Okonkwo ‘s Suicide : a Coward ‘s Way out
This essay about Okonkwo’s suicide in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart examines the complexities of his character and the broader implications of his actions. It discusses how Okonkwo’s fear of failure and adherence to traditional values conflict with the transformative influences of European colonialism. The essay argues that Okonkwo’s suicide can be seen as both an act of defiance against a changing society and a perceived act of cowardice that abandons tribal and familial obligations. It highlights the cultural, personal, and symbolic layers of Okonkwo’s final decision, suggesting that his suicide represents not only his personal tragedy but also the broader theme of cultural dissolution under colonial pressure. The analysis invites readers to consider the nuanced interplay between individual agency and overwhelming cultural shifts.
How it works
In Chinua Achebe’s seminal work, Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo’s suicide serves as a poignant climax to his tragic story, provoking intense debate among scholars and readers alike. Rather than viewing his final act solely through the lens of cowardice, it's essential to delve deeper into the complex tapestry of cultural conflict and personal turmoil that defines Okonkwo’s life.
Okonkwo, a man of great pride and status within the Umuofia tribe, navigates his existence with an overwhelming fear of failure and weakness, a theme that is deeply rooted in his father’s perceived effeminacy and incompetence.
This fear drives Okonkwo to extremes, manifesting in his rigid adherence to the old ways of his ancestors, his violent temper, and ultimately, his resistance to change.
The arrival of European colonizers and their new religion marks the beginning of an irreversible transformation in Umuofian society, a change that Okonkwo cannot reconcile with. His desperate cling to the past culminates in an act of defiance—killing a colonial messenger—which isolates him from his community as they move towards adaptation rather than confrontation. This isolation can be seen as the final blow to Okonkwo’s sense of identity and his place in the world.
Okonkwo’s decision to end his life, traditionally a profound taboo in his culture, is a complex decision layered with multiple dimensions of despair and defiance. It could be argued that his suicide is an act of ultimate defiance against the forces that have usurped his way of life and eroded the values he cherished. In this light, Okonkwo’s death is not a surrender, but a final stand against a world he no longer recognizes or belongs in.
Conversely, from the perspective of his tribe, Okonkwo’s suicide represents the ultimate act of cowardice. It is a rejection of the communal values that emphasize endurance and collective resilience in the face of adversity. By choosing to escape through death, Okonkwo abandons his familial and societal responsibilities, leaving his family to face the stigma of his action alone, which could suggest a selfish, albeit desperate, escape from a situation he sees as insurmountable.
Moreover, Okonkwo’s suicide symbolically reflects the suicide of the old ways, unable to survive in the new world order brought by colonization. It underscores the broader themes of loss, change, and the inevitability of cultural evolution, regardless of the individual will to resist such changes.
In assessing Okonkwo's action, it's crucial to understand the profound internal conflict he experiences, caught between his unyielding will and an evolving world. His death might be seen as an acknowledgment that his values and methods have no place in a rapidly changing society, representing a tragic recognition of his obsolescence.
Through Okonkwo’s narrative, Achebe not only critiques the destructive impact of colonialism but also invites a reflection on the complexities of human behavior when confronted with existential threats to identity and cultural heritage. Okonkwo’s life and death encapsulate a poignant message about the challenges of navigating life in a world where the rules have changed irrevocably.
In conclusion, while it's tempting to label Okonkwo’s suicide as a coward’s way out, a closer examination reveals a much more intricate interplay of cultural disintegration, personal valor, and tragic inevitability. This act, steeped in traditional taboos yet driven by profoundly personal motivations, invites readers to reflect deeply on the themes of courage, despair, and the human condition exposed in Achebe’s narrative.
Okonkwo 's Suicide : A Coward 's Way Out. (2024, Apr 14). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/okonkwo-s-suicide-a-coward-s-way-out/
