"Change: How do Individuals in TFA deal with it?"Instance of Change: White Missionaries preach about their religionHow he deals with Change: Shrugs it off. Went back to his usual life (Went away to tap his afternoon palm-wine) without any regard of what had occurred. Does not care about the new religion nor the white missionaries at all. This shows of his disregard and ignorance of the threat that it could potentially pose to Umuofia. To Okonkwo, the white missionaries are of complete inexistence and are not worth his effort which hints of Okonkwo’s self centeredness. He discards all concern of the new religion and doesnot pay attention to them anymore after dismissing them.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: People changing their religion to being ChristiansHow he deals with Change: In the story, Okonkwo deals with this change by being violent as he kills one of the white men that is in his view, trying to take over the whole village by spreading their religion of Christianity. He finds their religion illogical as it is different from what he believes in. To make the the village realise their mistake in believing the white men, he tries every way to persuade them from going into Christianity and to his last resort, he killed the one of the white men.Character discussed: OkonkwoHow he deals with the change: Unable to accept and admit it, resorts to violence and suicide.Okonkwo is unable to deal with the change that has happened in Umuofia, his own homeland, which he actually thought of as a manly clan. At the end of chapter twenty-one, it was stated that, “Okonkwo was deeply grieved. And it was not just a personal grief. He mourned for the clan, which he saw breaking up and falling apart, and he mourned for the warlike men of Umuofia, who had unaccountably become so soft like women.” It shows that in his perspective, everyone has changed to become so weak, and womenlike, which he despises. However, he does not self reflect on how he has changed to become someone so stubborn and blind that he finds fault at others without looking at himself. In this chapter, it is shown that he strongly believes that the failure of a grand return to his homeland is because of the Christian missionaries’ invasion into the Igbo tribe. Yet, it is not the case. He does not think whether it is his long exile of seven years that the people of Umuofia has long forgotten him. It is stated in the beginning of chapter twenty that “Seven years was a long time to be away from one’s clan. A man’s place was not always there, waiting for him. As soon as he left, someone else rose and filled it. The clan was like a lizard, if it lost its tail it soon grew another.” It shows that no matter how powerful a clan leader was, such as Okonkwo, he cannot rule the clan if he is somewhere far away, not to mention seven years. Also, he was unable to admit that the Christian missionaries were gaining strength in Mbanta, when he knew that Nwoye was to join the Christians, he blew his top and almost killed him. In the seventeenth chapter, when Nwoye when into Okonkwo’s obi to salute him, he strangled Nwoye, and beat him heavily with a stick that he had laid on the dwarf floor. In the twenty-third chapter, it was stated that Okonkwo said that the six men could have killed the white man if they had listened to him, and when the messenger heard it, he hit each

man six blows on the head and the back, but Okonkwo did not retaliate, and suppressed his anger. With reference to the fourth chapter, where he had hit Ojiugo heavily despite it was the week of peace, it shows that he is unable to deal with the fact that he has to obey the Christians’ order instead of doing what he wants to do and will usually do, like kill the messenger. He probably vented his anger on killing the messenger later in the book in chapter twenty-four by using his matchet. It was shown that his action was in fact, unnecessary, “He heard voices asking, “Why did he do it?”In addition, at the end of the book, his sudden suicide was because he could to take the fact that Umuofia was changing into a village that was leaning toward Christianity as its religion, and they were, to him, becoming weaker and more womenlike, which he despised. It was however, only him, that felt this way, as he had fallen to the bottom, unlike those days when he was highly regarded. He finally realized that for a man to fail alone, is the worst feeling, and it was from his father, someone he had hated since young, and Okonkwo himself could no longer bear it, and committed suicide to end his misery.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: Forced to leave tribeHow he deals with Change: Frustrated, as he wanted to become a powerful and successful man in the tribe, yet he is being exiled.His exile also upsets him because it forces him to spend time in a “womanly” place. He remains unwilling to admit that he has a 'feminine' side. He is also bitter and resentful, as he feels a sense of despondency, and that his 'bright future' is gone. He is afriad that he will become like his father, Unoka, with no achievements and was poor. He regards being powerless as 'unmanly'. Okonkwo works on his new farm and house, but with less enthusiasm than he had when he was in his own tribe.Character discussed: Nwoye

Instance of Change: Nwoye starts believing in the Christian believes

How he deals with Change:

Initially, under the influence of Ikemefuna, Nwoye was eager to please Okonkwo. He wanted to show Okonkwo that he was manly and masculine. This can be seen in Chapter 7 when Nwoye would sit with Okonkwo in the obi. He would listen to Okonkwo as he told masculine stories of violence and bloodshed. Although he preferred the stories that his mother used to tell, those of life and morals, he hid it from Okonkwo as he wanted to make his father proud. He would also feign annoyance and grumble aloud about women and their troubles. As he knew that was what his father wanted to hear. Nwoye at that time knew that it was right to be masculine and violent. Thus even though he disagreed, he kept it to himself.

Nwoye was faced with Change when the Christian missionaries came to Mbanta, where Nwoye was staying, to try to convert the villages to their faith. Nwoye accepted the change. To him, this was an outlet to his initial believes. The Christian faith gave him a new alternative for his initial believes of masculinity and violence. He welcomes the

Change and does not resist it. As he had always kept his true feelings to himself, converting gave him a way to truly be able to express his believes without being mocked by the villagers.

However, Nwoye still feared Okonkwo, hence his Change was gradual. He dared not go too near to the missionaries for fear of his father’s wrath and temper. But he still welcomed the Change. As such, he would go and listen to the missionaries’ stories from afar. After welcoming and accepting the Change, he finally made a commitment to the Change.

The commitment that Nwoye made to Change was to disobey Okonkwo’s wishes. When Nwoye returned home one day, Okonkwo flew into a rage as he suspected Nwoye of going to the missionaries. He was even going to choke Nwoye. At that time, Nwoye finally gathered up the courage to make his feelings known to Okonkwo. He left Okonkwo. The act of him leaving was his commitment to his new believes. His father symbolized the beliefs of the villagers, that men were masculine and violent. By leaving, Nwoye showed that he disagreed with those believes, thus Changing.

In conclusion, Nwoye Changed when he fully accepted the Christian believes and left his father. The reason about his Change was most likely due to his feelings accumulated over the years. He disagreed with his father’s ideas of masculinity and violence, but had not dared to make his feelings known, thus going with the village’s and his father’s believes. However, the Christian missionaries who had been consistent in actively believing in their beliefs and going against the villagers’ traditional believes gave inspiration and motivation to Nwoye. He saw that it was okay for him to be like the Christian missionaries. The missionaries gave him a chance to finally be himself and believe in what he would like to believe in. hence, Nwoye accepts and commits himself to Change.

character discussed: Nwoyeinstance of change: He was puzzled by the appearance of the missionaries and their religion,and soon became one of them. (whole of chapter 16) how he deals with change: (chapters 16 and 17) Unlike Okonkwo, Nwoye changes gradually, until the point when Okonkwo hits him. He changes by degree, and does not show it openly to his family or friends,so it is not obvious. Nwoye first started showing signs of change when Ikemefuna was killed by his father, as "something seemed to give way inside of him, like the snapping of a tightened bow." (page 54) Nwoye's change is also mostly internal, in terms of his thoughts and feelings, and he seldom expresses it through his actions, unlike his father. This is why even when he became one of the missionaries, none of his family or friends knew about it until Obierika spotted him among them.

