Characters who, in falling from a great height, allow Adichie and Achebe to construct texts that are essentially tragic. how could this apply to the characters of Okonkwo, and Odenigbo?
Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie are two African authors, whos books are hugely popular. Achebes novel, Things Fall Apart is one of the most popular African novels. The newer novel, Adichies Half of a Yellow Sun has won wide acclaim, and won the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction 2007. Achebe himself is a fan of Half of a Yellow sun, saying, We do not usually associate wisdom with beginners, but here is a new writer endowed with the gift of ancient storytellers.
Both books are 3rd person narratives, which allows for a broader perspective on the novel as a whole, and allows insights into the characters using the omniscient narrator, that we may not get from first person, or epistolary novels. First person novels, for example, only incorporate one point of view, that of the narrator, and any emotions or actions of other characters are expressed only through the experience of the narrator, whereas the third person perspective leaves room for us to experience the thoughts of every character. Also, third person narratives generally give a more balanced overview of the story, as first person narratives are inevitably biased towards the narrator. However, it can limit our understanding of the characters, as we do not have the 'in head' viewpoint that first person or epistolary form can provide.
The books are written from 2 different perspectives, although in the same sort of time period, albeit one beginning and one ending. Achebe sets his novel in pre-colonial Nigeria, and has Okonkwo as the main character and sole perspective for the story. Adichie however, sets her story in the post-colonial 1960s, and takes 3 different perspectives, those of Ugwu (Odinegbos houseboy), Olanna (Odinegbos lover), and Richard (the white lover of Olannas twin sister Kainene). Both book are tragic novels, and follow the traditional formula of a high standing character being brought low. This downfall highlights both the limitations and capacities of the human spirit. Although traditionally, for example in Shakespeare, the characters are from the aristocracy, e.g. a king, here, more ordinary people are used, but who are still very proud, and command a lot of respect. Tragedy seems a very appropriate form to use for these books, as both are set in very turbulent times. The destruction on a much larger scale being played out in Nigeria at the time highlights and counterpoints the downfall of very specific individuals and ideals.
Okonkwo commands great respect in his tribe as a great wrestler and warrior. The first line in the novel tells us this; Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages, and even beyond. this allows Achebe to set him uo as the tragic hero. The man who falls from a great height. He is a very strong character, but in a way, this very strength is his weakness, and brings about his downfall, as he refuses to adapt to the new, colonial regime, and kills himself. He is also afraid to show weakness, as his father was a very weak, unsuccessful man. Okonkwos strength resides mainly in his muscles. He is quick to anger and use violence, and is not good with words. He is unable to display any emotion except anger, because he sees it as weak. Odenigbos strength, conversely, lies mainly in words. He is a highly intelligent man, who likes to argue, and, like Okonkwo, will not back down on something he believes is right. For example, in Olannas narrative, when she describes the first time she meets him, when he shouts at the ticket seller who serves a white man first. No one else cares enough to say anything, but Odinegbo is very angry, calling the ticket seller a miserable ignoramus, and berates him, You see a white man and he looks better than your own people?
Odenigbo's use of the term miserable ignoramus is used a fair amount throughout the novel. This is purposely quite a highbrow Latinate term, which reflects his privileged background. Every glimpse we get of privilege, respect, or pride throughout the novel serves as yet another rung on the metaphorical ladder which both men eventually fall off.
Even when amongst friends, he finds it very hard to accept anyone elses point of view. Okonkwo displays this characteristic a lot as well. For example, in a clan meeting where someone less important disagrees with him, he says, This meeting is for men. However, whilst Odinegbo is usually lauded for these outbursts, Okonkwo is reprimanded, as they are more personal, and uncalled for.
Related to this is Okonkwos inability to display any other emotion than anger. Often he feels something inwardly, but is careful never to let it show. For example, when he beats his wife in the week of peace, it says; Inwardly he was repentant. But he was not the man to go about telling his neighbors he was in error. Or when Ikemefuna has been with him for a while, it says Even Okonkwo himself became very fond of the boy inwardly of course, Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger. To a lesser extent, Odinegbo also does this, but almost in an inversion, for example, when he sleeps with Amala, although he apologizes, he uses a tone that implies that he is not really at fault, and he is just going through the motions of apology to please Olanna. Both Okonkwo and Odinegbo have trouble admitting when they are in the wrong, and often this hurts people around them. In this way, their greatest strengths become their greatest weaknesses as the situation changes.
