Things Fall Apart Ikemefuna
In what ways is Ikemefuma important in Things Fall Apart?
Ikemefuna is a crucial character in Things Fall Apart because he acts as a symbolic figure through whom Chinua Achebe explores the themes of fate, masculinity and change. His role is marked by innocence and sacrifice and his death serves as an essential turning point in the story. Furthermore, he significantly influenced the development of central characters in the novel.
For instance, he plays an essential role in shaping Okonkwo’s character. Okonkwo loves Ikemefuna and sees him as a son, arguably more than he does his biological son, Nwoye. However, he doesn’t show his affection openly due to his strong desire to avoid any signs of weakness. Moreover, his decision to kill Ikemefuna himself, despite being advised not to, further illustrates his deep fear of appearing weak, as defined by the masculine ideals of pre-colonial Ibo culture. Ikemefuna’s death marks the start of Okonkwo’s downfall and his emotional decline. Additionally, it also illustrates how harmful extreme ideas of masculinity can be and the damage they cause.
Ikemefuna is also important in Nwoye’s character development. Similar to his father, Nwoye also becomes emotionally attached to Ikemefuna and sees him as an older brother. Ikemefuna serves as a role model for Nwoye. He introduces him to traditional masculine roles, such as farming. As a result, Nwoye begins to behave in ways that please his father, Okonkwo. However, the trauma of Ikemefuna’s death, especially caused by Okonkwo, made Nwoye lose trust in his father and the Ibo society. He begins to question the values in his culture. Ikemefuna’s death also creates distance and tension between him and his father and contributed to his eventual conversion to Christianity. In addition, Achebe may used this as an example of how the younger generation in pre-colonial Ibo culture started to question the rigidity of the Ibo traditions and how families where the bonds are already weakened are affected by colonialism.
Ikemefuna’s fate enhances the reader’s understanding about the Ibo culture and the justice system in the Ibo society in the 19th century, before colonialism. Ikemefuna's fate is determined by forces beyond his control. He is described as an “ill-fated lad” and is sent to Umuofia as compensation of a murder committed by his clan, despite having no responsibility for the crime. He becomes a sacrificial offering to prevent war between two clans. This illustrates how individuals are sacrificed for the supposed greater good. Through Ikemefuna’s unjust death determined by the Oracle, Achebe may be critiquing the rigidity of Ibo customs and the cost of blind adherence to the authority. While not romanticising the traditional life, Achebe shows its complexity.
As the novel is written in 1958, two years before the Nigerian independence, Achebe may used Ikemefuna to show how blindly following cultural traditions and authority can lead to destruction of innocent lives. This encourages the reader to consider which cultural values are worth keeping and which still need to evolve. The reader could also reflect on the justice system and changes that still need to be made in the current society.
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