Examples Of Okonkwo's Behavior In Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo’s behavior could very much described as violent for many reasons such as described in the book by violently beating his wife, killing his “son”, and accidentally killing a sixteen year old boy. During the week of peace Okonkwo beat his wife for returning too late to make his dinner. “And when she returned he beat her heavily.”(21) This was an act that was against the rules during the week of peace. From this we learned that he has no control at anytime, even if it ruins the occasion he no control of what he does in the moment.

Due to his violent behavior and often outbursts of rage, he beat and even thought about shooting his second wife, only because she cut some leaves off of the banana tree.This shows how little of something can set him off. “Without further argument Okonkwo gave her a sound beating and left her and her only daughter weeping.”(27) After he beat her he planned on going hunting to let out his anger. When he was leaving the second wife murmured something about guns that never shot and okonkwo heard her so he loaded his gun and fired, luckily like she said he had never really used it so he missed. The wife was fine just shocked, but in return Okonkwo showed a side he hadn't seen before which was him being a little more affectionate than he had in the past.
“In the centre of the crowd a boy lay in a pool of blood.”93 During the funeral of Ezeudu they were firing off guns during the ceremony. Okonkwo happened to be on of the men honored with the right to shoot the gun. During the funeral Okonkwo’s gun exploded and a piece of iron hit the boy in the heart. This most likely was an accident, or it could’ve been Okonkwo’s own doing. Due to Okonkwo actions such as treating his wives, children, and many people in the village with so so poorly it could have brought him bad