Human Nature: Inward Questioning v.s. Outward Conformity Eli Curran-Moore 11th Grade

Okonkwo is a character in Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart” who attempts to conform outwardly while questioning inwardly, although he definitely might not appear to be at first glance. Okonkwo’s inner conflict caused by the tensions of conformity and personal questioning add to the work by demonstrating that in any culture, there are customs which are not wholly accepted, proving, like human nature, no society is perfect and no rule goes unquestioned.

When Okonkwo adops the young boy Ikemefuna, Okonkwo becomes very fond of him. Inwardly, Okonkwo enjoys Ikemefuna’s manliness and his affect on his other son, Nwoye, as Nwoye looks up to Ikemefuna as a more masculine figure and Nwoye attempts to live up to Ikemefuna as a man, something Okonkwo can truly appreciate and openly take pride in. Okonkwo favors Ikemefuna, taking Ikemefuna on journeys with him. Outwardly, however, Okonkwo believes affection to be a weakness, and so shows none of this emotion. When the tribe orders they have decided to kill Ikemefuna after three years of him living with Okonkwo and his family, Okonkwo is conflicted. He truly cares for Ikemefuna, but joins the party which carries out his killing out of feeling the self-induced pressure of conformity...