When Okonkwo kills the first messenger trying to stop the meeting, none of his fellow villagers stop the other messengers from escaping. None of them are driven to the same conclusion that he is, that the white men must be fought. Some of them even ask 'Why did he do that?'
Okonkwo realizes that the Igbo are no longer who they used to be; they are no longer the great warriors. Thus they will not fight.
The white men had infiltrated the village and given some villagers positions of power. If things went back to the way they were before, these villagers would lose their privileges. Thus, these villagers would fight to retain them, and would also bring the white men to retain the status quo. The villagers were divided against each other.
Okonkwo berates these men, insulting them, and their social stature. He has no patience with these men and often gets into fights with any who would be stupid enough to fight with him.
The spectators to the wrestling matches came from the village and all of the neighbouring villages.
Although it is not explicitly stated, this is unlikely. Achebe seems to imply that Okonkwo was looking for a reason to fight and release his pent up restlessness.
Okonkwo believes that direct action is needed to get rid of the Christians. He believes they should be removed from Mbanta by force if necessary. The other tribesman are content to let their gods fight their own battles, and believe they are doing so when the clansmember who killed (or bragged of killing) a sacred python suddenly dies of illness.
When the commissioner found out Okonkwo was dead, he relaxed as his problem was solved, and he and his men would not have to fight anyone. Further, he switched into a scholarly mode, trying to learn about the tribe's customs.
They do not have the resolve as they have not come to the same conclusions that Okonkwo has. Okonkwo has come to the conclusion that force is necessary in order to change the world to the way he wants. The other villagers are unwilling to make the sacrifice to fight and are afraid, perhaps of death, and perhaps of futility. Many of the men outwardly express their lack of comprehension.
In "Things Fall Apart," the abuse trial ends with the elders deciding to fine Ekwefi's husband, Okonkwo, for beating her during the sacred Week of Peace. This judgment was seen as fair considering the severity of Okonkwo's actions and the importance of upholding tradition in the community.
The white men had infiltrated the village and given some villagers positions of power. If things went back to the way they were before, these villagers would lose their privileges. Thus, these villagers would fight to retain them, and would also bring the white men to retain the status quo. The villagers were divided against each other.
fight
He talks about the culture and traditions of Okonkwo's tribe. The book follows Okonkwo and some members of his village through their life as missionaries arrive and change the land as they knew it. Some adapt to the Christian missionaries and join them, while others strongly oppose and fight them. The missionaries bring some positives with them, but most of the changes have negative consequences for the tribes.
Some important quotes from "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe include: "The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart." (Chapter 20) "There is no story that is not true." (Chapter 18) "Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter." (Proverb)
Okonkwo berates these men, insulting them, and their social stature. He has no patience with these men and often gets into fights with any who would be stupid enough to fight with him.
The spectators to the wrestling matches came from the village and all of the neighbouring villages.
Although it is not explicitly stated, this is unlikely. Achebe seems to imply that Okonkwo was looking for a reason to fight and release his pent up restlessness.
Okonkwo believes that direct action is needed to get rid of the Christians. He believes they should be removed from Mbanta by force if necessary. The other tribesman are content to let their gods fight their own battles, and believe they are doing so when the clansmember who killed (or bragged of killing) a sacred python suddenly dies of illness.
After Okonkwo kills the messenger, he realizes that his village will not rise up against the colonizers, leading him to commit suicide in despair and shame. His actions ultimately symbolize the clash between traditional Igbo values and the encroachment of Western colonization.