Ikemefuna Quotes

response, including the page number. Ikemefuna acted as an older brother, and it caused Nwoye to act and feel more grown up.

Nwoye’s sense of identity was challenged by the introduction of Western ideas. The appearance of Christianity made Nwoye question who he really was and what he wanted to live for. The arrival of Ikemefuna was very positive for Nwoye. His presence in the family seems to “kindle” something within Nwoye to help him mature and embrace his masculinity in a way that he wasn’t willing to do so.

Okonkwo cutting down Ikemefuna is the beginning of his downfall and the turning point in his course of events. Ikemefuna is a sacrifice from the neighboring clan, Mbaino, for killing a woman in Umuofia. He’s been living with Okonkwo’s family for three years and Okonkwo is very fond of Ikemefuna despite never showing any affection towards him or anyone else. He treats him as his own son and favors him more than his biological son, Nwoye. Okonkwo adores Ikemefuna because of his manly characteristics.

Okonkwo fears for his disturbingly weak son, Nyowe, and teaches him with his stories- "masculine stories of violence and bloodshed." (p. 53) But Nyowe prefers the stories of his mother- stories which teach wisdom rather than action. Nyowe knows that it pleases his father to listen to his stories, but it is apparent that Nyowe is a thinking person. As Nyowe absorbs the shock of Ikemefuna's death, we feel the first break in the solidarity of the clan. ."Nyowe knew that Ikemefuna had been killed, and something seemed to give way inside him, like the snapping of a tightened bow." (p. 61) Nyowe is forming his own impressions of the rituals of his society.

Okonkwo says in Chapter 17, "Why, he cried in his heart, should he, Okonkwo, of all people, be cursed with such a son? He saw clearly in it the finger of his personal god or chi,". Nwoye, in Okonkwo's view, is just like Unoka, Okonkwo's father, because of his laziness and lack to be "masculine." This goes on for a while until someone named Ikemefuna comes along and changes a lot of things for some time. Ikemefuna is given to Okonkwo as a sacrifice for killing one of the women of Umuofia and in the three years he stays with them he becomes very close to the family.

In Chapter 7 of Things fall Apart by Chinua, the oracle has called for the killing of Ikemefuna, Okonkwo’s adopted son. Chinua Achebe creates tension and creates sympathy for Ikemefuna throughout the novel in numerous ways.

The characters Ikemefuna and Nwoye significantly impacted the plot in the African novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. These two characters both show how young men in Africa can effectively affect their fathers. However, during his lifetime, Nwoye continuously disappointed Okonkwo, while Ikemefuna brought Okonkwo joy until his demise, making them quite important in this novel. Throughout his life, Nwoye worried his father by not being able to fulfill his expectations, which Okonkwo perceived as laziness. Furthermore, when Nwoye grew older he distressed and even separated from his father for another religion. As a result, Okonkwo became furious, yet somber as shown in the following excerpt: “Why, he cried in his heart, should he Okonkwo,

Ikemefuna influenced Nwoye’s actions and thoughts which lead to him becoming more like the son Okonkwo wanted and take up more masculine chores. After staying at Okonkwo’s care

He is just one of the characters that Okonkwo's son, Nwoye, looked up to. Ikemefuna, is the son that Okonkwo wished Nwoye was like. Ikemefuna was a hard worker and dedicated to Okonkwo. Although, Ikemefuna was Okonkwo’s adopted son, Ikemefuna would call Okonkwo father. Ikemefuna did not show any weakness, including when he got sick during the Week of Peace.

            At the beginning of the novel, we find out that Ikemefuna has been given up to the Ibo tribe as a sacrificial compensation in order to prevent a war. Before the council has decided Ikemefuna’s fate, he is sent to live with Okonkwo’s family, and during the period of three years, Ikemefuna

Nwoye is Okonkwo’s eldest son who Okonkwo considers unforgivably emasculate and very much like his father, Unoka. As a child, Nwoye usually receives the brunt of his father’s criticism and remains feeling unwanted. Eventually, Ikemefuna comes to fill that void and Nwoye, in his adoration of his adoptive brother, begins to takes after him. Also In a take strange way, Ikemefuna fills the role of both father and brother for Nwoye, providing him with a peer to share his thoughts and a person to look up to. As Ikemefuna rubs off on Nwoye, Okonkwo begins to find more favor with both of the boys. As a result , the three begin to form an unbreakable bond, or so they thought.

The impact of Ikemefuna’s death on Nwoye is devastating. Something gives way inside of him when he thinks of his father and the killing of Ikemefuna. The fear of his father and the horror over the sacrifice of Ikemefuna separates Nwoye from tribal customs and the sense of community. His family’s banishment isolates him further. Hearing the Christian hymns, which cater to

            At the beginning of the novel, we find out that Ikemefuna has been given up to the Ibo tribe as a sacrificial compensation in order to prevent a war. Before the council has decided Ikemefuna’s fate, he is sent to live with Okonkwo’s family, and during the period of three years, Ikemefuna

In Part I, We learn the story of his father Unoka. He was a complete bum to say the least. He never paid off any of his debts and was just a lazy man. He dies 10 years before the story sets. Okonkwo is like the complete opposite of his father. He’s a successful Yam farmer with 3 wives and is actually able to support his family. One morning, the Umoufia clan announces that one of their daughters was murdered by the Mbaino. This drives Okonkwo to go to war with the other clan. However, they give Okonkwo a peace offering, a virgin girl and a boy, a 15 year old named Ikemefuna. Okonkwo grows attached to boy. Ikemefuna becomes like a bigger brother to Nwoye, one of Okonkwo sons. To Ikemefuna, Okonkwo slowly becomes his own father.

Even though Ikemefuna is beginning to feel comfortable living with Okonkwo, he is a sacrificial offering from the time he's given to Okonkwo. Achebe refers to Ikemefuna as a "doomed, ill-fated lad" since he has been given to Umuofia to atone for murder.