We can look at the role of family relationships in Achebe's Things Fall Apart in a couple of different ways. For one, there is the respect and homage paid to ancestors and to tradition. On another level, we can observe the interactions between our protagonist, Okonkwo, and various members of his family throughout the novel.
First, it is clear in the novel that part of Igbo culture is paying respect to one's ancestors. People pray to the spirits of their ancestors for guidance, for example. Achebe demonstrates how important it is in Igbo culture to revere the ancestors and to consult them on serious matters even though they are no longer living.
Okonkwo violates the tradition in the sense that he does not respect his own father. Okonkwo's father was a musician who was not financially successful. Okonkwo thinks his father is not masculine enough and vows to never be like him, so he goes to the other extreme and overvalues his own manliness and demands it of his children. Okonkwo has somewhat strained relationships within his own immediate family as a result. His eldest son Nwoye is not anything like Okonkwo personality-wise and is much more sensitive. He doesn't live up to Okonkwo's standards of masculinity. Oknokwo has a daughter named Ezinma with whom he is close, but his relationship with her is qualified by the fact that she is female. Okonkwo has three wives, which is permitted, but he beats one of them during the Peace Week, and that is strictly forbidden. Eventually, Okonkwo is exiled to his motherland after committing a "feminine crime" : accidentally killing a man with a shot of his gun. He is not accepting of his mother's tribe and their perspective on gender roles. All Okonkwo can think about is how he's going to get back to his village and rebuild his wealth and reputation. In some ways, Okonkwo is a tragic hero because he is isolated from others, including the ancestors and his own family. So through Okonkwo's mistakes, we might say that family relationships are important in Igbo life and if one does not properly respect those bonds, he may find himself in trouble.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Importance of family relationship in Things Fall Apart?
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