Okonkwo as a Father
Okonkwo overall has the greatest intentions as a father. Everything he does is to ensure that his children grow with many more opportunities than he had. He works them all hard so that they are strong and build good work ethic. "…Okonkwo did not have the same the start in life which many young men had…inspite of these disadvantages, he had begun even in his father’s lifetime to lay the foundations of a prosperous future." (page 18) With Nwoye, he seems to be slightly disappointed that he may not be turning out just like him. However those around him and us as readers can see that he just hasn't give him enough time. I feel however, that he isn't putting pressure on him because he thinks he's a failure, but because he lives in that constant fear of it. Ezinma appears as is "favorite" child only because he feels secure in her intelligence and bright future that she seems to have coming. Although he comes off as distant from his children, and as if he has no connection to them at all, there are times when his affection and love for them shows slightly even though he'd rather not have his feelings revealed. "Okonkwo was especially fond of Ezinma...But his fondness only showed on very rare occassions." (page 44) The fact that he cared was clearly evident in chapter 11, when he left into the night to seek after Ezinma, who left with Chielo, and Ekwefi who followed. He was truly, at that moment, concerned for his wife and young child. "Okonkwo was feeling tired, and sleepy, for although nobody else knew it, he had not slept all last night. He had felt very anxious but did not show it." (page 112) This quote is in reference to the night the night before following Ezinma and Ekwefi, and it had then been time for him to got to Obierka's. all in all, I think he truly loves his children and is a great father, however shows it in a way that they will be able to better appreciate when they are older. He shows a majority of his affection, through his dedication to their success and individual futures.
2 comments:
I completely agree with your thoughts of Oknonkwo as a father. Although when you talked about Okonkwo's relationship with Nwoye you said "I feel however, that he isn't putting pressure on him because he thinks he's a failure, but because he lives in that constant fear of it." I wasn't sure if you meant that Okonkwo is afraid of failing as a father as his father did, or if you were saying that Okonkwo was afraid of his children failing. I also agree with your thoughts on Okonkwo's relationship with Ezinma. I feel as though Ezinma is Okonkwo's favorite child because she is what he wishes Nwoye would be. Oknonkwo does have good intentions as a father and he does not show his emotions because he wants his children to think he is strong and does not want to be seen as weak in front of them.
I agree that okonkwo only wants what is best for his children and that is why he treats them very harshly. He does this because his childhood was very hard and he never wants them or anyone else to be put into the same position that he was put into. He despises everyone that is lazy including his own father and he does not want his kids to act like him. He feels that his oldest son Nwoye has some of his grandfathers characteristics and this is why he treets him even more harshly. It seems like all of his hatred is for laziness.
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