Anthony Liccione said that “some people would rather die in their pride, than live in their humility.” Chinua Achebe paints a picture of a man, Okonkwo, who rises through his personal efforts to become known in nine villages and beyond. Although Okonkwo is hard working, provides for his family and has managed to win great respect in impressive feats of bravery, these achievements reinforce his sense of pride. The arrogance that pushes Okonkwo to greatness also contributes to his downfall. Throughout the novel, Achebe portrays how Okonkwo is ready for conflict when he feels that his pride will be compromised. Okonkwo lives through his fists and spares no one who dares stand on his way. This essay will depict the way the protagonist, Okonkwo is driven by sense of self-importance, leading him to make unguided decisions that eventually lead to his shameful downfall.
Descriptive Imagery, Rhetorical Questions and Tactile Imagery
The author uses descriptive imagery, rhetorical questions and tactile imagery to show Okonkwo’s pride. Okonkwo says “let us not reason like cowards” (Achebe 147). The statement is made by Okonkwo during a clan meeting in Mbata. The words are filled with pride as he regards himself as the only one having sober thoughts amongst the clan leaders. Okonkwo does not seek the wisdom of the other elders and concludes on his own that the Christians should be forced out. His level of intolerance is evident in the rhetorical question “If a man comes into my hut and defecates on the floor, what do I do?” (Achebe 147). Okonkwo proceeds to say that he would take a stick and break the man’s head. Clearly, Okonkwo is full of disgust and the thoughts that run through his mind are that the clan is womanly and that such happenings would never occur in his fatherland, Umuofia. Even after standing his ground, the clan decides to ostracize the Christians that were responsible for killing the royal python. Okonkwo grinds his teeth as a show of discontent.
The author also uses tactile imagery in the novel. Speaking of Okonkwo, Achebe says that “he had a slight stammer and whenever he was angry and could not get his words out quickly enough, he would use his fists” (Achebe 9). The statement means that the pride in Okonkwo would not let him waste any time explaining anything to anyone. If some conversations were not going as he pleased he would resort to violence so that the other party cannot judge him as weak due to his communication difficulties. Descriptive imagery, rhetorical questions and tactile imagery have been used by Achebe to define Okonkwo. The author has also incorporated similes throughout the novel.
The use of Similes
Achebe also uses similes to craft the theme of pride in the novel. Interestingly the author compares Okonkwo to fire, and the protagonist end burning in the fire. “Okonkwo’s fame had grown like a bush-fire in the harmattan” (Achebe 8). The pride that Okonkwo portrays is translated in the way he burns the lesser people as fuel. With the continued burning, the pride and strength grew and this was true even in his adulthood. After hearing the beats from the drums that filled him with fire, Okonkwo “trembled with the desire to conquer and subdue” (Achebe 44). The fire in Okonkwo drives him to conquer anyone who dares him in Umuofia and rise above the disgrace left by his father. He uses the fire to burn his own family, beat his family and killing three innocent persons. The beatings are not driven by any meaningful causes but his desire to prove his superiority.
For example, Okonkwo beat Nwoye for listening to his mother’s stories. He also beats the innocent child again for helping the mother with household chores. The folktales, particularly those featuring animals are considered for the weak persons by Okonkwo. Since stories are common with the mothers and daughters who are considered weak, Okonkwo’s self-importance cannot allow him to support these folktales. He prefers that his son, Nwoye, listens to war stories. Okonkwo continues to prove his self-importance by distancing himself from anything that looks weak. Okonkwo likens his son Nwoye to ash which implies emasculation.
Fire is depicted by the author as begetting cold impotent ash (Achebe 142). Okonkwo was famously called the “Roaring Flame,” and as he was looking into the log fire, he recalled his name, “he was a flaming fire” (Achebe 141). Fire is the symbol of potency and a bold life. Later in the novel, the author says, “there was immediate silence as though cold water had been poured on a roaring flame” (Achebe 183). This statement which is a simile also acts as foreshadowing to show that the roaring flame, Okonkwo, will be silenced. The prophecy happens as Okonkwo later hangs himself, which is considered a disgraceful action in Umuofia. The various similes provide a clear description of the theme of pride. Even so, the author utilizes proverbs in the novel.
The Use of Proverbs
The author uses proverbs throughout the novel to highlight Okonkwo’s self-importance. Okonkwo visits Nwakibie, a renowned yam farmer for yams to start his crop. Okonkwo takes that opportunity to talk about his achievements. He tells the farmer that he is not one of the lazy people in the village and even makes it clear that he is different from his father. Okonkwo says “the lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did” (Achebe 25). By the statement he means that he has been able to take care of himself since he was young and thus should be praised. Okonkwo insists that he was productive at a time when young boys are preoccupied with suckling. Nwakibie says that “you can tell a ripe corn by its look” to solidify the claims made by Okonkwo. Such comments work to enhance the pride of Okonkwo as he seeks a journey of self-gain. In the proverb “they called him the little bird nza who so far forgot himself after a heavy meal that he challenged his chi,” the author shows the pride of Okonkwo who ends up challenging his own spirit even though it was unexpected (Achebe 33). The author proceeds to state that Okonkwo had no respect for the gods and that his achievements had filled his ignorant head. Okonkwo cannot admit to his neighbors that he is in the wrong and he insists that he is always in the right. These aspects of self-importance paint a picture of a man who is hardworking but proud. Although Okonkwo has achieved a lot than most of his peers in his age, his pride seems to reflect him more than his achievements. When the author speaks of Okonkwo, the bad aspects, especially his pride tend to cover his achievements.
Conclusion
This essay examines the theme of pride through the protagonist, Okonkwo. The character is filled with sense of self-importance making him consider unguided decisions that eventually lead to his disgrace. The author, Achebe, uses proverbs, similes, rhetorical questions, descriptive and tactile imagery to present the subject of pride in Okonkwo. The author speaks to a broader generation on the disadvantage of pride and how it can lead to the downfall of the greatest people.
Works Cited
Achebe, Chinua. “Things Fall Apart.” New York: Anchor (1958).
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