When the white man and his followers first appeared, Nwoye was curious, and wanted to find out more about these people and their religion. He is open to change, and is willing to understand it first, before deciding whether to accept it or reject it. This is unlike Okonkwo, who immediately deems the white man and his followers as mad men, and their religion as a disease that will tear their tribe apart. Because he was curious, Nwoye often went and listened to them preach whenever he had the chance. He listened to them so many times that he even knew some of the simple stories they told. When Mr Kiaga announced that they had built a church and wanted the people to come in and worship God, Nwoye went. However, he contemplated whether or not to enter as he paced outside the doors of the church. Here, he shows clear signs that he is confused by the change. He wants to accept the white man's religion but is afraid of betraying his own religion and his father. In the end, he gives in to his fear and returns home. Note that Nwoye is so afraid of Okonkwo punishing him that he does all these behind Okonkwo's back. When he returns home, Okonkwo has found out about what his son has been doing behind his back, and he is so consumed with anger that he proceeds to strangle his son, before he even confirms that what his cousin told him was true. He demands to know where Nwoye has been, probably to assure himself that his son was not with the christians, however Nwoye cannot even breathe, much less speak. This leads to Okonkwo hitting him with a stick. When his father stopped hitting him because of Uchendu's command, Nwoye walked away from home and made up his mind once and for all, to accept the change the white man had brought and become one of them by joining their school and being educated by them. Nwoye has changed, and become a young boy that does what he believes is best for him, without the fear of his father's disapproval. He is no longer the boy that only does things that are "manly" to impress his father and gain his approval. Christianity provided an opportunity for Nwoye to break free from his father's shadow and finally live the way he wants and be respected for it. This new religion welcomed all and there was no discrimination against anyone, not even the outcasts of the tribe, much less Nwoye,who was considered "womanly". Nwoye had found a place where he could do as he wished and not be mocked for being "womanly", where he could be himself. Thus, Nwoye took the chance that this change gave him, and he left his home where he was constantly chided for being "womanly", and joined their school. Nwoye initially rejected the change for fear of his father's disapproval, but in the end, he accepted it and became a part of it despite his father's violent objection. He joined the Christians because they accepted him for who he truly was, something he knew his father would never be able to do.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: The gathering where the members of the tribe discussed about the Christians being too much.

How he deals with Change: He makes his own decision beforehand before he attends the gathering. He was determined to get his way no matter what. Hence, when the whites (Christians) came to stop the gathering, he beheaded the man. He rejects the change. When he does, he would do anything to get his point across, especially by action. He is a man who is hard on himself and would rather action than talk. Just like what he had said at the gathering ground, ‘men are no more’. This line shows his discontentment to the change the way the tribe dealt with controversial issues. He preferred how the tribe had dealt with things in the past, getting head on into a battle and showing their power through violence. Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: when Okonkwo killed Ezeudu’s son (pg 109)How he deals with Change: Okonkwo had given up. After Okonkwo fled from the clan, he went to his mother’s kinsmen for shelter. Okonkwo well received by his mother’s kinsmen. Yet, he refused to tell them the reason why he was exiled. It took him a day for him to bring forth the truth to his mother’s kinsmen. This shows that Okonkwo was still in denial that he had been exiled. He had turned from a successful lord of his clan to an exile just because he accidentally killed a boy. He was in self-denial of the truth and therefore angry at the world for treating him badly. It is observed that Okonkwo took many lives in his lifetime. Earlier in the story, Okonkwo had killed Ikemefuna, a boy whom he eventually grew fond of and loved. Ikemefuna was a good boy. Yet, he was killed by Okonkwo who held on to his pride and did not want to be thought weak. It is also observed that he was not punished for this as it was his god’s wish. This time, he had killed a boy whom he was not close to at all. This time, it caused him to be exiled. This time, his killing had affected his life in a way he hated. It is funny how Okonkwo could be condemned for killing a boy he did not know and not be exiled for killing a boy he loved. It was ironic as this was also the only life he took and paid dearly for doing so. When Okonkwo had gone to Mbanta, he had lost all his vigour of building a reputation for himself. Without his clan, he felt like a broken man. All his life, he had believed in his strength and power, and depended on those to become successful. Now that he’s older, he no longer had the strength to work hard again. Okonkwo had given up too easily. It can be inferred from the story that Okonkwo had not worked hard during his stay in Mbanta. Sure, he did harvest and farm, but he did not work hard. He, in a way, had a very annoying mindset that he could not achieve anything when not in his clan, Umuofia. Okonkwo thus gave up after Ezeudu’s son’s death.Character Discussed:Okonkwo Instance of change: When he is starting out his exile in his motherland How he deals with change: He is unable to accept the fact that the clan exiled him and to him it was like starting a new life anew without vigor and enthusiasm of youth. Work no longer appealed as much to him and when there was no work, he sat in a silent half-sleep. He lost his goal in life, which was to become one of the lords of the clan. He was very close to his goal when he was exiled from the clan and he fell into despair as he thought that his “chi” was not meant to do great things. He quickly falls in to despair due to the fact that he sees his life as empty and hollow, without purpose. He thinks that his chi is saying no despite the fact that he is saying yes. He is unable to understand

his fate in life and why he must end up exiled from his own clan instead of striving forward to achieve his goalsCharacter discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: Nwoye joins the Christians.

How he deals with Change: When Okonkwo had heard of Nwoye being among the Christians, he had been overcome with fury. He could not accept the fact that Nwoye had joined the Christians. As soon as Nwoye returned home, Okonkwo had responded violently and lashed out at Nwoye. He strangled Nwoye, had beaten Nwoye with a heavy stick and threatened to kill Nwoye. Okonkwo then allows Nwoye to leave home.

Why he acted that way: I personally feel that Okonkwo had acted this way as he had been shocked by Nwoye joining the Christians. He never would have expected that Nwoye would go against his beliefs against the Christians and he felt betrayed by his own son. Feeling enraged, Okonkwo had acted instinctively and was rash to attack Nwoye, hoping that he would be able to beat some sense into Nwoye. Okonkwo did not understand that his son had different views from him. He thought that the Christians were mad and crazy. However, Nwoye saw Christianity differently, he had been captivated by the new religion.It seemed that Okonkwo had also been disappointed in Nwoye. He had hoped that Nwoye would understand and respect his view on the Christians. He wanted Nwoye to grow up to be more like him, a famous man in Umuofia, instead of ending up resembling his good for nothing father, Unoka. He may have beaten Nwoye to hide his disappointment, thinking that emotions would make him seem weak. However, as Okonkwo sighed repeatedly when he thought about Nwoye, it showed how disappointed he really was.

Resulted in: Nwoye left the house and went back to the church to tell Mr. Kiaga that he had decided to go to Umuofia, never to return to Okonkwo. Okonkwo's and Nwoye's relationship had been ruined by this. Nwoye, who had once looked up to and had always wanted to please Okonkwo, now turned his back on Okonkwo and had even told Obierika that "He is not my father." Okonkwo was also very disappointed with Nwoye. He had thought that Nwoye resembled his father, Unoka, who Okonkwo despised. It seems that Okonkwo felt that Nwoye was an embarrassment, feeling that he had begotten a woman for a son, and did not want to speak of Nwoye with Obierika. Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of change: Okonkwo cannot adapt to the change of Ikemefuna’s death. After he returns home, Okonkwo eats nothing and drinks palm wine for days and nights on end, until “his eyes were red and fierce like the eyes of a rat when it was caught by the tail and dashed against the floor.” He cannot stop thinking about Ikemefuna, and there is no work to distract him, because this is a period of rest before the next planting season. Okonkwo must have noticed the change in his don, Nwoye: something inside

