Things Fall Apart by the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe is a very interesting novel about culture and tribal life in Africa, specifically during the period of colonization by European missionaries. The novel describes several cultural aspects and conflicts regarding tribal life as well as the clash between the European culture that missionaries spread in Africa on the one side and the prevailing tribal culture on the other side. The story reflects upon several themes such as among other things traditions followed by tribes, cultural differences, the prevailing culture, and tragic heroism. However, there is one interesting dimension in the story that takes place in the fictional and masculine society of Igbo which is about the role of masculinity in this society and how this affects the protagonist, Okonkwo, who strongly believes in this, masculinity. It is rather interesting to understand how the protagonist of the story evolves throughout the story.
The protagonist of the story (Things Fall Apart), Okonkwo, is presented at the very beginning of the novel as a man of belief in traditions and mainly in the ideal of masculinity. That is he tries to fit into an ideal that is based on the notion of masculinity and its role in the tribe. This is illustrated through Okonkwo who tries to become the masculine and strong man of authority in contrast to his father. This is even reflected in Okonkwo’s view of his son who he believes is a bit soft and weak. Furthermore, the protagonist reaches the ideal that he aims for among his tribal fellows as well. He is a wealthy and strong man, and he punishes his three wives by beating them. He even sacrificed the adopted boy who he raised as a son to him just for the sake of the ideal that he aims to achieve. The ideal image that Okonkwo aimed to achieve and his perception of how he should act while among others in the tribe is illustrated in the following quote:
“Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength. He therefore treated Ikemefuna as he treated everybody else—with a heavy hand. But there was no doubt that he liked the boy. Sometimes when he went to big village meetings or communal ancestral feasts he allowed Ikemefuna to accompany him, like a son, carrying his stool and his goat-skin bag. And, indeed, Ikemefuna called him father.” (p. 28).
The problems in Things Fall Apart start facing Okonkwo after an accidental shooting that forces the protagonist to leave his community with all his family members. During his period of exile, a lot changed in his community. He returns from exile to a changing community that starts accepting the European culture spread by missionaries. As Okonkwo is no longer recognized for his authority and strength after his period in exile and while the community is governed by European missionaries, violence has become not a way to follow. Compliance has gained more importance in the prevailing culture which even the violent and masculine man, Okonkwo should follow. The protagonist struggled to try to adapt to the new community after his period in exile but unfortunately failed. He still was as violent as before and he killed a messenger believing that his tribe would go to war and support him but nevertheless, values were changed forever in the community. This was his last try to gain his status back among his tribal fellows before he commits suicide and his rebellion was reduced and diminished to be illustrated as a humiliating death to him. His death can be perceived as him being a hero in the conflict between tribal culture and the new emerging missionaries’ culture.
“That was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; and now he will be buried like a dog.” Obierika – p.178
Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart can be perceived as a tragic hero in this clash between different cultures and he evolves from being a strong man of authority in his tribe to becoming destroyed by the values that he carries. The protagonist of the story and his evolution throughout the book reflects upon the main theme of the book and the message that the author wants to deliver to the reader. It is not only about masculinity, the ideal that Okonkwo tries to achieve, but rather about every aspect that the story reflects upon and which is represented in Okonkwo’s evolution.