A Surplus of Violence Leads to Destruction
A Surplus of Violence Leads to Destruction
Sometimes violence can be a positive thing in a culture derived on strength and aggression, but at what point will that violence cause a man to unravel and lead to his destruction? In the novel Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe, the characters live in a culture that is based around the strength of a man as the “head of the household”, and the honor a man can bring his family with a certain degree of aggression and violence. The protagonist Okonkwo values strength over anything else, and will go to unquestionable lengths to protect the reputation that he has amongst his village… However within this same mindset of violence he loses his temper frequently causing him to beat his family, kill a boy who is practically a son, and act out of violent passion in many other situations. We experience the violence that is cast upon the villages from the white missionaries, how Okonkwo reacts to these threats, and ultimately the destruction of Okonkwo and his fate as a result. Violence plays a key factor in Okonkwo life from the time he was a boy, however being unable to understand the difference between justified violence and the loss of control are what ultimately lead to his destruction and ultimate fate.
In a society that is based largely around old traditions and culture, a man with strength and aggression can add a lot of value to the tribe. Each of the nine villages base their respect towards each other around the “throwing of the Cat” (page 3), which is a reoccurring traditional wrestling/fighting match that determines which village houses the strongest man and brings their society a lot of honor. In seeing examples of the wresting and growing up with a father who was known as a coward, Okonkwo developed a mindset where he glorified men with strength and aggression. Yet in this blind revelry and as the only trait Okonkwo values, the reader discovers at which point the violence can turn from being something that adds
Sometimes violence can be a positive thing in a culture derived on strength and aggression, but at what point will that violence cause a man to unravel and lead to his destruction? In the novel Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe, the characters live in a culture that is based around the strength of a man as the “head of the household”, and the honor a man can bring his family with a certain degree of aggression and violence. The protagonist Okonkwo values strength over anything else, and will go to unquestionable lengths to protect the reputation that he has amongst his village… However within this same mindset of violence he loses his temper frequently causing him to beat his family, kill a boy who is practically a son, and act out of violent passion in many other situations. We experience the violence that is cast upon the villages from the white missionaries, how Okonkwo reacts to these threats, and ultimately the destruction of Okonkwo and his fate as a result. Violence plays a key factor in Okonkwo life from the time he was a boy, however being unable to understand the difference between justified violence and the loss of control are what ultimately lead to his destruction and ultimate fate.
In a society that is based largely around old traditions and culture, a man with strength and aggression can add a lot of value to the tribe. Each of the nine villages base their respect towards each other around the “throwing of the Cat” (page 3), which is a reoccurring traditional wrestling/fighting match that determines which village houses the strongest man and brings their society a lot of honor. In seeing examples of the wresting and growing up with a father who was known as a coward, Okonkwo developed a mindset where he glorified men with strength and aggression. Yet in this blind revelry and as the only trait Okonkwo values, the reader discovers at which point the violence can turn from being something that adds