In this chapter the main character Okonkwo is introduced. He is known throughout the local villages for defeating Amalinze the Cat, who was undefeated for seven years. This fight took place over twenty years ago. The chapter then goes on to introduce Okonkwo's father Unoka, who was nothing like his son. Unoka had died ten years before, and sadly enough Okonkwo seemed quite fine with this. Okonkwo's father had been very well known for building up large debts and never paying them back. A neighbor by the name of Okoye visited two years after lending Unoka money, yet Unoka did not have it. The story then shifts back to Okonkwo, who has been doing very well for himself.
This was a very short chapter in the novel. At this point it seems like the novel is just been introduced and we were being given a background of the events that are to follow. It is clear that Okonkwo despised his father and his laziness, and perhaps that has given him some drive to not be like Unoka.
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4 comments:
Aaron, i just started reading the book too. I thought at the beginning it was kind of hard to understand who was the son, and who they were talking about, but then i got used to it. I am glad Okonkwo is doing better than his father had in his life. He had so many debts he had to pay to people and so many people that he owed. Hopfully further into the book in with get a little bit more interesting.
Aaron, I agree with everything you said about chapter 1, and unlike sara I do not think that it is hard to follow this book at all lol. Though like Sara I am glad that Okonkwo is doing much better than his father.
Good observations in your 2nd paragraph. THAT is what I'm after. The 1st paragraphy which explains what happened in the chapter is nice, but not really needed.
I'm more after what you THINK about what you read, than the actual nuts & bolts of WHAT you read.
The connection you draw in the 2nd paragraph of your post is a VERY important one. Okonkwo does not want to become his father. He fears weakness, and is ultimately what drives his character. This is a very important concept to understand with this character.
Keep up the character observations and connections type commments.
Mr. Farrell
Garvey, I agree with what you said, but I think you left out some good stuff. This chapter is not mostly about Okonkwo's dislike of his father, but rather about the type of man his father was. Unoka was a dreamer, the type of guy who would today be a druggie and a hippie. His is the culture of the '70s. Yes, he is immature, yes he is broke, but this chapter is about the fact that he has a restless soul. So, I agree with special-k and you, but I think that you guys might have missed something kinda cool.
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