him had given way, “like the snapping of a tightened bow”. Okonkwo knows and feels he had done something terribly wrong. In a crucial moment, his fears had dominated his obligations to his tribe, his family, and Ikemefuna. Okonkwo’s depression suggests he understood the gravity of his situation. In the months after he killed Ikemefuna, Oknokwo shows signs of compassion and care, even tenderness. For example when his daughter becomes very ill, he prepares her medicine and makes sure she takes it. When his daughter is carried away late one night by the priestess of the Oracle of the Cave, her mother follows the priestess, and okonkwo follows them all. He meets his wife outside the cave, and tears of gratitude fill her eyes when Okonkwo appears. They stand there together, outside the cave, for the rest of the night, until their daughter is freed.Soon after, Okonkwo and the other village elders gather for a funeral. At the height of the ceremony, with drums beating furiously and guns firing in the air, Okonkwo’s weapon explodes and a piece of the metal kills a young man. Banishment for seven years is the penalty for killing a clansman by accident. Okonkwo now has seven long years to reflect on his life. He spends his days farming and his nights feeling sorry for himself. Okonkwo’s entire world is now in a flux, but he remains inflexibly himself. His rigidity contrasts sharply with almost everyone else in his new village and in Umuofia. They have the courage to confront and consider the new ways of living and the changes surrounding them. Some, like Nwoye, choose new paths in life, others adopt new practices and others affirm their original beliefs. Okonkwo remains stuck. His moral code is fixed; if anything, his self-pity isolation, and anger entrench his values and principles more deeply. While all is swirling around him, Okonkwo holds to a fixed view: the traditional ways are the true ways, those who think differently are wrong and weak, and his strength and tenacity will see him through.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: Being exiled to his motherland, MbantaHow he deals with Change: When Okonkwo know that his entire family was to be sent to Mbanta to live for a whole seven years he was devastated. It was going to be a change in lifestyle, status and people."but it was like the beginning life anew". He has to adapt and everything has to start from scratch, building houses, working, making friends, gaining a reputation and one who had everything but lost everything just like Okonkwo, was extremely bitter about it. and towards this change in his life, how did he choose to deal with it?"without the vigour and enthusiasm of youth, like learning to become left-handed in old age" Okonkwo could not accept the sad truth that he was no longer in control, powerful and superior in his clan and that such a misery has come down on him. he refuses to to accepts it and can no longer find a NEW motivation to start from the bottom and climb his way up. he has lost his hope and his belief that when "a man said yes his chi says yes also". Instead, he now has a negative thinking that "his chi was not meant for great things". people choose to believe what they want to believe and Okonkwo chose to believe that life in Mbanta could never be as incredible as life in Umuofia, the manliness and glory he feels when he fights and the booming reputation he once had as a strong fighter, "this was a womanly clan, he thought. Such a thing could never happen in his fatherland, Umuofia". And his beliefs lead to his actions

which is "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". he decides to live his life, day by day and just do the bare necessary to keep alive and lead a normal life there. He kept away his aspirations, his burning passion to be "lord of the clan" was gone. he had no hope for his future, he did things not to his best like last time but just in a slipshod way for he had nothing to look forward to. he wallowed in self pity throughout too. "you think you are the greatest sufferer in the world", this is what Uchendu had said to Okonkwo. Okonkwo did not pick himself up from where he was, he gave up on himself without even trying to start anew. he was stubborn and had a fixed mindset that it was unfair that this happeneed to him when many other worse things happen to ther people too. his situation is not the worst of all, yet there are some who are able to stay positive and make the best out of what they have but he is not one of them. he chooses to stay at the bottom thinking :"why must this happen to ME out of all people? why not others?" and never thinking of " i should not give up because my situation is temporary, it is only when i give up that is becomes permanent". therefore, he did not climb up again.Character discussed: Okonkwo Instance of Change: Being exiledHow he deals with Change: At first, he was disappointed and was upset, for he had lost everything he had in life before -- His rank in the clan, which was his lifelong goal, his wealth, his home, everything. As he kept thinking about what he had lost, he lost the passion he had before, the passion to work, as he did not have any more dreams. Although he worked very hard in his motherland to build up a new farm, it was just for the sake of having a farm to sustain his family there. However, as time goes by, he starts to prepare to build up a compound in his fatherland-Umuofia. Also, even at the end of the seven years, he felt that the seven years spent in Mbanta was a waste, and regretted every day of the seven years, thinking that he would have become very powerful in Umuofia if he was in Umuofia for the past seven years. Thus, we can see that, he was not able to adapt to the change of having to settle down in a different clan, and only kept thinking about making a comeback in his fatherland. His mindset of his fatherland being the strongest did not change either, as he never failed to compare his fatherland with other clans. For example, "Although he had prospered in his motherland Okonkwo knew that he would have prospered even more in Umuofia.", and when Okonkwo saw that the people of Mbanta tried to act as if they did not know a thing when one of them offended the gods, for fear of being punished together with him, he felt, "This was a womanly clan, he thought, Such a thing could never happen in his fatherland, Umuofia.". It never came across his mind that, when he was in Mbanta, others are constantly climbing up in Umuofia, hence after his exile when he returned, he would have no power, yet he kept clinging on his hopes on Umuofia.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: A new life in Mbanta To aid Okonkwo in beginning his life anew, he was given a plot of ground on which to build his compound, and two or three pieces of land on which to farm during the coming

planting season. Okonkwo built himself an obi and three huts for his wives, then installed his personal god and the symbols of his departed fathers. Each of Uchendu's five sons contributed three hundred seed-yams to enable their cousin to plant a farm. How he deals with change: After the unfortunate incident, Okonkwo had to flee from the clan, leaving behind all that he had achieved. He was only able to bring a small portion of what he had grown and possessed. The titles, which were his pride, that he had worked hard for was gone. He returned to his motherland, as someone who had nothing to his name, someone who had no title or authority. He had to start his life anew, and it was a long road ahead. Okonkwo did not deal well with his misfortune because of his pride. He was upset and demoralized, ashamed of himself as he became an unsuccessful man with no title, just like his father. Okonkwo was reluctant and indignant. Despite the warm welcome he received from people of his motherland, Okonkwo was slightly resentful. He did not show his gratitude to those who helped him start his life anew. Being in his motherland meant that he was relying on a woman, which was his mother. This made Okonkwo feel useless, and femine, just like his father whom greatly relied on his wife. Not only was Okonkwo angry at his misfortune, he was angry at everyone else. However, Okonkwo never once showed any regret of what he did. He was not one who looks back at what he has done, or one who admits his mistakes. At this point, we see that Okonkwo felt slightly helpless. Unlike his driven past, Okonkwo obediently abided and left the clan. He was unable to reverse the situation and showed no resistance to his fate. When he worked on building his new farm, he did it without the vigour of youth. All that he could do was to start anew and work hard from scratch, all over again. This showed that he was in denial, still unable to fully come to terms with reality, forced to work.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: Strength of Umofia weakensHow he deals with Change: Saddened by the fact his clansman are joining the church, including worthy man such as Ogbuefi Ugonna, a man with two titles. He was also shocked that Umofia was getting lord over by outsiders, the white people, and not taking action towards them, unlike in the past where a war would be waged. Uable to accept Umofia's fall of strength, Okonkwo ultimately commits sucide.Character discussed: Nwoye

