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Okonkwo hangs himself because he is unable to adapt to the new society.
He knows he will be imprisoned, (and probably executed) for killing the messenger. He is also a proud man, so prefers to take action into his own hands. By killing himself, he controls his own destiny instead of letting the Europeans control him. He also knows that his clan will not fight the Europeans.
Some have argued that he hangs himself because he is ashamed of his village, but if that were so, than he probably would not have killed himself, which is a sacrilege to his village.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoHe killed the messenger and couldn't fight with the 9 villages against the white man. He would have been sentenced to death anyways by the Judicial system set up in the tribe as you see in the last chapter when they're looking for him (for killing the messenger).
He chooses this way instead of going down fighting because the tribe has killed his spirit. He knows the clan will not defend him against the white men because they are afraid. Okonkwo chooses not to inflict more pain upon the clan by fighting back, but is too proud to let himself be hanged by the white man, to submit. Okonkwo is not a coward who runs, but faces conflict head on. His death represents the death of the clan's spirit, self inflicted and a disgrace to their gods.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoOkonkwo gets depressed several times:
- When he ends up killing Ikemefuna
- When Mbanta will do nothing more than ostracize the Christians, and then they stop doing even that.
- When Nwoye joins Christianity
- When the men gathered in his village let the messengers get away, because he knows that there will be no war.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoOkonkwo becomes depressed for several reasons:
- He has nothing to do (particularly during festivals)
- He is exiled
- He is constrained against acting against the Christians
- His village is no longer manly
- His sons cannot join Ibo culture for at least 2 years
- The white man has taken over the village
- The Igbo will not fight the white men
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoI would say neither. At this point he has narrowed his choices to running, going down fighting, submitting, or committing suicide.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThere are many such incidents, but the biggest is when Nwoye converts to Christianity and forsakes Okonkwo's gods, and his father's gods before him.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoOkonkwo hangs himself from a tree.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoOkonkwo hung himself.
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What does Okonkwo learn about himself after his crop fails?
Even though his crop fails twice, Okonkwo goes on planting. He learns he has an inflexible will and can endure such hardship.
What did the medicine man tell Okonkwo after the death of Ekwefi?
This event did not happen. Ekwefi was still alive when Okonkwo hung himself. However, many of Ekwefi's children had died before.
Why do the people of Umuofia want the District Commissioner's men to bury Okonkwo?
Okonkwo has committed an offense against the earth by hanging himself, and thus cannot be touched by the villagers.It is an abomination against the Earth for a man to take his own life, and so his body becomes evil. It is against Umuofian customs to touch a man who commited suicide, and so only strangers can bury Okonkwo.
What was the commissioner's reaction to the killing of the messenger in Things Fall Apart?
This would depend on the incident.This might refer to any of:The burning of the churchThe killing of the messengerDiscovering Okonkwo had been hangedSee related questions.
How is okonkwo sympathetic?
Personally, i dont sympathize with him at all because many of the events that occured, Okonkwo brought onto himself. For example, the beating of his wife during the week of peace, and his murder of Ikemefuna; the ideal son of Okonkwo.
What did uncle Uchendu mean when he said you did not hang yourself and you are still alive to okonkwo in things fall apart?
Uchendu meant that being exiled was not the end of life. Okonkwo had not completely disgraced himself and could recover given time.
Is Okonkwo his own god?
No, Okonkwo has a personal god, but is not a god in himself.
Why did Okonkwo hang himself in end instead of starting a war himself like he said he would?
Okonkwo hanged himself because he felt powerless after his society had been fundamentally changed by the arrival of the white colonizers. He realized that the traditional ways of his people were no match for the influence of the colonizers and he could not see a way to rise above it. His suicide was a final act of defiance and a way to maintain a sense of control over his own destiny.
What does the District Commissioner learn when he arrives in Umuofia to find Okonkwo?
Okonkwo has hanged himself.
Where was Okonkwo buried?
Okonkwo would likely be buried in the Evil Forest, as he desecrated his body by hanging himself.
How did nwoye respond when okonkwo confronted him?
Nwoye initially felt fear and intimidation in response to Okonkwo's confrontations. However, as time passed, Nwoye began to distance himself from his father's harshness and eventually disassociated himself from Okonkwo and his beliefs.
Why does Okonkwo reject feasts?
Okonkwo does not reject feasts. However, Okonkwo is annoyed when he can not keep himself busy or is otherwise forbidden to work. During certain holidays with feasts, he is forbidden from working.
What does the relationship between Okonkwo and his second wife reveal about Okonkwo?
It reveals that Okonkwo does have a love relationship side to him as well besides the side of him wanting to be masculine and promote himself in the eyes of other villagers.
How does obierika prove himself to be a good friend to okonkwo in this chapter?
Obierika proves himself to be a good friend to Okonkwo in this chapter by visiting him in exile, bringing him money from the sale of Okonkwo's yams, and offering him support and encouragement during his time of need. He shows loyalty and empathy towards Okonkwo, demonstrating the strength of their friendship.
What does Okonkwo learn about himself after his crop fails?
Even though his crop fails twice, Okonkwo goes on planting. He learns he has an inflexible will and can endure such hardship.
How does Okonkwo compare himself to his father in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe?
Okonkwo considers himself more 'manly' than his father. That is, he is a great warrior, farmer, and wrestler whom is a well-respected villager.
What did okonkwo tell himself about his part in Ikemefuma's death?
Okonkwo justified his part in Ikemefuna's death by believing he had to show strength and not appear weak. He convinced himself that he was acting in the best interest of his family and his community by following the customs and expectations of the tribe.
