Initially, I was under the impression that Okonkwo was on the way to becoming a hero. In order to become a hero, you must pass an ordeal; I believed that the issue with his father provided something to be overcome. Upon completing the novel, although he chose to escape, my naive mind firmly believed Okonkwo's actions became a legacy outside of the fading black ink. Jumping out from the thin white pages, he became a hero.
That being said, perhaps this idea only proved my ignorance to the Igbo culture and the importance of cultural relativity. Even with the novel as a source of insight, perhaps I could not judge Okonkwo by Westernized measures. The Igbo people viewed all suicides as sins. In this light, the protagonist had the chance to be hero throughout; yet, by taking his own life, he failed. To contrast this, suicide in Western movies was considered a noble death if it was done for a cause. We labelled it as an honorable sacrifice when the captured secret agent or the star-crossed lovers cut their own life strings.
In the same perspective, without knowing what happened after the final chapter, I believed Okonkwo's death stood for something. His character became a hero by making such a bold statement that global readers would care. In international eyes, he may or may not have been a perfect protagonist, but we read the book from cover to cover. And as his body hung lifeless from that tree, we stopped to think. By committing suicide, he showed to the Western readers the very impact of their missionaries. By doing something so unforgivable and shameful to his clan, he proved the desperation of the situation. Oftentimes, by the nature of biculturalism, the people spreading their religion believed they were doing a kind and compassionate duty. Okonkwo's tragic story, however, proved otherwise. And it was this that gave real, living people a perspective on the true impact of their actions.
"The Igbo people viewed all suicides as sins. In this light, the protagonist had the chance to be hero throughout; yet, by taking his own life, he failed."
ReplyDeleteThat made me rethink my strong belief that Okonkwo is not a hero. Would you not think that having the courage to kill yourself is worth noting? I'm not saying that everyone should go hang themselves as proof that they're a man, but killing yourself takes guts. The whole thing with suicide is very.... I don't know a word for it.
But yes, although I view suicide as a waste of a life, I still admire those with the guts to actually go and do it. And courage, isn't that an important trait in heroes?
Really? that's true... Suicide takes guts, but maybe what takes the most courage is living through everything. Who knows. I don't know if I"m maintaining my opinion or not...
ReplyDeleteYes, very morbid and controversial, sometimes being a sensitive topic.
Hey Kaitlin,
ReplyDelete:) Everything you said certainly does give a different point of view in the way that suicide might have a point for Okonkwo after all.
My opinion on suicide is not very high because I think it is a coward ways out to not deal with anything or any problem. Okonkwo was like trying to escape reality by aking his own life. He couldn't face what his society has presented him.
On the other hand, he was brave enough to try and change his society even though he failed and had more burdens such as Nwoye changing his religion and becoming someone different. Plus, throughout the bnovel, he has shown that he can be brave. However, is that enough?
Anyways. you made a big point for me and that made me rethink a little about his situation especially the point being that his suicide gave a perspective on their impact of their actions even though the novel never really stated if that happened or not.
Thank you :)