Things Fall Apart-Chapter 5

Okonkwo feels that anger is the only emotion he should convey in order to maintain his masculinity. Because of this he beats up his wives and sometimes even threatens them. This is shown when he beats his second wife, Ekwefi, when his anger gets the best of him. He beat her up over a small issue regarding who cut the leaves of a banana tree. He used the tree as an “outlet” (38) and as an excuse because he had nothing better to do. He then decided to go hunting, but just before he left he received a remark from Ekwefi. She mentioned about “guns that never shot” (39) which caused Okonkwo to lose his temper. Okonkwo is trying so hard to be different from his father that he will go to any extent to prove his masculinity. Because of this, he avoids his true feelings by being overly aggressive and impatient. Why does Okonkwo act this way? Is he trying to prove something to others or to himself?