Instance of change: The arrival of the missionaries

How he deals with change: Though he was confused, he was captivated by the poetry of the new religion. He thought of Ikemefuna, who was dead and the twins who had to be banished from the village due to the village's customs, crying in the bush, and wondered if this new religion could be the solution to these problems. He was accepting this change, the arrival of the missionaries and perhaps, the new religion that he was beginning to understand. Nwoye was attracted to this new faith, but he kept it secret, as he knew that his father would not be able to tolerate his decision in this matter. He was curious, and wanted to go near, but dared not go too near the missionaries for fear of his father. But whenever the missionaries went to the open market place or the village playground, Nwoye was there. And one day he finally plucked up his courage to go to the church, and be among the Christians. He fought with his father over this, and left his father due to him not being able to accept another religion in his family. Though he was on his own now, he was happy. Nwoye was determined, to return to his mother, brothers and sisters and convert them to a new faith.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of change: has to leave his village to live with his mother’s kinsmen as he accidentally killed a manHow he deals with change: he did not like the fact that he had to live in his motherland, he lost his drive to be an accomplished person. He spends his time in a silent half-sleep when he doesn’t have any work to do. Okonkwo’s uncle, Uchendu, talked to him together with Okonkwo’s cousins, after the talk about how ‘Mother is Supreme’ he accepted the fact he had to live there till his time of exile was over and also he had to look after his family. He was amount of suffering was not as great compared to some other people so he still worked till the time he could go back to Umuofia instead of just giving up and dying in his motherland. Instance of Change: Ikemefuna was sent to live with Okonkwo, leaving his family from another village. Ikemefuna was asked to be sent back after 3 years. How character deals with Change: Ikemefuna was sad and afraid to be sent away from his own village to Umuofia as he had no idea what was going to happen to him. He was kept in the dark the whole while and had no idea how his father was involved in the killing of the Umuofian woman. He was only twelve when he got sent away and for a small boy like him, it much of a confusing period for him, especially when he has to live with a family that was not your family. Initially, when Ikemefuna started living with Okonkwo and his family, he would refuse to eat. Okonkwo would then use a stick to beat him if he defied orders of eating. After a while of getting used to, Ikemefuna made a place for himself there. He energetically participates in activities and earns everyone's love and respect. Ikemefuna becomes great friends with Nwoye and exerts a masculine influence over the younger boy, and Okonkwo was proud of the way Nwoye followed his example. Although Okonkwo never showed any signs of affection or emotion, he was very fond of Ikemefuna, who addresses him as father. An example would be Okonkwo allowing Ikemefuna to bring his stool to the wrestling match of which is an honour. During the three years living in Okonkwo's household, he was very popular as he was knowledgeable and tough. When Ikemefuna was told that he was going home, he

was somewhat sad to leave his new family he had found, but went along with Okonkwo and the elders. This shows that he did not show too much affection even though he was leaving and he was quite "used to" change. Overall, Ikemefuna is quite susceptible to change as he was one to adapt quickly, unlike Nwoye who holds on to strong bonds and even cried when Ikemefuna was leaving. Ikemefuna was a strong and smart boy and was quite open to change as he had been through a major change in life of "changing families" at such a young age.Character Discussed: the People of the Village of Mbanta .

Instance of Change: the Introduction of the Christian Community .

How They Deal with Change:At first the clan accepts the entry of the Christian community . Even though stories were often told , such as the Christian hanged one man who killed a missionary , the people of the clan did not highly regard these stories , instead they treat them as fairy-tales in Mbanta , and did not let it affect the relationship between the new church and the clan . Everyone in the community seems very harmless , and despite of their worthlessness , they accept the Christians to the clan .But later , one of the Christian , Okoli killed a sacred python , which was also the emanation of the god of water . As a result , the villagers finally decided to outlaw the Christians . And since they killed the emanation of the god of water (the python) , the Christians were not allowed to get water from the stream . Even the Christian women were chased away by young men from the stream when they just wanted to get water to scrub the church for Easter , and the young men even started whipping them . It was not the village's custom to debar anyone , especially women from the stream of the quarry until then . This shows they decided to try to banish the Christians from the village when they don't even allow those Christian women to get water and go to the market . Since the women need to get water and go to the market to get food for survival , by forbidding them to go to these places , the clan are obviously trying to force them out of the village when they cannot survive any longer .Character discussed: Okonkwo Instance of Change: Nwoye attends the missionary’s school How he deals with Change: Okonkwo was forced into exile for seven years as he had accidentally shot Ezeudu’s son with his gun. He had committed a “female crime” and thus, Okonkwo’s property must be destroyed, his houses burnt, his animals killed. The earth must be cleansed. While he was away from his fatherland, white men came and established a church and school there. Nwoye was immediately attracted to the new faith and tried to hide his interest from Okonkwo. Unfortunately, Okonkwo’s cousin Amikwu noticed Nwoye among the Christians and informed Okonkwo. Okonkwo went into a fury and strangled him, demanding to know where he had been. Nwoye then left the compound and asked

Mr Kiaga to send him to the white missionary’s school. Okonkwo was devastated upon losing a son and asked himself why he had such an effeminate and weak son. Also, Nwoye’s rejection of Igbo values had struck a dire blow to Okonkwo’s hopes for him. He sighed and thought to himself: “living fire begets cold impotent ash.”When Okonkwo returned to Umuofia, the white men sent their messenger to the village. Trembling with hate, he confronted the head messenger and in a flash, Okonkwo drew his machete which decended twice, leaving the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body.It is Okonkwo’s inability to recognize change that in the end forced him to commit suicide. Character discussed: Okonkwo

Instance of change: The new religion gave Nwoye hope, and it opposed the same things

he opposed. For instance, he did not like the tradition where they discarded twins away

the minute they were born. He re-passed the church many times before he finally

entered and accepted the new religion. From then, he attended church and changed his

religion.

How he deals with change: He was overcome with fury. When Nwoye came home,

Okonkwo could not even speak properly; he was too angry to be. “Nwoye struggled to

free himself from the choking grip.” From this, it showed that Okonkwo was furious. He

even “seized a heavy stick that lay on the dwarf wall and hit him two or three savage

blows.” It was only the arrival of his uncle, Uchendu that he let go of Nwoye because

Uchendu stopped him.

Okonkwo revered his family ancestors and gods and unquestioningly upheld the laws of

the tribe. Hence, he could not accept the fact that his son changed his religion. He was

frustrated at having such a son and he considered his son as a misfortune to him. After

he learnt about Nwoye changing his religion, he began to think about what-ifs, for

example, what if when he died and all his male children were converted by Nwoye to

the new faith? He was scared and a cold shudder ran through him. From this, it was

evident that he could not accept the change and this was considered a big blow to him.

He began to worry about things and even linked Nwoye’s change of religion to other

matters. He kept criticizing his despicable son’s behaviour when he learnt that he had

accepted a new faith. For example, he labeled his son as a woman whom he considered

was weak and useless. He did not stop to think and reflect on why Nwoye wanted to

change his religion. The minute he knew Nwoye changed his religion, he did not attempt

to empathize with Nwoye but resorted to physical violence.

When faced with a change, Okonkwo responded with physical violence as he could not

accept the change and tried to understand why things have to change. He is both

confused and angry, hence he could not think logically. Other than violence, he did not

know how to deal with his frustration at the change.

Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: Okonkwo returns to his motherland. (chapter 14)How he deals with change: When he returns to his motherland, he faces the change of environment, as well as a change in his life. Okonkwo was forced to return to his motherland, because he shot Ezeudu’s sixteen-year-old son during Ezeudu’s burial ceremony. Therefore he had to flee from the clan as it was a crime to kill a clansman, only being able to return to the clan after seven years. This brings out the change in environment that Okonkwo went through. He had to rebuild his obi, as well as huts for his wives to stay in. He had to adapt to the new environment, new crop land and the people. Next, there was a change in his life. When he was sent to be in exile, he was no longer a leader of the clan. He had no titles, those that he worked terribly hard to earn them. He had to start from scratch, back to where he once was, nothing. “His life had been ruled by a great passion – to become one of the lords of the clan. That had been his life-spring. And he had all but achieved it. Then everything had been broken. He had been cast out of his clan like a fish on to a dry, sand beach, painting.” He lost everything that he earned with sweat and blood. However, he accepted this change. It was a fact that he shot down his own clansman. Instead of resorting to anger and violence, he decided to start again, from scratch and continue to live his life. “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.”Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of change :Nwoye attends churchHow he deals with change: He was very angry and upset with Nwoye. Beat Nwoye up with a heavy stick until Uchendu stopped him. Even wanted to take his matchet and kill the church people. Does not understand why would he, a strong man, got a 'woman' for his son. He feels that he is a dying flame, yielding cold, impotent ash, incapable of doing anything great.Instance of change: When he kills one of the white men.How he deals with change: After Okonkwo kills the white man, he had expected the rest of his village to be spurred by his example and start attacking the white men. However, by then the villagers had already 'changed' and became more meek. If it was merely another village, they would have helped him. However, they were afraid of the white men and these white men in a sense had 'conquered' Umuofia. In that situation, it would have been more beneficial for the village to follow the white men rather than to

revolt. However, Okonkwo could not accept it. When the villagers failed to respond as Okonkwo wished, he realized that he was at a dead end: He had to submit to the white men. However, being the overly proud person that he is, he cannot accept them and as a result, commited suicide despite suicide being an extremely shameful thing to commit. His inability to adapt to change had resulted in a disgraceful death.Instance of Change: When Nwoye visited the chuch

How he deals with Change:

Upon hearing his cousin that Nwoye was sported to be among the Christians, Okonkwo remained unmoved even though the women were talking about it excitedly. This implies that Okonkwo was possibly suppressing his rising anger at Nwoye for visiting the church, for even thinking to believe the ‘crazy’ stories that the Christians were saying and is unable to accept such behaviour from his own son; Okonkwo did not want to accept such a change in Nwoye, an unacceptable change in faith and belief of Nwoye. Okonkwo wanted Nwoye to be just like him and respect their society’s culture.

When Nwoye return and saluted Okonkwo, Okonkwo did not answer. Just when Nwoye was about to turn round and walk into the inner compound, that was when Okonkwo reacted.

From his previous unmoving self, he had morphed into a being of absolute fury and rage. With overwhelming anger, he had sprung to his feet and took hold of Nwoye’s neck in a strangling hold. Okonkwo reacted very violently and rashly, as he did not even think of the consequences when he had let the rage take hold of him. Just because this was not the way Nwoye was supposed to act as his son, Okonkwo responded with violence and strangled him, even using a heavy stick to land heavy blows upon Nwoye, constantly demanding Nwoye to own up for his actions. From such aggressive actions of Okonkwo, it can be seen that his response to Nwoye’s change in his faith was violence and rashness, where he was overcome by anger.

After which, when Okonkwo sat near the fire to think through about the matter, he thought of the white men again and was yet filled with raw emotions of anger. He actually wanted to take his matchet and go to the church to destroy it with its corrupt gang, as he was angered by how these white men had initiate a change in Nwoye. Okonkwo believed that it was the white men’s fault for causing his son to change his belief, and at first thought, wanted to wipe out the whole bunch of them for corrupting his son. Okonkwo had yet again dealt with the change with violent thoughts.

However, after further thought, Okonkwo dealt with the change in Nwoye in a very different manner. Instead of open emotions of anger, he was instead dealing the change with very repressed emotions, a turmoil of emotions where he was disappointed and also a little frightened by such a change. Firstly, Okonkwo was disappointed for having such a useless and despicable son like

Nwoye. Okonkwo believed that Nwoye should be living up to his standards; his reputation of ‘Roaring Fire’; Nwoye should have been a greatly respected man just like Okonkwo himself, but Nwoye’s change in faith and failure at such disappointed Okonkwo. Okonkwo even started to doubt whether Nwoye was his son or not, for such a great man like himself should have such a degenerating and effeminizing son; it was a humiliation.

Secondly, Okonkwo was saddened as Nwoye had planted seeds of doubt into Okonkwo; Okonkwo was now starting to doubt his other sons. He now begins to worry if his other sons would betray their father and follow Nwoye in his footsteps, where they will no longer pray to their father’s god and instead pray to the white men’s god. Okonkwo pictured a depressing scene where he would not be worshipped of remembered by his sons, and that gave him a cold shudder. It was clear that Okonkwo was afraid of such a thing happening, and such an emotion was cause only when Nwoye had changed his faith and started to believe in the white men’s god, causing Okonkwo to doubt his other sons trust and belief, and at the same time, worried about his future.

At the very last of such a scene, there was a very last emotion by Okonkwo to show how he had dealt with such a change; it was resignation. Okonkwo had realised ‘Living fire begets cold, impotent ash’, whereby the fire could actually refer to Nwoye, the ash, Okonkwo himself; indicating that Nwoye would never change back to believe in Okonkwo’s god again, and Okonkwo was resigned to finally accept such a fact. Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: Exiled to motherland (Mbanta)How he deals with Change: Sad and weary. Regretted every single day as he could have achieved higher ranks in Umuofia during the 7 years. Lost the momentum to push himself. Became less active, e.g. sat in silent half-sleep when there was no work to do. Greatly troubled. Feels lost, without goals and targets.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: Loss of control & Nwoye is disownedHow he deals with Change:

When the missionaries arrived, Okonkwo was a staunch unbeliever in the new 'faith' that they brought. When he finds out that Nwoye has converted to Christianity, Okonkwo becomes very distressed because to him, it is a strong display of rebellion against Umuofia's tradition.

It can be said that Okonkwo values tradition too much to accept change. Okonkwo has worked hard to uphold the traditions of the village and his beliefs, and he has worked hard to get where he is now. Even though Okonkwo was exiled from Umuofia, he still used to hold many titles in Umuofia (as well as being the wrestling champion when he was younger - a lofty position since wrestling is a highly-regarded sport in Umuofia) and was an important man.

Loss of Control

Before the missionaries arrived, Okonkwo was always in control - he was always sure what his position was. To have his control suddenly usurped by the missionaries who suddenly came and denounced the traditions of the clan was unsettling for Okonkwo. And from an earlier part of the book, it is said that 'No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man.' His disability to stop Nwoye from converting made him think that it was a personal fault, that he was becoming an agbala - effeminate. To him, it was a sign that he was becoming the man that his father was: a useless and effeminate man.

Nwoye is disowned

Okonkwo disowned Nwoye when Nwoye converted to Christianity mainly because 'None of his converts was a man whose word was heeded in the assembly of the people. None of them was a man of title. They were mostly the kind of people that were called efulefu, worthless, empty men. The imagery of an efulefu in the language of the clan was a man who sold his matchet and wore the sheath to battle.' In short, these men were representative of being feminine. And when Nwoye joined, he became an advocate of Christianity - a religion his father did not believe; a religion filled with the exact type of people his father hated. Okonkwo did not want Nwoye to become like his grandfather. Conclusively, Okonkwo disowned Nwoye because he was ashamed that Nwoye was his son now that Nwoye was endorsing everything that he, Okonkwo had worked all his life against.Character discussed: NwoyeInstance of Change: When Nwoye heard the hymn about brothers/ when Ikemefuna was killed.How he deals with the Change: Nwoye allows himself to appreciate the new religion. He feels relieved. Nwoye was so enlightened that he told Obierika that Okonkwo was not his father. Later on when Okonkwo started to beat him up for not answering him as to where Nwoye went earlier on, Nwoye remained silent and dignified. Even the women were screaming outside, afraid to go in. Later on, Nwoye “walked away and never returned”.It is understood that Nwoye has been portrayed as a timid, lazy, meek and useless boy throughout the play, which was exactly opposite of what his father (Okonkwo) was, aggressive, unforgiving, masculine and authoritarian. Nwoye had always been quietly abiding to Okonkwo’s orders, though he does not perform his job well due to his innate character. However, he defended himself by standing up against Okonkwo’s chiding and physical abuse. It is apparent that the new religion had caused a great change in Nwoye, and the way Nwoye copes with the change is shown by his defiance towards Okonkwo. This method of dealing with the change was probably due to Okonkwo taking away things dearly to him on two occasions that left him greatly affected and heartbroken, such that he felt that Okonkwo did not deserve to be his father since Okonkwo does not show any concern or love to anyone at all, in his opinion. This also dawned on him on

the instance of change.Nwoye overcame the only obstacle in his life – Okonkwo, and set off on changing his life by “refining himself” through the new religion. The change allowed him to show care and concern to other children (through teaching the children in the missionary how to read and write), which was what Okonkwo failed to provide him. His way of managing the change would make him a better and more confident person.Character discussed: Nwoye

Instance of change: The arrival of the missionaries.

