Okonkwo's Pride In Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo’s overbearing pride in himself results in unforeseen consequences for his family and others which come in contact with him throughout the book. Case in point, when Okonkwo was told by an elder of the Umuofia not be getting involved with the killing of Ikemefuna because as he was told “that boy calls you father.” Prompting, Okonkwo to be exiled and sent to live with his mother for 7 years. Which resulted from the unfortunate killing of Ezeudu's son from the misfiring of a bullet. Rather than just listening Okonkwo’s pride slapped him in the face and being looked upon as weak was no option. How could the man who took down Amalinze the Cat as a teen and was a about to take the Idemili title, which was the third highest in the land show signs of weakness over a boy that had only stayed with him and his family for a couple of months. Having Okonkwo to be looked upon as a tragic hero has been
Growing up less fortunate than the others in his community influenced his eventual success. He had 3 wives and a barnyard full of yams to exhibit his prosperity every year. Additionally, he was a very loyal member and fierce warrior of Umuofia who will stop at nothing to defend his country from foreign invaders. “An Umuofia man does not refuse a call,” he said.(Ch.23)” “He may refuse to do what he is asked; he does not refuse to be asked.(Ch.23) ” Withal the success obtained Okonkwo left a path of destruction for anyone in his path. A perfect example is Okonkwo's son Nwoye who causes Okonkwo “great anxiety for his incipient laziness.(p.13)” So, instead of finding something for him to do the only option was to constantly beat some sense into him. Unfortunately, Nwoye to start, “developing into a sad faced youth”. Which’s brought upon Okonkwo irritability and violence towards his family , because of his non-affection and low-tolerance for “weak” people in Okonkwo’s