After Okonkwo's gun accidentally explodes, killing Ekeudu's son at Ekeudu's funeral, he is exiled from the village for seven years. His land and property are destroyed, with the exception of yams saved from his farm, and the property that Okonkwo and his family take with them.
The village elders told Okonkwo to take care of Ikemefuna until his fate was decided. When Ikemefuna is sentenced to die, Okonkwo is afraid of being seen as weak. When Ikemefuna cries to him, Okonkwo takes care of Ikemefuna, (kills him).
Ikemefuna is led by the tribe on a long march outside of its lands. One tribeman cuts him with a machete. As Ikemefuna runs to Okonkwo for safety, Okonkwo chops Ikemefuna down with his machete.
He feels that he has a duty to the gods and the Oracle to participate. He delivers the killing blow because when Ikemefuna cries out to him, he inwardly feels compassion, and worries that he might do something that would cause him to be seen as unmanly, like attempting to save the child. Okonkwo overcompensates by killing Ikemefuna himself, and ending the personal trial.
Although Ikemefuna is from a different family, Nwoye treats Ikemefuna as an older brother to look up to and mimic. Ikemefuna is the older brother that Nwoye never had.
The oracle concluded that Ikemefuma must die. Okonkwo kills Ikemefuma to show his peers that he is not weak. It is ironic that Ikemefuna is, besides Okonkwo, the most manly man in his family.
Yes, the men of Umuofia have mixed feelings about killing Ikemefuna. On one hand, they follow the oracle's decree and believe it is necessary for the stability of the village. However, some men, like Okonkwo, struggle with their personal feelings of affection for Ikemefuna and the act of killing him.
Yes. Ikemefuna's death foreshadows Okonkwo's accidental killing of Ezeudu's son.
The taking of Ikemefuna to Umuofia from Mbaino was for restitution for the crime of Mbaino killing an Umuofian clanswoman. The taking of Ikemefuna to the outside the village is for the purpose of killing him. The taking of Ikemefuna to the river is so that he can help with the chores. The taking of Ikemefuna to village meetings was so that he could act as Okonkwo's eldest child, bringing Okonkwo's seat among other responsibilities.
Ikemefuna is taken into Okonkwo's home as part of the compensation for a murder committed by the neighboring village. He lives with Okonkwo's family and forms a close bond with Okonkwo's son, Nwoye. However, tragically, Okonkwo ultimately participates in Ikemefuna's killing to demonstrate his masculinity and avoid appearing weak.
Okonkwo is warned not to take part in the killing of Ikemefuna, the young boy who was living with his family. The Oracle warns him that he should not personally participate in the killing as it would bring about grave consequences.
The village elders told Okonkwo to take care of Ikemefuna until his fate was decided. When Ikemefuna is sentenced to die, Okonkwo is afraid of being seen as weak. When Ikemefuna cries to him, Okonkwo takes care of Ikemefuna, (kills him).
After killing Ikemefuna, Okonkwo is profoundly affected. He is troubled by the guilt and remorse, and he is haunted by the memory of the boy's death. The text describes how Okonkwo is unable to sleep or eat, indicating his mental and emotional turmoil.
Obierika is saddened and critical of the village's decision to kill Ikemefuna, as he viewed him as an adopted son and struggled to come to terms with his death. He questions the wisdom of the oracle and the customs that demand such sacrifices.
Okonkwo ends up killing Ikemefuna, against the advice of the elder Ezeudu.
Ikemefuna is first taken from his family in Mbaino as part of compensation for another village's tribesmen killing a woman of Umuofia in their market. He is taken care of by Okonkwo, and quickly becomes like a son to Okonkwo; Ikemefuna even calls Okonkwo father. Ikemefuna behaves like an ideal clansman, and becomes close to Nwoye, mentoring him as an older brother. Eventually, Umuofia's elders consult with the oracle whom declares that Ikemefuna must die. Ikemefuna is led off outside the village and is struck with a machete. He speaks his last words, saying "Father, they have killed me!" prompting Okonkwo to deliver the killing blow.
That the Oracle said that Ikemefuna had to be killed. He also said that Okonkwo should not go with for the killing. However, he did. Okonkwo said that Ikemefuna was going back to his home tribe.
There was no 'European response'.