How he deals with the change: The missionaries arrived at Mbanta and that angered lots of villagers as they wanted to set up a church to win over converts. Nwoye knew that Okonkwo dislike the missionaries from the start. However, he was attracted to them from the very first day as he could not understand why abandoned twins were crying in the bushes and why Ikemefuna was killed. It was due to these uncertainties that captivated Nwoye to be a convert. After a few days passing and repassing the church, Nwoye finally made up his mind to enter the church. Okonkwo soon found out about it and questioned Nwoye about his whereabouts in the morning. Nwoye refused to answer as he feared the consequences. But, Okonkwo threatened Nwoye and demanded for an answer. Being threatened, Nwoye went back to the church and decided to go to Unuofia, where the white missionary had set up a school to teach young Christians to read and write. When Nwoye left his father, he was happy and told himself that he will return later to convert his mother and sisters to the new faith. Character discussed: Okonkwo

Instance of change: From the greatest man in the clan to an exile who has to return to his motherland

How he deals to change:

- work hard planting a new farm like beginning a new life

Personality changed totally:

- he finds no pleasure in doing work anymore (used to love working) > pg 114 ''like beginning life anew without the vigour and enthusiasm of youth''

- when there's nothing to do, he ''sat in a silent half-sleep'' > use to find things to do when there's no work

- when Uchendu asked him questions, he admitted that he does not know the answer > BEFORE: high pride --> will not admit that he does not know something, even if he doesn't know he would pretend that he knows

CONCLUSION:1. Became depressed and troubled

2. Could not face the reality that he failedCharacter discussed: Okonkwo

Instance of Change: Change of culture and believe in Ibo

How he deals with Change:

He cannot accept it. Since young, he had lived his life trying to live up to his

culture's ideals of masculinity. His entire life's focus was to be someone brave and

masculine unlike his father. This focus has made him totally desperate and sad when his

society, Ibo began to change. When the Christianity entered his culture of society, he

grasped on to the old values and showed strong objections towards the new religion. He

insisted his great respect for the gods and the Ibo religion by different reactions

especially react with violence. His rigidity caused things in in life "to fall apart". He was

angry with Nwoye and even wanted to kill him when he knew Nwoye went to the

church. His impulsive and unchangeable reaction caused the relationship between

Nwoye and him “falls apart”. Due to his inability in changing with the society, he even

ended up dying because he thought that dying was one of the last great men of the old

ways. His death was symbolic of the death of a culture. It was sad as he probably could

have adjusted and survived if he had examined who was setting the goals for his life and

decided upon his own goals. As a result, his death was sad but not unexpected.

Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: Nwoye attends church

How he deals with Change: Okonkwo is unable to accept the fact that Nwoye has attended church and is extremely furious. Rather than trying to find out the reasons to Nwoye attending church, or trying to explain his displeasure with Nwoye’s actions to him, in his uncontrollable anger, Okonkwo rushed towards Nwoye, overcome with fury, strangling him by grabbing him by his neck instead. Instead of being a good role model to his son in terms of being patient with his question, Okonkwo ends up yelling at his son ferociously, demanding an answer and threatening his life. This is in actual fact not

the right way to react, as threatening the safety of own flesh and blood is definitely not the right way to teach, educate or even show displeasure at his actions, for this could leave an emotional scar on Nwoye, or even lead to Nwoye replicating his behaviours in the future when he grows up. Okonkwo only stops after being shouted at by his uncle, Uchendu, but not without any displeasure as well, as shown when Okonkwo does not even bother replying Uchendu. That night, Okonkwo reflects over the incident. Rather than showing regret for his actions and being worried of the safety of Nwoye, who had not returned home, anger gets the better of him once more as he continues to be furious and even had the desire to kill the people at the church, whom he described as “ vile and corrupt ”. In addition, instead of trying to stand in the shoes of his son and try to figure out the reasons for his decision, Okonkwo feels aggrieved deep in his heart for having a son like Nwoye, who he felt was despicable and a disappointment to him. He felt Nwoye’s decision betrayed not only him, but also their cultural beliefs and gods and refused to even try to accept the decision. Okonkwo’s fear was also evoked due to the incident as he shuddered at the thought of what he felt was a terrible prospect should all his sons follow Nwoye and abandoned the tradition of their ancestors after his death. Deep in his heart, he continued to live in denial and refusing to think from the stand of Nwoye, swearing to “wipe” his children off the face of the earth should they follow Nwoye’s lead. He was also in disbelief, for he felt that someone as supreme and capable as him should never have had a son like Nwoye, who he felt was actually a disgrace to him and that reminded him of his father Unoka, who was also a disappointment. Okonkwo began to feel that Nwoye and Unoka were similar in many ways, igniting fear, anger and disappointment all at once.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstant of change: When Ikemefuna was sentenced to deathHow he deals with the change: He had always treated Ikemefuna like his own son. But when Ikemefuna was to be killed, being his egoistical self, he put on a strong facade so that he would not be deemed weak as showing affection is a sign of weakness. He did not want to appear weak infront of the elderly as he was aiming for title and status. He thus went against his true guts and emotions and went ahead in the killing of Ikemefuna. Little did he know that it would affect him so much. When he came back from the killings, he was not able to contain his sadness and behaved like a "shivering old woman". He was not able to eat and sleep for a few days. After that, he was fine. Although this kind of behaviour might appear common, but for Okonkwo, it only happened like once in his entire life. So, we thus can conclude that this change might be one of the most major change that ever took place in Okonkwo's life.Character discussed: NwoyeInstance of Change: he attends church.How he deals with Change: He began disobeying Okonkwo's orders. He visits the church out of curiosity and found nothing harmful about attending the church. Continues to attend the church, thinking that it was a way out for him to escape from Okonkwo's abuse. He used to be obedient. Could be that he could not take it anymore and because Ikemefuna died so he changed.Character discussed:

His clan

Instance of change:

His clan became soft like women

How he deals with the change:

Okonkwo was deeply grieved, and it was not just a personal grief. He mourned for the clan, which he saw breaking up and falling apart. He was upset and disappointed at the fact that the warlike men of Umuofia had become soft like women.

Before Okonkwo got exiled, his clan was against religions and did not show approval for the clansmen to join churches, however everything took a turn for the worst. When he got back, the clan had undergone such profound change, during his exile that It was barely recognizable. The new religion, government and the trading stores were very much in the people’s eyes and minds. They did not kill the missionary or drive away the Christians.

The clan had fallen apart, during Okonkwo’s exile. Everything became the opposite of what should have been. The clan was supposed to have warlike men and not men that were as soft as women and gave in to religion.

