Themes


Okonkwo is the way he is because of his past.


Okonkwo was as slippery as a fish in water (simile). He fights Amalinze the Cat and wins. This shows his total courage.  He is tall and huge with a wide nose that gives him a severe look. He breathed heavily when he slept and his wives and children could hear him breath. When he walks on springs, he walks as if he's going to pounce on somebody. He has a slight stammer and whenever he gets angry and can't get his words out he uses his fist. The aftermath of his past caused him to have these behaviors.

Fear of Failure and Weakness.


Okonkwo saw his father as a complete failure and still does to this day. Unoka was lazy, owed everyone money, and a drunk. He has a great life with three wives and a successful farm. He is even famous for showing courage in the two inter-tribal wars. Okonkwo continually feels that he is becoming weak and on the verge of failure. He doesn't want to end up like his father, but his fear of failure and weakness still haunts him.

 Prevention of War


The wife of Ogbuef Udo was killed. The Oracles forbid the village to have a war without trying a peace settlement. Everyone in this village is bloodthirsty and wants to vengeance. The punishment for murder is to either have a war or go into the woods and bring back a young man and a virgin. The virgin is given to the man who lost his wife, while the boy, (whose father murdered the wife), is taken in to Okonkwo's home. This theme shows the tradition of the Ibo people and how they deal with legal matters.