Perfect Character A Delusion or Reality

In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?

In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:


1. How has Okonkwo been a figure of inspiration and disappointment to his people?

    First, Okonkwo is being the source of inspiration for being a man who had defeated Amalinze the Cat. Thus, he has earn his respect from the people and proved to be more worthy than his father Unoka. Besides that he is also being the source of inspiration for his bravery in upholding their beliefs. For example is the killing of Ikemefuna. Although Okonkwo began to feel Ikemefuna as his own son, he still priorities his culture and tradition by maintaining the ritual of sacrificing Ikemefuna. On the other hand, Okonkwo is also a figure of disappointment to his people when he actually breaks the tradition during the “Week of Peace”. During that week, one must never commit any violence. However Okonkwo happened to beat his wife Ojiego for not preparing food for him. This has indirectly made him as a figure of disappointment. Besides that, at the end of the novel, Okonkwo was appeared to be a disappointment when he actually raised his machete and cut the head messenger of the Commissioner. All the other people started to whisper among them about his action because his action has indirectly cause a severe consequence, which is declaring war between the Igbo society and the Commissioner. 

2. What are the characteristics of Okonkwo that you can find in your nation’s leader?

    One of the characteristics of Okonkwo that I can find in my previous nation’s leader, YAB Allahyarham Tunku Abdul Rahman is good sense of leadership. One of the main principles in becoming a leader is to uphold the culture and tradition above everything. YAB Allayarham Tunku Abdul Rahman, he was the first Malaysian Prime Minister.For example, in his party (UMNO), he protects and preserves the right of Malay people during the British colonisation. This can also be seen in Okonkwo where he priorities his culture and belief by sacrificing Ikemefuna though he began to consider Ikemefuna as his own son. Besides that, the second characteristic is bravery to fight for freedom. YAB Allahyarham Tunku Abdul Rahman is also known as the “Father of Independence”.  He fought for the nation’s independence and protecting his people from being colonized by the British through peaceful negotiation. This is similar to Okonkwo who tries to protect his people from being colonized by the British and influenced by the Christianity.  The only thing that differs between both of them is that Okonkwo tried to protect his people through violence while YAB Allahyarham Tunku Abdul Rahman tried to free his people through peaceful negotiation.