Character consolidation

1. What is the significance of Okonkwo’s character? What does he represent or what is he symbolic of? 
Okonkwo is a significant character as he is in African literature one of the most compelling characters. He is the raging fume throughout the book, symbolizing hypermasculinity and fear of weakness. He is an accurate embodiment of both his culture as well as internal contradiction with it. He is both an antagonist and protagonist, allowing us to get insight of how true people act and how childhood and actions around us can shape and affect personality as well as an individual's outlook on life.

2. What is the purpose of Okonkwo’s character within the text? 
Although interpretations may differ, I believe that Okonkwo's character is to show how people that are resistant  to change and stubborn are bound to find themselves in difficult situations if they are not open to change. In this case Okonkwo's character, which a lot of people view as a tragic hero, shows the fate of all those that had to confront the colonialists and had a similar approach to him. Okonkwo is a strong character that not only represents himself but a culture that has evolved for centuries and was able to crumble after an event which is the arrival of colonialists, just like how Okonkwo took a while to build his status, only to end up being a lifeless body hung by a tree.

3. How does Okonkwo’s character contribute to themes or meaning?
Okonkwo's character relates to many of the themes within Things Fall Apart. He contributes to the theme of gender as he is afraid of feminization and dislikes any man close to it, and is a masculine character. There is also the theme of family as even if he doesn't show his affection for others, he still maintains the traditional family structure. He is also a character that is build up on respect and reputation as well as fear, and how it drives most of his decisions.