strength is what he understands and expects those under him to work equally hard.
I like your quote: "The thing I hate the most is that he actually loves the kids, but instead of showing affection he harasses them." Just think about our school with how many kids walk the halls with Okonkwo as their Mom & Dad's??? Often we take good parents for granted, and yet this is not always the case, especially for many of your peers in Karns City.
Mr. Farrell
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