Okonkwo

Okonkwo is presented as a renowned, physically imposing warrior famed for defeating Amalinze the Cat and as a wealthy, ambitious farmer with multiple titles and wives. Okonkwo is tasked to care for Ikemefuna, receives a boy and virgin from Mbaino, and detailed his household and inner fear of resembling his father. Okonkwo, son of Unoka, inherits no barn, works for Nwakibie, receives 800 seed yams, endures a disastrous drought and flood year, and vows to survive any hardship. Okonkwo displays harshness, takes Ikemefuna under his care, breaks the Week of Peace by beating Ojiugo, and performs prescribed atonement. Okonkwo displays discomfort at the feast, beats his wife, attempts to shoot her, offers a sacrifice, and attends the wrestling match Okonkwo attended the wrestling match and reacted to Maduka's victory Okonkwo follows the Oracle’s decree, kills Ikemefuna, beats his son Nwoye and disregards Ezeudu’s counsel. Okonkwo mourns Ikemefuna's death, drinks palm-wine for days, reflects on his weakness, visits Obierika, discusses the Oracle, plans to tap his palm trees, and worries about his sons' masculinity. Okonkwo sleeps for the first time in three nights, gathers herbs for the ibâ illness, confronts Ekwefi about the medicinal pot, threatens to beat Ezinma, and observes the digging for the iyi‑uwa. Okonkwo hears Chielo's prophecy, pleads with her to wait until morning, attempts to protect his daughter, uses his snuff bottle, and later pursues Chielo after she disappears. Okonkwo did not sleep the previous night, felt anxious, searched for the priestess at the shrine twice, and asked who will prepare his afternoon meal. Okonkwo's gun explodes, killing Ezeudu's son, forcing him into exile for seven years and prompting his flight to Mbanta. Okonkwo, now in exile at Mbanta, receives land, builds a new compound, installs his personal god, and begins a new farm with seed-yams from Uchendu’s sons, reflecting on aging and destiny. Okonkwo receives a large sum of cowries from Obierika and hosts guests, listening to stories about Abame. Remains in exile at Mbanta, avoids discussing his son Nwoye's conversion, and shows indifference to missionaries. Rages over Nwoye’s defection and contemplates violent retaliation against the missionaries. Okonkwo prepares to leave exile, sends money for huts, plans a feast, and reflects on cultural duties. Okonkwo reflects on his loss of status during exile and outlines grand plans for his return, including rebuilding his compound, initiating his sons into the ozo society, and attaining the highest title, while expressing regret that his daughter Ezinma is a girl. Okonkwo returns to Umuofia after exile and finds the village transformed by trade, Christianity, and colonial administration; his daughters attract suitors, he cannot yet initiate his sons into ozo, and he mourns the clan’s loss of warrior spirit. Okonkwo feels a rare happiness, warns his peers to be armed, attends the District Commissioner's meeting, is handcuffed, imprisoned and mistreated, and later participates in the village decision to raise a fine of 250 cowries. Okonkwo reflects on his treatment in the white man's court, swears vengeance, and resolves to fight if the clan decides on war. Okonkwo’s hanging body is described, highlighting customs around suicide and burial.