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Things Fall Apart

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Things Fall Apart
If Okonkwo's dad didn't act like he did, how would it be different?

Okonkwo and his family would have a better life because his dad was in so much debt and he was lazy and selfish. “In his day he was lazy and improvident” (Achebe 4).

Okonkwo probably would have led a better life. He most likely wouldn't be as obsessed with power and strength ashe is now. The only reason he's obsessed with those things is because he doesn't want to be anything like his father. Okonkwo wanted to be a responsible and tough man that can provide for his family” (Achebe 13).

Okonkwo's life would have been different because he basically decides to be the opposite man his father was by stating “Okonkwo was ruled by one passion- to hate everything that his father had loved.”

Okonkwo would not have been so cold-hearted and would be more open with his wives and children. “Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger” (Achebe 28).

Do you think that showing emotion is showing weakness?

I don't think that showing emotion is necessarily a weakness because it shows your feelings and that you have a heart which all humans have and all humans show their feelings at the same time. In chapter 7, when Ikemefuna was about to be killed in the forest, “Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow.” He couldn't stand to watch the person whom he called a son die.

Showing emotion is not showing weakness because weakness is connected to emotion. IF okonkwo shows emotion with his father, that doesn't mean he's weak. “he had no patience with his father” (Achebe 4).

Do you think that being strong is the ultimate sign of power?

Yes, I do believe that strength is the ultimate sign of power in the book because Okonkowo's fame was based on solid personal feats some involving strength. “Every muscle stood out in their arms, backs and thighs.”

No I don't think strength is the ultimate sign of power because he was the strongest man in his village ad yet he was
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