Things Fall Apart Okonkwo\'s Suicide

¶ … Things fall apart

Okonkwo's suicide in regard to African traditions

Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart" presents readers with an account involving Okonkwo, the leader of a fictional village in Nigeria, and his people as they struggle to fight for their well-being in an environment that is not exactly relaxing. The character of Okonkwo goes through a series of events that put his principles to test and that succeed in destabilizing his apparent blind confidence in his own powers. Okonkwo is a tragic hero that eventually dies as a consequence of his flaws, as he acknowledges that his strength of will is not powerful enough to assist him in overcoming the various events that he comes across.

Most people reading the book are likely to consider that it is meant to depict Okonkwo as he experiences a rise and fall process in the Umofian village. However, in order to understand the complexity of this novel, one needs to focus on the central character's suicide and on the general context regarding it. Okonkwo's death is strongly connected with his people's traditions and with the coming of white people in their territories.

Achebe practically discusses concepts that address the world as a whole, as it is very probable that he did not necessarily wanted to focus on conditions in Nigeria. Okonkwo goes through great efforts throughout his whole life with the purpose of being a good man and in order for his people to recognize him for his abilities. However, he gradually discovers that reality is harsh and that a person cannot change his or her fate. Similar to how he is a mere victim in his life's story, the people and the village that he holds great respect for prove to be unworthy of his praise as they simply yield in front of white forces. The world virtually crumbles around Okonkwo as he tries to influence people in joining him. While his tribe initially forces him to take part in the murder of his protegee, it later proves that it is not capable to follow tradition when conditions become critical. Instead of being a coward through killing himself, Okonkwo should actually be recognized as one of the only individuals in his clan courageous enough to do something in regard to the fact that white men invaded their lands.

In contrast to his people, Okonkwo did his best to experience positive feelings during his life, but his suicide is one of his last attempts to control his fate, as it appears that he was frustrated with the fact that he lost his clan and his lands. Throughout his life, Okonkwo struggles to perform acts that would benefit both him and his clan as a whole. He does not hesitate to host Ikemefuna when his tribe provides him with this task and he even takes part in murdering the child when the tribe's elders decide that he should die. Even with that, it appears that Okonkwo's fate is sealed and that he has limited control over what happens to him.

Okonkwo cannot stand by and watch as his village's values are being trampled by men that have nothing to do with his clan or his lands. Upon seeing that his tribesmen are reluctant to join him at the time when he slays a messenger, Okonkwo realizes that the battle is lost and decides that he can no longer live in a world where everything that he respects is destroyed both by his people and by the invading white individuals.

On the other hand, the man's death can also be perceived as proof that people are unable to change their fate. In spite of the fact that Okonkwo struggled to be different from his father, he ended up being exactly like him, especially considering that he dies alone and without receiving any recognition from the tribe. Even with that, Obierika's determination to present the commissioner with his friend's courage and loyalty to his people makes it possible for readers to understand that there was more to Okonkwo than they thought. Okonkwo's suicide is likely to demonstrate that the man was actually capable of being stronger than fate.