What does Okonkwo’s reaction to the murder of Ikemefuna reveal about his character? In your opinion, does he feel remorse for the murder, or not? Does this change your perception of Okonkwo as cruel?
What does Okonkwo’s reaction to the murder of Ikemefuna reveal about his character? In your opinion, does he feel remorse for the murder, or not? Does this change your perception of Okonkwo as cruel?
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January 4, 2008 at 2:07 am
Rachel K
I think Okonkwo is most definitely a cruel and heatlesss character. Okonkwo acted heatless towards Ike’s death. Ike treated him like a father and Okonkwo showed no remorse towards his death. I think he was so hurt as a child that he never recovered. Since Okonkow’s father did not treat him well; Okonkwo never had the insentive to treat his “sons” well either. He wanted them to go up just like him, a true man, a warrior who made his own path to glory and fame. I think that Okonkwo is still a cruel character but I think his father played a major affect on his cruel behavior. His father helped Okonkwo become the war hungry heartless man he is now.
January 4, 2008 at 2:23 am
Chris C
When Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna he proves to the reader that he is weak. Okonkwo loves Ikemefuna, and he does not have the courage to stand for what he believes in. Okonkwo is paranoid about the way that other people see him, and his concern for self image overpowers his love for the boy. Okonkwo definitely feels remorse for the murder, and he is depressed after the killing, but he is extremely concerned that other people will see that he is “agbala”. He believes that remorse is a womanly trait, and not suitable for a man of his stature. Okonkwo hides his feelings from others, but inside he is deeply affected by the murder. I do not think that Okonkwo is cruel, but I do believe that he is weak for not being able to stand up for Ike. Okonkwo went along with the crowd, and so the murder was not solely on his hands.
January 8, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Truly S
I personally think that okonkwo reaction reveals that he is a actually person who has feelings no matter how hard he tries to hide them. I think he feel really bad about the murder. Honestly this does change how i look at Okonkwo
January 15, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Gabriella S
Okonkwo’s reaction to the death of Ike did change my opinion of him slightly. To me, his remorse and refusal to eat made him more human and less of a heartless killer. I predicted that afterwards he would act as if nothing phased him or as if nothing happened because this would be the “manly” way to respond. However, because it was obvious something was bothering him (due to the fact he barely left his hut or ate) I felt as if for a moment his feelings were more important to him than acting the part of a “true man.”
January 18, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Brittany B.
I agree with Rachel. I think that Okonkwo can be considered cruel because Ike looked up to him, as if he were his own father and Okonkwo did not treat him as a son in his final moments. Okonkwo’s reaction to the murder reveals about his character that he is only looking out for himself because he his trying to prove to the tribe that he is not like his father and that he is “strong.” I do not feel that Okonkwo feels any bit of remorse for the murder but rather that he takes “pride” in it because he feels that he had the “strength” to kill his “son.”