... was surprising! I never even thought that Okonkwo would have killed himself. That just seems so low to do, even for his tribe! I thought for sure there would be a rule against it, and there was! The fact that he actually went through with it means alot. I just don't think he could deal with the change, he wasn't made for it. And for once, he actually deliberately went against his own tribe. "It is against our custom" and "It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offense against the Earth..." (Achebe 207) said Obierka. Even though I think it is very wrong for a person to take their own life, I think Okonkwo made the right decision. He just couldn't understand change and it hurt him too much to watch it. If he stayed around he would have caused even more trouble and even more hate. I think he knew his time had come and that he didn't really have a purpose anymore. What really got me though, was what Obierka said at the very end, "That man was one of the greatest men in Umoufia. You drove him to kill himself, and now he will be buried like a dog...' He could not say any more. His voice trembled and choked his words" (Achebe 208). I feel like even though Okonkwo got on my nerves alot, I respect him because he stuck to his beliefs and didn't sell out like the rest of the people, and that is strength to me. I hate that Okonkwo couldn't even have a nice burial because he deserved it. I feel like since Okonkwo broke a rule, the tribe could have broken a rule too and buried own of their own even though he killed himself, it only seems fair.
I actually ended up liking this book more than what I thought I would. It's not one of my favorites, but it most definitely made me think. I'm still wondering what Achebe wanted us to get from this book. Is change good? Or bad? Was the new religion totally out of line or did it have to happen? I hope I can find this out soon and discuss it with my group!
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