The Nine Villages

Our Main character's name is Okonkwo. Okonkwo is somewhat a hero to his people and throughout the nine villages; he defeated a very strong and sturdy man in combat who had been undefeated for seven years. The man he defeated had been a man who was agile and crafty; he had been such a good fighter that he had been given the name of Amalinze the Cat because, like a cat, "his back would never touch earth." (pg. 1) In Okonkwo's village, Umuofia, people were proud of him and said that his actions brought honor to the village and we all know honor is a valuable thing to have.

Okonkwo’s village was one very rich in culture and tradition. The story is set in the time in which Nigeria was being colonized by the English and people in the village still measured time spans in moons. We can imagine a setting that includes mud houses with straw roofs, huts, and mud beds. The dark was terrifying for the population of Umuofia. "It was always quiet except on moonlight nights. darkness held a vague terror for these people, even the bravetst among them. Children were warned not to whistle at night for fear of evil spirits. Dangerous animals became even more sinister and uncanny in the dark." (pg. 9) In the village, the elderly were considered knowledgeable and wise as well as vastly judgmental. However, they weren’t the only considered wise for Okonkwo was too for his personal achievements and the honor he brought to the village; he was not only considered wise though, also manly and with masculinity came the capability of having multiple wives and an aggressive personality. The story portrays a man who seems to grow in fame by the minute and grow fierce by the second; Okonkwo was a heavy breather and a man who seemed like he was going to pounce any moment. " Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel mas. But his hole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness." (pg. 13) The author explains how he had no patience with unsuccessful men which somewhat foreshadows his motives to act the way he did, his past and insecurities.