3) Discuss the significance of social status in things fall apart and comment on its contribution to characterization.
Things fall apart is a post colonial novel written by a nigerian author, Chinua Achebe in 1958. The novel is linked with many traditional and religious aspects of an Ibo community located in Nigeria. One of the important and main aspects of the story is social status. Things fall apart offers the reader an insight into the Ibo world and culture, and how they live their lives.
Social status plays a crucial and significant role in the novel things fall apart as it drives many of Okonkwo's actions throughout the story. It was made clear throughout the novel that Okonkwo (the tragic hero) had a fear of ending up like his father or showing any hint of femininity or that he has any weakness in him. Due to this fear he had of not ending up like his father, Okonkwo reacted extremely violently in certain circumstances, worked hardly, and achieved a well respected status in his community.
In the Ibo culture, a man or woman's social status was always determined by his value, and what he brings to the community, rather than his legacy. Okonkwo was a respected character since he was extremely hard working and worked his way up to achieve his goals; unlike his father, who contrasts Okonkwo and never achieved anything special or gained titles like Okonkwo had. Okonkwo wanted to specifically differ from his father's laziness and poor lifestyle, and he did that in many different ways such as: being brave in wars, his yam crop which earned him a good amount of money, and showing off his wrestling skills.
Okonkwo's first big and major step to success which got him his well respected and great status in his village, was when he received the help of Nwakibie (a wealthy clansmen) who handed Okonkwo eight hundred seed yams which was twice the amount Okonkwo asked for. Nwakibie helps Okonkwo start his personal wealth and his respected status in society.
Later in the story, Okonkwo begins to face challenges to maintain and keep his social status and not to lose it. Okonkwo commits reckless acts that he doesn't emotionally agree with in order to maintain his status, such as: Stabbing his adopted son Ikemefuna with a machete, as well as joining the party that will have him executed, just so he doesn't appear to be weak in front of everybody and lose his trait of bravery. He then also beats his wife in the 'week of peace', due to the fact that she didn't get his dinner how he wanted it and when he wanted it. (It was unknown and impossible for anyone to commit any sort of violence in the 'week of peace'). Okonkwo also fails to adapt to the colonization of the white missionaries, which then led to him killing a white messenger. He was desperate for power and to maintain the image of power in himself, but he doesn't realize that he is negatively affecting his people. All these reckless actions finally lead to Okonkwo's downfall. It can be argued that one of the main factors that led to Okonkwo's downfall, was the idea of maintaining and not losing his social status.
