Okonkwo is a character in Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart" who attempts to conform outwardly while questioning himself internally, even though at first glance he might don't look like that. Okonkwo's internal conflict caused by tensions of conformity and personal questions adds to the work by demonstrating that in every culture there are customs that are not fully accepted, demonstrating, like human nature, that no society is perfect and no rule goes unquestioned. to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay When Okonkwo adopts young Ikemefuna, Okonkwo becomes very fond of him. Inwardly, Okonkwo enjoys Ikemefuna's manhood and his affection over his other son, Nwoye, as Nwoye looks up to Ikemefuna as a more masculine figure and Nwoye attempts to live up to Ikemefuna as a man, something Okonkwo can truly appreciate and value be openly proud. Okonkwo favors Ikemefuna, taking Ikemefuna on a journey with him. Outwardly, however, Okonkwo believes that affection is a weakness, and therefore displays none of these emotions. When the tribe orders that they have decided to kill Ikemefuna after three years spent with Okonkwo and his family, Okonkwo is conflicted. He truly cares for Ikemefuna, but joins the party that carries out his murder to feel the self-induced pressure of conformity to further his own success and the success of the tribe. When a member of the group strikes the first blow and Ikemefuna shouts "father, they are killing me", Okonkwo immediately jumps and finishes Ikemefuna with his machete, terrified of being seen as weak. Although at that time it seems that Okonkwo fully agreed with the elders' decision, after that Okonkwo is unable to eat or sleep for almost three days. He is bedridden, his eyes are red, presumably from crying and the intense emotional repercussions of his actions. Outwardly Okonkwo eagerly conforms to the tribe's wishes, even too eagerly. Arguing with his friend Obierika reveals Okonkwo's inner questions hidden by his rapid and outward conformity. Eager to display his strength for fear of inadequacy, Okonkwo wonders why Obierika was not in the killing party. Obierika tells Okonkwo that he simply didn't want to, and counters by telling Okonkwo "If the spirits had ordered to kill my son, I would not have disobeyed, but I wouldn't have done it either." (57). Despite having a strong, masculine, fighting son and a strong suitor for his daughter, (a very outwardly conformist and successful family) Obierika later also wonders why the Okonkwo tribe ordered to be banished for seven years for an incident that he did not it was Okonkwo's responsibility. control, in much the same way that Okonkwo painfully wonders internally why he had to be the one to strike the blow. This prompts internal questioning not necessarily just about the wisdom of the spirit or tribe, but about why it had to be done, and what makes spirits so wise. These two examples of questions from Obierika and Okonkwo demonstrate that Okonkwo's questions found traction and part of the reason why "things fall apart" in the tribe was that the steep traditions in place were not free from discussion, because these traditions did not they are fully explained and logically agreed upon. in a way that felt right. While Ikemefuna's killing is carried out according to a tribal rule, the seemingly absolute decision left room for ambiguity in the form of what action Okonkwo should take, and thus his flawed actions led him to/35288)