Okonkwo's Exile Analysis

Before Okonkwo’s exile we see him only in one setting, that of the village Umuofia. After Okonkwo is exiled we see him in a different surrounding and set of mind, he also experiences negative events during his exile which makes him want to move back to his fatherland in haste.

Through the first half of the book Okonkwo is characterised as a strong, rough man who rarely shows outer emotions other than anger. When he is exiled we see a more melancholy side of Okonkwo. In the past he was determined to achieve great things such as titles and wealth so he enjoyed working and farming to reach his goal. But because of his exile Okonkwo is disheartened by losing all that he has worked for and does not enjoy the work anymore as is shown in this passage, “Okonkwo and his family worked very hard to plant a new farm. But it was like beginning life anew without the vigour and enthusiasm of youth, like learning to become left-handed in old age. Work no longer had for him the pleasure it used to have, and when there was no work to do

he sat in a silent half-sleep.” (Achebe 97). It is even remarked by other characters the Okonkwo seemed to grieving his loss, “The old man, Uchendu, saw clearly that Okonkwo had yielded to despair and he was greatly troubled.” (Achebe 97).

During his exile Okwonko successfully rebuilt his wealth and prosperity with his family.

But soon on of his good friends from Umuofia Obierika came to visit. He brought news of white men sighted in another village and that he was killed by the village people. But that action of the village people condemned them as they were wiped out. Soon after this White men showed up in other villages and news of them spreading a new religion were being rumoured. They eventually came to Okonkwo’s mother village and started spreading their religion there. Most of the village people were sceptical of them and did not take heed of their words. Okonkwo reacted rather negatively thinking even of violent ways to be rid of them, “Okonkwo, who only stayed in the hope that it might come to chasing the men out of the village or whipping them…”( Achebe 109). His own son Nwoye became interested in the missionaries and upon hearing that Okonkwo reacted even more

negatively,
“ ‘Where have you been?’ he stammered.
Nwoye struggled to free himself from the choking grip.
‘Answer me,’ roared Okonkwo, ‘before I kill you!’ He seized a heavy stick that lay on the dwarf wall and hit him two or three savage blows.” (Achebe 113). After this event Nwoye left to Umuofia to convert officially into the new religion.
Okonkwo stricken with grief of his loss and the introduction of a new and threatening religion that took away his oldest son felt it seems mostly negative emotions in this section of the book.