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Questions and Answers
Why do you think Okonkwo committed suicide even though he knew that it was a false action according to their custom?
Why do you think Okonkwo committed suicide even though he knew that it was a false action according to their custom?
He commits suicide because he felt that no one is supporting him and he failed what he believed to 'save' the tribe. Therefore, he faced the greatest fear that he had, which is weakness.
What happened to Okonkwo?
What happened to Okonkwo?
Okonkwo hanged/killed himself on the tree.
Why did Obierika and other men cannot bring Okonkwo's body down from the tree?
Why did Obierika and other men cannot bring Okonkwo's body down from the tree?
Because Okonkwo is considered as an evil spirit since he was an offense against the earth and a person who commits it may not be buried by his clansmen.
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Study Notes
Okonkwo's Suicide
- Okonkwo took his own life as a reaction to the overwhelming sense of failure to support his tribe and uphold its customs.
- His suicide reflects his greatest fear of weakness, as he saw himself unable to "save" his community amidst colonial changes.
Circumstances of Death
- He hanged himself on a tree, a significant act that marks his despair and disconnection from his cultural identity.
Cultural Implications
- Okonkwo's body could not be retrieved by Obierika and other men due to beliefs surrounding evil spirits.
- His act is viewed as an offense against the Earth, symbolizing a breach of cultural and spiritual norms.
- Custom dictates that those who commit such offenses cannot be buried by their clansmen, highlighting the severity of his actions in traditional Igbo society.
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