Things Fall Apart
Hubris and the Suicide of Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
This novel by Chinua Achebe was first published in 1958. Set on the continent of Africa this is the story of Okonkwo, a member of the Umuofia clan, one of nine villages of a tribe in Nigeria. Okonkwo is an esteemed tribesman who, despite the stigma of his cowardly father who died in disgrace leaving many unsettled debts behind, has achieved wealth and respect through hard work and self-reliance. Okonkwo worries that his son, Nwoye, will end up a failure like his father. His favorite daughter, Ezinma, is the only child of Ekwefi. She is more like her father in spirit and Okonkwo often wishes she had been born a boy.
The story centers on the events that surround Okonkwo during the course of his life and the self-realizations that lead him to take his own life. The process of overcoming the difficulties he faced while growing up has left Okonkwo with a very narrow and judgmental view of what is proper and masculine conduct. He views behavior which fails to live up to his standards of duty and honor as weak and feminine. It is this hubris that eventually leads to his downfall.
Discussion
During the week of peace held before the planting of the crops to honor the great goddess of the earth his wife fails to make dinner. Because of this Okonkwo beats her, thus disturbing the peace. The priest, Ezeani, tells him that though his wife was wrong, "The evil you have done can ruin...
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