Okonkwo's Death
Author: Leonardo Alonso, Editor-In-Chief
The white missionaries have rapidly been taking over the land of Umuofia both before and after Okonkwo's return. Because of this and his clan unwilling to take back what was once theirs, Okonkwo hangs himself which leaves one question left unanswered; was it the right choice? Many would aruge that it was not the right choice because he was one of the leaders of Umuofia as well as a warrior. The truth, however, is that it really was the correct choice especially when thinking in the long-term.
One major point is that Okonkwo's death was inevitable because of the actions and choices both he and his clan made.
One major point is that Okonkwo's death was inevitable because of the actions and choices both he and his clan made.
Okonkwo was banished from Umuofia for killing someone in the clan in which he never actually did. His gun exploded and one of the people from the clan died. Okonkwo was the only person to blame because it was his weapon. After seven years, it is finally time for him to return. After his return, he notices that there has been a lot of change in Umuofia. The people of the clan weren't like they used to be and there were white missionaries slowly taking the over land. When having a conversation with Obierika about how Abame was conquered, and what would happen if they fight back, Okonkwo is told, "'[Umuofia] would be like Abame'" (Achebe 175). Okonkwo clearly understands here that fighting isn't an option since he and his clan would be murdered and shown no clemency. He also knows if they don't do anything about the white men, Umuofia would slowly be conquered by the missionaries. With this in mind, Okonkwo committing suicide was the better choice since there was nothing he could actually do to prevent any of these terrible outcomes he wishes not to live in.
Umuofia was the strongest clan out of the nine different tribes which was a big thing for Okonkwo. When the missionaries arrive however, this clan plummets downward because of how weak and diffident all of the men have become. Okonkwo is mainly known for his strength, but he soon realizes something after the fact that all the men have become like women. He realizes that, "Umuofia would not go to war" (Achebe 205). Okonkwo knows that Umuofia is not the warlike place as it used to be and everyone was slowly taking small steps to their inevitable doom. Okonkwo eventually makes the choice to commit suicide which, in the long-term, is a lot better than waiting to be conquered by the white men only to discover what would actually be done with him.
When the time is near and Okonkwo realizes that his clan won't do anything about these white missionaries, his temper goes out of control causing him to make very poor choices and actions. One of these actions was when a couple messengers sent by the missionaries arrive to tell them that their leader wishes for them to terminate a meeting they are currently having. In this moment, "Okonkwo [draws] his machete... and the man's head lay beside his uniform body" (Achebe 204). Okonkwo is aware that the missionaries would be after him since the other messengers were allowed to escape. He would be taken and killed by these white men just as he did to Ikemefuna. This shows that Okonkwo committing suicide was the better choice because he knew the missionaries would want to kill him after finding out from the other messengers what he has done. Instead of allowing himself to be killed in a possibly painful way, he decides to take this matter into his own hands where he could just easily end it.
It is definitely hard to think that someone so important really should have committed suicide. One thing to remember though is that it was a much better choice for Okonkwo in order to prevent any kind of pain he would suffer from these missionaries.
Sources
Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor, 1994. Print.
Bayless, Jared. "Noose-660." Bayless Band. N.p., 2013. Web. 16 Nov. 2016.
http://baylessband.com/2014/08/the-noose-is-tightening/noose-660/
When the time is near and Okonkwo realizes that his clan won't do anything about these white missionaries, his temper goes out of control causing him to make very poor choices and actions. One of these actions was when a couple messengers sent by the missionaries arrive to tell them that their leader wishes for them to terminate a meeting they are currently having. In this moment, "Okonkwo [draws] his machete... and the man's head lay beside his uniform body" (Achebe 204). Okonkwo is aware that the missionaries would be after him since the other messengers were allowed to escape. He would be taken and killed by these white men just as he did to Ikemefuna. This shows that Okonkwo committing suicide was the better choice because he knew the missionaries would want to kill him after finding out from the other messengers what he has done. Instead of allowing himself to be killed in a possibly painful way, he decides to take this matter into his own hands where he could just easily end it.
It is definitely hard to think that someone so important really should have committed suicide. One thing to remember though is that it was a much better choice for Okonkwo in order to prevent any kind of pain he would suffer from these missionaries.
Sources
Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor, 1994. Print.
Bayless, Jared. "Noose-660." Bayless Band. N.p., 2013. Web. 16 Nov. 2016.
http://baylessband.com/2014/08/the-noose-is-tightening/noose-660/
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