Character discussed:Okonkwo

Instance of change:Okonkwo’s death

How he deals with the change:At the start of the novel, Okonkwo was portrayed as a high and mighty man, that was arrogant and full of himself. He was one that would never bow down to anything, he even dared to beat Ojiugo even though it was the Week of Peace. Also, he was a man of action, a man of war. He wasn’t afraid of the sight of blood.

However, the irony is, Okonkwo committed suicide at the end of the novel. It was as though Okonkwo had changed into an agbala. If he was so proud of himself, and would

not give in to anything, he wouldn’t have hanged himself. He would strive to change the mindsets of his clansmen and not commit suicide after he had realized that his clansmen did not care much about the new religion. Character discussed: NwoyeInstance of Change: Okonkwo is enraged after finding out Nwoye attends churchHow he deals with Change : In the past, Nwoye would never have defied Okonkwo. Even though Okonkwo controlled the household with a very heavy hand, Nwoye has always longed for some recognition from Okonkwo and has always tried to please his father. On other occasions, he has even tried to appease Okonkwo. However, on this occasion, Nwoye does not attempt to please Okonkwo, and neither is he apologetic. Instead, Nwoye totally ignores his father's demands and failed to answer his question. He ends up leaving home and going back to the church instead, something he would never have done in the past. Nwoye tells Mr. Kiaga that he had decided to go to Umuofia where the white missionary had set up a school to teach young Christians to read and write, pleasing Mr. Kiaga. On this occasion, after enraging Okonkwo, Nwoye pleases an outsider, in this case Mr. Kiaga, rather than Okonkwo. Even though Nwoye did not understand Mr. Kiaga's reply, rather than feeling guilty for upsetting Okonkwo, Nwoye, on this occasion, feels happy that he has left his father. Even in the knowledge that Okonkwo is against his decision, he makes up his mind and 'rebels' by planning to return to his mother and siblings in the future and even convert them to the new faith.Character: NwoyeInstance of change: Nwoye attended ChurchHow he deals with change: At first:

- “Although Nwoye had been attracted to the new faith from the very first day, he kept it a secret. He dared not go too near the missionaries for fear of his father.”

- Is reminded of Ikemefuna’s death. Captivated and tempted but is a coward. Scared of pursuing what he is interested in because fear of father’s disapproval. Always lives under his father’s shadows. Main reason why he chose to believe Christianity was because he used to believe in his father, Okonkwo but after he knew it was Okonkwo who killed Ikemefuna, he chose to shut himself from Okonkwo like how Okonkwo used to shut himself from Unoka. Internal struggle. Evidence: paced outside the church, hesitating.

Later:- “Nwoye stood looking at him and did not say a word.”

- “But he left hold of Nwoye, who walked away and never returned.”

- “He was happy to leave his father”

- Originally hesitating to join or not. Made his final decision after being abused by

Okonkwo. Upset about his father’s violent nature and reaction to him just pacing outside the church. At that moment, he was truly enlightened by the Christian religion that his own religion, which he believed in so long, only deceit him to kill his fellow and innocent children. Hated his father for killing Ikemefuna and for abusing his family. Felt that his decision was right. Claimed that he would return to convert his mother, brothers and sisters to the new faith. He has committed himself to Christianity.

Character discussed: Nwoye

Instance of Change: After Ikemefuna died, and when the missionaries came to preach.

How he deals with Change: Nwoye and Ikemefuna shared a close relationship, and were

like blood-related brothers, therefore Ikemefuna’s death caused Nwoye to lose

something he treasured a lot. When he knew it was his father who did it, he hated his

father, and this brought huge change in Nwoye. His relationship with his father became

very strained and they slowly grew apart. Nwoye even started to dislike him. However,

things started to change even more drastically when the missionaries came to the

village. Nwoye was interested in their message of Christianity, but he had not change as

much yet, as he feared of evoking anger in his father. In chapter 17, “He dared not go

too near the missionaries for fear of his father.” There was some denial in this change at

first, “Nwoye passed and re-passed the little red-earth and thatch building without

summoning enough courage to enter.” Still, Nwoye was slowly changing, he was more

inclined towards his own thinking when the missionaries came, and became more

courageous. In Chapter 16 and 17, “But whenever they came to preach in the open

market-place or the village play-ground, Nwoye was there.” and “The hymn about

brothers who sat in darkness and fear seemed to answer a vague and persistent

question that haunted his young soul – the question of the twins crying in the bush and

the question of Ikemefuna who was killed. He felt a relief within as the hymn poured

into his parched soul.” Nwoye did not refuse this change in him, and showed clear

acceptance. He hated his father so much, to the extent that he could rebel against his

father and joined the missionaries in the end, even though he knew his father would be

furious about it. In chapter 17, “But he left hold of Nwoye, who walked away and never

returned.” Nwoye left his family behind, and his father could not accept this change in

him, which led to his deep thoughts and reflection at the end of Chapter 17, where he

said, “Why, he cried in his heart, should he, Okonkwo, of all people, be cursed with such

a son?” However, Nwoye did accept this change in him, and was very pleased to leave

his father, and join the missionaries, where he could learn and be educated. From

chapter 17, “But he was happy to leave his father.”

Character discussed: Nwoye

Instance of Change: Ikemefuna’s death

How he deals with Change:

Nwoye is a very sensitive individual, and this is partly shaped by Okonkwo’s attitude towards him. It is stated in the book that he “felt something snap inside of him, like a bow-string” on the night Ikemefuna was killed, specifically when Okonkwo returned back to the house compounds. Nwoye also thinks about the time he came across the crying sounds of twins who were thrown away in the evil forest, and that the women “hushed their voices and hurried forward”. Nwoye’s sensitivity is built both by Okonkwo’s high expectations and subsequently harsh treatment towards him, and also by Ikemefuna’s whimsical side, as Ikemefuna used to tell Nwoye stories with his vast expanse of knowledge.

By alluding his feelings when Ikemefuna was killed to the snapping of bow-string, Nwoye shows the extent of his emotional attachment to Ikemefuna, as he had came to recognise Ikemefuna as an older brother. This allusion to the snapping of a bow-string shows that Nwoye felt like something inside of him broke, for the one person who he looked up to was killed by his father, and this conflicted with Ikemefuna’s obvious attachment and respect for Okonkwo as a father. This gives an added dimension to the killing of Ikemefuna, as the youth was killed by the one person he thought would protect him. Nwoye knows this, and it can be seen from his reactions in later chapters that he considers this action of Okonkwo sort of like a betrayal of Ikemefuna’s trust. Nwoye’s trust and respect for his own father thus wavers, and their relationship becomes so strained that Nwoye eventually breaks all ties with his father to seek the acceptance and sanctuary of the Church.

