Outside Reading, Week 7, Post B

Okonkwo's fear of change finally caught up with him this week, but not in the way he (or I) would have liked. Instead, Okonkwo, constantly concerned about losing his reputation among his fellow clan members or fretting about how he is surrounded by cowards, failed to recognize the demands and feelings of the new generation that was now the base of the clan. The young people weren't concerned with "honor" and "social status" nearly as much as Okonkwo was and as a result, were much more accepting of the church and the white missionaries. They were not able to relate to the ideas of war with neighboring tribes over pride. Okonkwo, not seeing this, believed that if he killed the messenger from the District Commissioner, the whole clan would go to war with him against the white man it would be just like old times. However, the new generation believed in being rational and having peace talks before simply barging into war and causing dozens of unnecessary deaths.

While some may argue that this new generation is the superior one, preferring liberal and progressive ideas as opposed to the traditional ones of their fathers, there is certainly something to be said for Okonkwo's old regime mentality. Okonkwo's chivalrous nature has lead the clan through many tough times and acts as guidepost to help them stay true to their course. Now, with the infusion of the white missionaries into their society, they have lost many of their customs and traditions that make the clan unique and not just another group of humans. And so, in this way, Okonkwo's suicide was a very sad one indeed, as it represents not just the death of a great leader, but also the death of the tradition and the old generation.