The fact that Okonkwo brought in a torubled boy who was a former prisoner, shows that Okonkwo wants change in the boys life. He want sot raise him to be respectful and have pride in his actions. After years of living together, he finally refers to Okonkwo as "father". The relationship is pushed from man to boy, to father to son. Okonkwo opened up to him and gave him a better life, and a loving father. Okonkwo promises that he would not be the one to kill his son, as he was asked, but goes ahead and participates in the murder. He not only lied about his actions, he also killed a boy who referred to him as "father".
Okonkwo's actions were unjust. No matter if God told him to kill or have someone kill his son, doesn't make it okay for him to do it. Not only was Ikemefuna a living human being, he was his son who loved his father and took pride in having such a symbolic father. Okonkwo was in the wrong when he killed his son and should be punished for it. I do not believe that just because God tells you do perform an unjust act, it is the right thing to do. Okonkwo shall earn no justice, as his acts were not justified.
Im not a hundred percent sure if we could say whether or not his death was justified. However the parallel that it has with the story of Abraham in the bible, demonstrates the darkness in the society. If you look at the story in the bible Abraham is willing to kill his son however God doesn't allow to do it and stops him, in the book no one really intervenes showing that there is something wrong with their society in a way. But i was a little confused on this section too so i dont think it all had to do with the bible reference however i do think the story of abraham played a huge role in this part of the book.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely agree there is a darkness in society, and the parallel proves it. That is why I do not agree his death was justified.
DeleteI believe it is justified because if his son continues to act up, his son might become a criminal like Ikemefuna which will ruin both their lives. It will ruin both the sons and fathers reputation in the village, making Okonkwo look bad by not knowing how to take care of his children.
ReplyDeleteIn our society, when someone acts up we do not kill them, we teach them to act right. Okonkwo could have changed how his son acted instead of killing him. Their society is very messed up and dark, so I would understand why they would just kill him instead. I still do not agree it is justified to kill your son, no matter what he does.
DeleteI feel that it was justified if you look at it from the tribes standpoint. As in their culture they believe that this is right. But, since the readers don't apply those same cultures we feel that it is not justified. Who are we to tell them that they are wrong.
ReplyDeleteJust because the tribe thinks it is okay, does not mean it is justified. People have lost conviction in Ibo by not standing up to things they believe are morally wrong. They let it slide because the rest of society does and they do not want to feel like an outcast bringing up the bad points. It is unjust to kill your son, no matter where you live or what you practice.
DeleteIn the novel, the people were told that Ikemefuna was to die. I feel that Okonkwo was put in a situation when Ikemefuna ran towards him and Okonkwo had to show that he was not a coward.
ReplyDeleteI think that there is a darkness in the society. The author tries to show that civilization in all of its forms are complex.
ReplyDeleteHis death was definetely not justified in my opinion. Ikemefuna was starting to become like a son to Okonkwo, he bonded with Nwoye and Okonkwo favored him so the idea that his death was justifiable is bizarre to me
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