Mahidol University International Demonstration School

Presented by:

Pralin Chongrungsakulroj (Noon)

6161056 Class 1204

Presented to:

Mr. Daniel Montefusco

Prompt:

In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, analyze how Umuofia’s fixation

with strength and masculinity affected one character, and how it added to

their development over the course of the novel.

 In some societies, strength and masculinity have been extolled to be superior features of

men in many cultures, particular the Africans. In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe,

the author uses characterization and irony to underline the preferable characteristics of men in

society as being strong and masculine whereby the protagonist Okonkwo gains prestige by these

traits along with his ambition. However, because of his egocentric nature, he also loses his

genuine values and his life collapses at the end. Although he is accepted widely by people in the

society, there are several occasions that he regrets his own actions, which tear apart his

relationships with his family.

As leaders, people have strength to gain power being such the society’s backbone and

flee from being effeminate. The story begins with the depiction of the protagonist’s strength

which can clearly be seen as “Okonkwo wins fame as the strongest wrestler in nine villages and

beyond, throwing Amalinze the Cat, who for seven years had been unbeaten.” This implies that

his strength guides him a way and enlightens his life towards his goals until he becomes

successful as a young man. In fact, Okonkwo’s life can be visualized as a plant whose stem is

thickened by strength with the cover of masculinity and it grows towards the light of

hard-working and determination. However, it stands on the soil with fear and his father’s failure,

Unoka. Unoka is never viewed as a true man, in other words, a femininity. This is the reason

why he devoted his whole life to masculinity by being a competent farmer, a talented warrior, a

decisive Umuofia’s leader, and a fierce father of all children. This can be represented by the

statement, “During the planting season Okonkwo worked daily on his farms from cock-crow

until the chickens went to roost. He was a very strong man and rarely felt fatigue.” This indicates

that he is always diligent and determined in his works, not only for showing his greatness but
also for improving the well-being of his family. Hence, it is undeniable that his earliest fame has

brought him several positive qualities in life namely his titles, wealth, and power.

It is indisputable that Okonkwo wins ​fame ​but at the same time has a​ flame​ burning the

bond between family and himself. More specifically, strength is a commendable trait for every

leader but, somehow, it can be perceived as violence and cruelty. Okonkwo believes in the

ability of controlling his family members, wives, sons and daughters, so he becomes egocentric

in nature. He thinks that this will definitely show his masculinity towards society. In addition, it

is necessary for people in the households to respect the family leader and immediately obey the

established laws. This can be seen in the statement, “no matter how prosperous a man was, if he

was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a

man.” This illustrates that he tries to dominate his family members to show his importance and

authority and if anyone disobeys him, he will beat them harshly. The distinct example is the

argument between Okonkwo and his wife during the New Yam Festival where he becomes

furious with his wife’s criticism and almost kills her. Regarding this, the author uses an irony

technique to characterize Okonkwo by distorting the actual meaning of hypermasculinity. To

make it clearer, although Okonkwo is accepted as being masculine, it is undebatable that his

action towards his wife who is a defenseless woman is feminine. Furthermore, in the viewpoint

of Okonkwo, he believes that, “to show affection was a sign of weakness, the only thing worth

demonstrating was strength.” This is the reason why he is always fond of his children but never

expresses it explicitly. Therefore, his phantom of strength and masculinity, aggressiveness and

violence, tear his family apart as the title suggests, ​Things Fall Apart.

Taking both perspectives into consideration, since Umuofia is a place of men, strength

and masculinity are the two most significant aspects that play an important role in the society and
heavily shape Okonkwo identities and behaviors. These two traits inarguably bring him to the

peak of his life. However, they also drag him to the lowest point as well. He has a strong heart to

follow his own path but his heart is so strong that it loses all humanity and warmth. He is

physically strong as an ox but his mental thought is weak as a kitten. Thus, being a strong man,

one should be gentle but not weak and be strong but not violent.