How Does Okonkwo Kill Ikemefuna

In Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo made the wrong decision in killing Ikemefuna because he was like a son, the death of Ikemefuna caused Nwoye’s distrust in him, and the guilt he felt in killing Ikemefuna. Ikemefuna was like a son to Okonkwo, Okonkwo told him stories and shared his food with him, even others not in their family could see this. When Okonkwo finds out that Ikemefuna is to be killed, Ezeudu, a village elder, tells Okonkwo “to have nothing to do with it. He calls you his father.” (57). Okonkwo goes against Ezeudu’s wishes, and ends up being the one that kills Ikemefuna, even after Ikemefuna turns to him for help when he is struck. When Nwoye learns of his friend’s death, he develops a distrust and fear for his father.