Okonkwo's Cultural Loyalty

Okonkwo’s and Nwoye’s Cultural Loyalty In the Novel, “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe Okonkwo and his culture have affected him greatly because of his great loyalty to his culture. He responded negatively to the cultural collisions that he faced and wanted to fight for their tribe. But they could not fight as when the white man showed up they changed their culture. The men in Umuofia went from being tough and strong to then being weak and soft after the white man appeared. This set up many Cultural collisions in Okonkwo’s life.

One cultural collisions that Okonkwo faced was the time he had to kill his son for that he would not seem weak. Okonkwo knew that he had to kill Ikemefuna because that is what one of their cultural beliefs were. In the text it says “As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raised his machete, Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow. He heard Ikemefuna cry, “My father, they have killed me!” as he ran towards him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.” This text shows us the cultural collision he faced because Okonkwo did not want to do it, but he was feared of being thought weak in front of the Ibo society so he did the final blow to his son.
But now when the Western people started to take charge he lost all the power he once had. Okonkwo tries to get the Ibo people to assist him in trying to rid of the Western people and get back to their old ways. But instead, the Ibo people will not help Okonkwo in his quest. This is another way how Okonkwo faced cultural collisions with the Ibo people. “How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us?” This text shows us how Okonkwo wants to fight but the Ibo people will not help him as they have “turned against