My son has recently read in class, Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe. He has an upcoming test. One of the items will be about, "Why Okonkwo killed the messenger and then hung himself." He is stumped on this. I obviously would not have enough time ot read the book in time to help him with his answer for the test. If someone has any input, I would be able to help coach his answer....Please reply. Thank you very much!
First of all, it's important to remember the major divisions of this book. In the first (longest) part, the author has done a thorough job making sure we understand how this village and others in their clan functioned -- their religion, their justice system, their family relationships, their economic system, etc. -- all before any Europeans showed up. Then Okonkwo (one of the highest ranking men in the village) kills a boy and has to pay a price -- exile for seven years for him, his wives, and children, all his houses and possessions in the village are destroyed.
Then the story transitions to Okonkwo's exile in his mother's village. During this time one of his close friends from his own village visits him regularly and lets him know what's happening in the village. Most of it is bad news -- and all this is very upsetting to this extremely traditional and quite violent man.
Finally the seven years are up, and he and his family move back to the village, but everything is different. The Europeans' influence (both church and military) has changed everything, and the village elders don't seem to have the will or the means to stand up to the Europeans. Okonkwo is outraged; he cannot live under these conditions.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/things/
Be sure to read the analysis of Okonkwo's character in this summary.
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In the book "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo's decision to kill the messenger and then hang himself is a significant and complex act. It reflects the deep despair and anguish he feels as a result of the changes brought upon his village and his inability to cope with the loss of his traditional way of life.
To understand why Okonkwo takes such drastic actions, it's important to have a good understanding of his character and the events that lead up to this moment. Okonkwo is a proud and fiercely traditional man, deeply committed to upholding the values and customs of his Igbo clan. He is driven by a desire to be successful and avoid the failures of his father.
When the Europeans arrive in his village and begin to exert their influence, it disrupts the social fabric and undermines the authority of the village elders. This challenges Okonkwo's sense of identity and his position within the clan. He sees the Europeans as a threat to his way of life and is filled with anger and frustration.
The killing of the messenger is an act of defiance against the Europeans and a desperate attempt to regain control and assert his power. It reflects Okonkwo's belief in the importance of maintaining his honor and the honor of his clan.
However, Okonkwo's act of violence only serves to further isolate him. The other villagers do not support his actions, and the village elders are hesitant to confront the Europeans directly. Okonkwo realizes that he has become powerless and that his efforts to resist the changes are futile.
Feeling utterly defeated, Okonkwo ultimately makes the tragic decision to take his own life. This final act is a reflection of his deep despair, his inability to adapt to the new reality, and his belief that there is no hope for a future that aligns with his traditional values.
It's important for your son to carefully consider these aspects of Okonkwo's character and the impact of the changing cultural landscape on his mindset. By doing so, he would be able to provide a thoughtful and nuanced answer on why Okonkwo killed the messenger and then hung himself.