Okonkwo has anger problems and takes it out on his spouses.
Okonkwo's wife Ojiugo forgets to get Okonkwo and her children their meals, as she went to get her hair plaited at her friend's house. The first wife ends up feeding her children. Okonkwo beats Ojiugo for her negligence.
Unfortunately, this beating violates the sacred Week of Peace.
During the New Yam Festival, Okonkwo gets restless and angry, and makes up an excuse to beat his second wife.
Okonkwo beat his wives occasionally, although more so when he had nothing to do. Two beatings mentioned in the book are:
Okonkwo beat Amalinze the Cat in Wrestling, and his wives (1st, Ekwefi, & Ojiugo) at home. He also beat his children, particularly his sons, and especially Nwoye.
Okonkwo beats his third wife during the Week of Peace in Chapter 4. Okonkwo beats his second wife in Chapter 5 (p.34).
Okonkwo is a primal, emotion driven creature, and is probably just thinking of his own rage.
Okonkwo breaks the sacred Peace of Ani, also known as the Week of Peace. He is forced to sacrifice to the goddess and repent.
His neighbours look down upon Okonkwo for the sacrilege.
soundly.
The beat of the drums filled Okonkwo with fire. Okonkwo felt the desire to conquer and subdue.
Okonkwo beat the legendary Amalinze the Cat, who had been undefeated in 5 years of wrestling.
Okonkwo accidentally kills a tribesman.
Ojiugo is beat by Okonkwo for failing to prepare meals for Okonkwo and her children.
Okonkwo breaks the sacred Peace of Ani, also known as the Week of Peace, by beating Ojiugo, his third wife. He is forced to sacrifice to the goddess and repent. His neighbours look down upon Okonkwo for the sacrilege, and also for not being outwardly repentant, as they think he is not genuinely repenting.
The beat of the drums filled Okonkwo with fire. Okonkwo felt the desire to conquer and subdue.
Okonkwo beat the legendary Amalinze the Cat, who had been undefeated in 5 years of wrestling.
Okonkwo accidentally kills a tribesman.
Ojiugo is beat by Okonkwo for failing to prepare meals for Okonkwo and her children.
Okonkwo beat his third wife, Ojiugo, during the week of peace for her negligence in failing to prepare meals for either himself or her children.
Okonkwo breaks the sacred Peace of Ani, also known as the Week of Peace, by beating Ojiugo, his third wife. He is forced to sacrifice to the goddess and repent. His neighbours look down upon Okonkwo for the sacrilege, and also for not being outwardly repentant, as they think he is not genuinely repenting.
If speaking about after his death, his 3 wives survive him. He has as at least 7 sons and 4 daughters who also survive him. The Cat survives wrestling with Okonkwo, but is thrown. Ekwefi survives getting shot at by Okonkwo. Ojiugo survives getting beat up by Okonkwo during the week of peace. Nwoye survives getting choked by Okonkwo, and coverts, changing his name to Isaac.
When Okonkwo beat his second wife during the new yam festival, it was seen as a serious crime against the earth goddess, who is highly revered during the festival. As a result, Okonkwo and his family were exiled from the village for seven years as punishment.
Ekwefi and Okonkwo fall in love after a wrestling match in which Okonkwo demonstrates his strength and courage. Ekwefi is impressed by Okonkwo's prowess and determination, and they begin a courtship that leads to marriage.
Not too much is significant about the gun Okonkwo owns. As Okonkwo is not a good hunter, it has rarely been fired. When Ekwefi is mad at Okonkwo she remarks the gun 'has never been fired.' Unfortunately Okonkwo hears this, and flies into a rage, discharging the gun next to Ekwefi.
Okonkwo beat his wife during the week of peace, the one week of the year in which no violence was to be committed. As this week of peace was a tribute to the gods, this was considered sacrilege and an offense to the gods.
Okonkwo waits for his afternoon meal from Ojuigo but it never comes. She went to get her hair plaited at her friend's house and forgot to return early enough to cook the meal. The first wife ends up feeding her children. Okonkwo beats Ojiugo for her negligence.