The abovementioned instance of Nwoye’s reaction to change shows that he deals with change in a rather subdued and suspicious manner, and also that he is, to a certain extent, intolerant of change. The killing of Ikemefuna results in Nwoye’s withdrawal into himself, and the subsequent defection to Christianity as he feels that such a religion

would be able to accept “outcasts”, from villagers and also families. This defection reflects Nwoye’s sensitivity because it shows how he has never really gotten over Ikemefuna’s killing and the betrayal of his trust by Okonkwo. Character Discussed : OkonkwoInstance of Change : Being exiledReaction to Change : Okonkwo no longer works with the same passion and drive he once had. Before the incident, he was well-respected by others, but the incident had resulted in people having less respect for him. He takes this change in a negative way, thinking that he no longer has a shot at becoming ‘one of the lords of the clan’. However, not all people might take the change as negatively. Some people might work even harder, with more drive, so as to show other people his worth, and regain his respect. However, it is not fully unreasonable for Okonkwo to act this way, because all his life, he had been trying to prove that he was not a loafer, like his father. Hence, he is obsessed with success, and is not able to take such a fall lightly. This results him in being dejected, and no longer working with the same passion he once had. Instance of Change : Nwoye attends churchReaction to Change : Okonkwo chokes Okonkwo might be angry at Nwoye, but probably not as much as he was sad and devastated. Okonkwo is harsh on Nwoye, because he believes that he has huge potential to become successful in the clan. This is why we often see Okonkwo reprimanding Nwoye. He does so not because he is mad at Nwoye, but because he wants to spur Nwoye on to do better. Having hopes of Nwoye being ‘manly’ and successful in the clan, he is disappointed when Nwoye becomes a Christian, because he feels that Nwoye is turning his back on the clan’s tradition. Thus, Nwoye could no longer be what he deemed to be ‘successful’. Okonkwo also reacts in the way he does, because he feels that he himself had failed in a way. He feels that he had failed to keep Nwoye in hand, and causes him to be angry at himself and Nwoye. Having been obsessed with success, and trying to prove to people that he would not be a loafer like his father, he is angered at the fact that he himself had failed to prevent Nwoye from becoming a loafer. Instance of Change : Christianity’s comingReaction to Change : Okonkwo rejects Christianity quite strongly, but with good reason. Christianity is itself a threat to Okonkwo’s social standing. Christianity advocates that we are all brothers and sisters, and that there is none that has greater power compared to another. This undermines Okonkwo’s power, because if there are no ‘lower’ people, ‘higher’ power could not exist. This puts Okonkwo’s hopes for success in risk. Also, Christianity is a totally new idea to the clan, and to no surprise is it that Okonkwo rejects the idea. Being a new idea, it has to be resisted, or it isn’t a new idea.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: When he arrives at his motherland after being made to take his family into exile for seven yearsHow he deals with Change: In a nutshell, his change is ironic as he became someone who is not like himself. Usually when faced with changes, he will resist it by not doing

anything to adapt to the change, but just stick with his old self by being stubborn and not accepting any comments or views. As evidenced in chapter 4, an old man who was strucked by Okonkwo’s brusqueness in dealing with less successful men said “Looking at a king’s mouth, one would think he never sucked at his mother’s breast.” The man is actually referring to Okonkwo to convey to him that his arrogance is getting overboard. Instead of admitting such a fact, one would perhaps just kept silent. However Okonkwo rebutted by saying “This meeting is for men”, which kills a man’s spirit as only woman do not take titles, just like the old man who commented on him. This is rude as he contradicted an elder. In chapter fourteen, after he just settled down in Mbanta, when being questioned by Uchendu about questions regarding on giving the names of children with Nneka, which means ‘Mother is Supreme', Okonkwo was in doubt. His replies were a humble “I do not know the answer” and a shake of his head. In chapter sixteen, when another elder ordered him to get a pot of wine, he readily accepts the errand without a word and carried it out. When Obierika helped him sold his yams in Umuofia and got two bag full of cowries as profit, Okonkwo receives it with a smile, which is unusual as his normal self will not hesitant to think that this is what Obierika is supposed to do for him. In fact, Okonkwo was so grateful that he is willing to kill his son to thank Obierika for doing him such a favour. These had shown than when faced with a change, Okonkwo is not able to adapt well internally as the usual pride he carried had faded noticeably and it has shown externally through his actions. He had obviously put himself lower in front of others in an unfamiliar environment and has become more accepting in one way.Character discussed: nwoyeInstant of change: when the white man invade their country and brought in Christian missionaries How he deal with change: elated about the change. The change has brought about a new principle. He felt that the changes could change the traditional ways of the clan. “he felt a relief within as the hymn poured into his parched soul.” As nwoye is a sensitive man, he felt that the change is going to release him from the traditional beliefs of Igo.he could not accept the fact of losing his loved ones due to the clan’s rules. From the start, nwoye has inherited his grandfather’s traits. For example, being lazy and do not like participating in what a man should do. Nwoye does not have to follow his father’s belief. “nwoye passed and re-passed the little red-earth and thatch building without summoning courage to enter.” this shows that the church has attracted his attention but his fear for his father has kept him outside. “but he was happy to leave his father.” Nwoye loves the change that was brought to them. He could trust his own beliefs in his new found religion.Character discussed: Okonkwo

Instance of Change: He was exile from Umofia & Introduction of missionaries(somehow, it all kinda links and eventually dragged to that)

How he deals with Change:

When Okonkwo was sent into exile, he went to his motherland Mbanta. There, he was well received and given plots of land to start anew. Also, Uchendu's sons kindly given him 1500 seed-yams to plant a farm.Though initially he questioned his judgement, he still resigned to it as his faith towards his religion is strong is unquestioning. In Mbanta, Okonkwo is listless and did nothing but provide for his family. He realised that "work no longer had for him the pleasure it used to have". He lost his past vigor for accomplishment and "sat in a silent half-sleep" for the rest of the time.

As time passed, Okonkwo became listless and plotted nothing but his return to Umofia; he planned to rebuild and expand his compound, get not one but two new wife and initiate his sons into the ozo society. He was limited to immediate reactions, mostly rage, as he hears stories about the white men. He calls the other men in Mbanta fools for not fighting back and looked down on them as they favoured negotiation to brute force. Unfortunately, his ravings are mostly impotent cries of frustration that Ibomen are no longer men but women "clucking like hens".

When Nwoye's decamping to the Christian missionaries, he asks himself, "How then could he have begotten a son like Nwoye, degenerate and effeminate?" Okwonko correctly views the white missions as a threat to his way of life, and community. He is too proud to change just because the missions have more power, which eventually leads to his own death.Character discussed: OkonkwoInstance of Change: Nwoye joined the churchHow he deals with Change:

When Okonkwo first heard of the change, that Nwoye joined the church, he remained unmoving. Even when Nwoye came home and greeted him he did not respond. I feel that this shows that inside Okonkwo, his feelings are clashing, but he did not want to show it and portrayed calmness. As a father, though violent, Okonkwo only did what he did as he did not want his son to grow up to be a weak man. This shows that he actually thinks about his son and what would be the best for him, but uses the wrong way.

Thus when he heard that Nwoye joined the white men and their church, he must have felt ashamed for his son changing his side; and also ashamed of himself not teaching his son properly at the same time, thus he did not comment at first, and held his thoughts to himself.

After Nyoye came home, Okonkwo suddenly exploded as fury overcame him. He could not deal with his son’s irresponsible actions, thus he resorted into anger and violence. He even gripped Nwoye by the neck, and threatened to kill him. Then he beat his son up with a heavy stick. Only after Okonkwo’s uncle asked him to stop, he let Nwoye go but did not say anything. Nwoye did not come back from then.

Okonkwo’s rush actions show that he could not deal with change unless if it was what he wanted to change. This is because Okonkwo had always been in control, and if something changed against his will, he will not accept it easily, and will fight for what he

wants.After Nwoye left, Okonkwo had a lot of thoughts. He thought about killing all the

Christians, but then thought that Nwoye was not worth fighting for. He thought that he was cursed with Nwoye as a son. He even thought that if all his sons changed into Christianity, he would kill them all.

Again, we can see that he deals with change with violence. This is probably because this is what he is best at, most familiar with, as from young he had gained many things he wanted through violence, such as fame and women. He also gained what he felt as control over the family using violence. Thus when things turn out not the way he wanted, so naturally, he used violence to change it back the way it was, thinking that it will.

But in the end he learnt that not everything could be changed by him using violence. Nwoye did not change his mind, and the whites continued to prosper.