Why does okonkwo act as he does?

Answer 1

Okonkwo was generally unsympathetic to people because he had worked hard and believed that anyone who was not succeeding was doing so due to lack of trying. He did not believe those people were worth much. Okonkwo is occasionally sympathetic, but his need to be seen as a man leads him to behave impassively and with hard emotions like anger, but without soft emotions which would show weakness.

Answer 2

Okonkwo's behavior is influenced by his deep fear of appearing weak, like his father, who was considered a failure in their community. He is driven by a desire to prove himself as a successful and respected man among his people. This fear of failure and intense desire for respect lead Okonkwo to be harsh and rigid in his actions and decisions.

Answer 3

In Things Fall Apart:

To Okonkwo, his needs come first. He asks his daughters not to marry anyone from Mbanta without considering how they might feel. He almost kills Ekwefi with his gun when he is infuriated, and also beat his wife Ojiugo to relieve his own anger. Further, this beating occured during the week of peace, so Okonkwo has put his own emotions before the needs of the gods. Afterwards, Okonkwo does not repent loudly afterwards, valuing his own pride over that of setting an example to other villagers for his misdeed. Okonkwo does not value his son Nwoye's need for self expression, and beats his sons regularly. Okonkwo also kills Ikemefuna in order to satisfy his self-image of being a strong man with no emotion. He is quick to advocate force against others without considering the impact it would have on the impacted.

Finally, he commits suicide out of pride and desperation at the end, refusing to adapt to the new world and leaving his family broken.

In No Longer At Ease:

Obi Okonkwo was selfish in that he valued his pride over that of the clan. He was willing to break traditions to marry Clara, an Osu. Further, he often valued his mood over Clara's, wishing to please himself before Clara's wishes were satisfied. Also, he initially refused to take bribes, causing great consternation in those who were trying to offer him bribes.

Answer 4

This depends on what Okonkwo is jeopardizing. He jeopardizes other warrior's families by killing several warriors during wars. He jeopardizes the peace by beating his wife. He jeopardizes relations with the Christians by advocating force to drive them out. He jeopardizes the well-being of men while imprisoned by suggesting that they should have killed the white men when kotma were within earshot.

Answer 5

He feels like he is doing the right thing