Okonkwo Research Paper

Words: 573
Pages: 3

Before Okonkwo was even an adult he was dubbed “one of the greatest men of his time”(Achebe 17). Okonkwo was notorious for his aptitude in wrestling. His most triumphant victory was defeating the Cat, a 7 year undefeated wrestler of all the 9 villages. This victory brought fame and triumph to his village and also to Okonkwo. The eighteen year old champion would continue to gain respect from his community by excelling in everything he did. He earned titles in the village, had vast amounts of wealth, many wives, and a home that only further emphasized his prosperity Even in the most vigorous of times Okonkwo would still keep his head up high. After surviving one of the toughest harvest seasons to date Okonkwo vowed to “survive anything”. Nothing could obscure Okonkwo in his path to greatness, even tragedies “tough enough to break the heart …show more content…
Okonkwo’s fist were what paved the way for all the success he had achieved, but his fist were also his way of conveying his emotions. Growing up Okonkwo was ridiculed by others for being the son of an “agbala”, the Ibo term for a woman or man with no title(Achebe 23). Due to the criticism he procured and the embarrassment he felt being the son of Unoka, he lived in fear of becoming like his father. So, when Okonkwo expressed his emotions, the only two he disclosed were resentment and disappointment, the two emotions Okonkwo felt towards his father. Since his father loved to talk, Okonkwo would use his hands instead of lips, and since his father loved everything feminine and easy-going, not surprisingly, it was times like the Feast of the Yams where Okonkwo would never be “enthusiastic” and wish to be doing masculine things like tending to his crops. Okonkwo’s masculinity was what he used to value his and others achievments, but in contrast his masculinity would cause him and his family to be ostracized the in the near