Igbo Culture In Things Fall Apart

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Throughout the novel of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe the Ibo culture has been given importance and has been emphasized in the novel. The characters in the novel or the members of the clan give great respect to the Ibo culture. The traditions of this culture are followed greatly as the people of the clan respect and follow them throughout the book. Okonkwo is known as the protagonist in Things Fall Apart as he is greatly known for breaking multiple traditions in the novel. His choices towards the Ibo culture have led to numerous consequences and benefits. This culture has ritual speeches and different ceremonies which makes them greatly formal. The members of the clan show great respect to others including ancestral spirits and numerous …show more content…
Even though, Okonkwo may seem to follow all rules of the Ibo culture, in reality, nothing can take over him and his actions when he is outraged. For example, due to his temper he broke the Week of Peace as no work should be done or any violence. “He walked back to his obi to await Ojiugo’s return. And when she returned he beat her very heavily. In his anger he had forgotten that it was the Week of Peace. His first two wives ran out in great alarm pleading with him that it was the sacred week. But Okonkwo was not the man to stop beating somebody half-way through, not even for fear of a goddess.” (Achebe, page 29). Okonkwo beating his wife during the Week of Peace was a great ting because this is known as a great sin for the members of the clan. He then has to give in some of his items such as hundred cowries in order to make up for his mistake. For Okonkwo his reputation is most important in which he wants members of the clan to know him as masculine and manly unlike his father. In the novel it states, “As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raised his machete, Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow. The pot fell and broke in the sand. 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
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