One of the main differences between the two men, is the times and cultures that they come from. Although from the same country, Okonkwo lives in pre-colonial Nigeria, whilst Odinegbo lives in the 1960s. This means that a lot of the culture has changed. By the 1960s, except in the small villages, the old tribal religions had all but died out, to be replaced by Christianity, Islam, or atheism. The tribes, (Ibo, Yoruba and Ibibio) still exist, and hold a very strong significance for the people. Many of the ceremonies as well, for example, weddings and courtship are much the same. However, the British are still there, and colonialism has left its mark. The cities resemble western towns, with a university, modern houses and conveniences etc. modern medicine has largely replaced natural and spiritual remedies, although tribal doctors (Dibia), still exist, and indeed, at the end of the book, Olanna turns to one in search of her sister. The government has also changed, the tribes are no longer self-ruled, but there is now a government. This brings me on to my next point. Okonkwo is happy with how things are. He is a fervent believer in traditions and when change comes, he is unprepared, and unable to accept it. He can accept anything from the old way of doing things, because he is comfortable with that way of life, which is why he can survive even banishment. However, when the white men arrive, bringing a new regime, he breaks down. Odenigbo, conversely, is unhappy with the system as it stands, and fights for change. He is very happy when change finally happens, and when the succession fails, he is demoralized.
Therefore, although for different reasons, the downfall of both men is precipitated by change. For Okonkwo he cannot handle change, and that brings him down, but in Odinegbos case, he is brought down by the failure of change. If the revolution had not occurred, he could have continued as he was, but the excitement of the revolution, and then its failure is too much for him, and he breaks down. And therefore, once again, we see that the strengths of these men are turned on them. Okonkwo's inflexible will snaps, as he cannot comprehend or accept the new regime, and Odenigbo's fiery, revolutionary spirit is broken by the failure of the new country of Biafra.
Another source of anxiety for both men is children. Okonkwo has many children, but his 2nd wife, Ekwefi, has had 10 pregnancies, and all have died, except the last; Ezinma. Therefore, both Ekwefi and Okonkwo attach a special significance to her. She is Okonkwos favorite child, and he often wishes she had been a boy. Odenigbo and Olanna are unable to have children. This is a source of constant worry to Olanna, as she blames herself, and Odenigbo worries about Olanna. Therefore, when Amala has a child with Odenigbo, Olanna decides to keep it. Like Ekwefi, she worries constantly about the child, and is very frightened if something happens.
Both books are divided into sections, dealing with different times and places throughout the story. In Things Fall Apart, the story is dived into 3 sections. The first set in Umuofia, where Okonkwo lives, and leads up to his banishment. The second section takes place in Mbanta, Okonkwos mother village, and where he has been banished to, and the 3rd section takes place in Umuofia, after the white men have come.
This helps to categorize the 3 stages in the book. The set up, where the tribe and Okonkwo are introduced, and explained; the 2nd section, where Okonkwo is banished, the missionaries arrive, and change starts to happen. This is where Okonkwo is set up for his downfall; and the 3rd section, back in Umuofia, where we see Okonkwo fail to make a difference, and ultimately commit suicide. The 3 sections allow us to see the change in Nigerian culture, and also observe it's effects close up through the experiences of Okonkwo.
Half of a Yellow Sun is in 4 sections, sections one and three are set in the early 60s, and the second and forth deal with the late 60s. This jumping back and forth between times has quite a powerful effect, and is a literary device known as 'Time Shift'. Allowing us to see first the bright, optimistic Odenigbo, compared to the starkness and horror of the sections dealing with the war, and switching constantly between the two allows the full irony to take effect. If we see the happy Odenigbo, knowing already that he will descend into self destruction creates a powerful effect.
Another thing that binds the characters of Okonkwo and Odinegbo is that they are both forced to flee their homes, although again, for different reasons. Okonkwo is banished, as he kills a clansman, and Odinegbo is forced to leave by the threat of war, and the safety of his family. This situation is worse for Odinegbo, as he goes from relative wealth, to living in poverty. For Okonkwo, although banishment is a blow to him, still has much of his wealth, and a large compound, and friends around him. Also, Okonkwo knows he can return home after 7 years, whereas Odinegbo has no guarantee of this, and in the end, never does return home.
Whilst in exile, both their worlds are turned upside down, Okonkwos by the arrival of the white missionaries, and Odinegbos by civil war. Okonkwo, for the first time finds himself helpless, and also his son joins the Christians, which leaves him questioning his manliness, that he could produce such a weak son. living fire begets cold, impotent ash. Then, when he returns home and finds it run by the white men, and once again powerless, he snaps, and ends up committing suicide, ironically an abomination to the very traditions he tried so hard to uphold. He is made unimportant and inconsequential by the new regime, cannot take the role reversal, and cannot understand why he is suddenly powerless. Odinegbo does not kill himself, but the transformation is no less complete. From the fiery, vocal idealist at the beginning of the book, he is humbled by the war, turns to drink and despair, and in Ugwus dedication in his book; For master, my good man the role reversal is complete, the servant has become the master, and vice versa.
Ugwu's comment is also slightly ambiguous. Does it imply forgiveness, that essentially he was a good man, or is it an even more tragic ending, to emphasise his loss of power to his former servant?
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