Things fall apart - Okonkwo

1: “he seemed to walk on springs, as if he was going to pounce on somebody”

This description highlights Okonkwo's intense energy and readiness for aggression, setting the tone for his character as one constantly prepared for confrontation.

2: “his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness."

This insight reveals that Okonkwo's harsh exterior stems from an internal fear of resembling his father, Unoka, whom he viewed as weak and unsuccessful.​

7: "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."

This statement illustrates the patriarchal values of Umuofia society and Okonkwo's adherence to rigid gender roles, highlighting his belief that control equates to masculinity.​

14: "It was like beginning life anew without the vigor and enthusiasm of youth, like learning to become left-handed in old age."

This simile conveys Okonkwo's struggle to adapt to his exile, emphasizing the difficulty of starting over when one's prime has passed.

20: "He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart."

Okonkwo laments the divisive impact of colonialism and Christianity on Umuofia, recognizing the disintegration of their cultural unity.​

24: "He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messengers escape."

This realization signifies Okonkwo's ultimate disillusionment with his clan's passivity, leading to his tragic decision to take his own life.​