Analysis of Ikemefuna's Role in Things Fall Apart
Introduced as an ill-fated lad who had to leave his homeland, Ikemefuna becomes part of Okonkwo's family but meets a tragic end after three years. His presence influences Nwoye's development and highlights the brutality and adherence to rituals in Ibo society. Ikemefuna's murder triggers Okonkwo's tragic flaw, showcasing the conflict between fate and morality.
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Ikemefuna JIGYASA SONDHI (E-NOTES IN LIEU OF CLASSROOM LECTURES)
Introduced as ill-fated lad who had to leave his homeland, family in Mbaino as his father had killed an Umuofian woman No more than a sacrificiallamb as Damian U. Opata calls him fed and looked after and killed at the end of three years. Ogbuefi Ezeudo, oldest man of Umuofia says Yes, Umuofia has decided to kill him. As there was no hurry to decide his fate, Okonkwo was asked to look after him
Okon. and family treated Ike. as any other member, and he gradually accepted them too, so much so, he forgot his own family and clan, addressed Okon. as father Nwoye became his chief companion, brother Even Okon. loved Ike. inwardly but did not show his emotions He had become wholly absorbed into his new family
Due to Ike. s efforts and his guidance that Nwoye is shaped according to his father s dreams. Shown as intelligent resourceful boy eg Can make flutes from bamboo and elephant grass; knew names of all birds & could entrap them Also developed an affection for the village children & Okon. s family Though Ike. was talented boy in the right sense, he and Nwoye identified themselves more with Nwoye s mother than with Okon.
Significantly, it is Ike. whose coming to Umuofia &intermittent death begin the tragic life of protagonist Okon. Ike. s sub-plot substantiates major themes of the novel Without contributing much, Achebe shows through Ike. the brutality of such an act; protests against such killings. This episode in fact, brings to light the dark & heinous face of Ibo culture
After three years of stay in Umuofia, elders of clan decide that Ike. be killed as Oracle of the Hills & Caves had ordained it Accordingly, a group of elders from all the nine villages of Umuofia came to Okon. to convey this message Here, Achebe s critique of the brutal nature of rituals of Ibo society comes across forcefully, a society blind in its adherence to rituals, that there is nothing else they can do, except adhere to Oracle s decision.
It is Ike. s murder that also brings out Okon. s tragic flaw Ezuedo had advised Okon. not to have anything to do with it as Ike. was like his son. Okon then neither wanted to bear a hand in Ike s death nor see him cut down. Yet, kills Ike as he was afraid of being thought weak . Okon s killing of Ike is instinctive. No time left for him to consider his action, not premeditated. Immediate circumstances under which he had to kill Ike seem to have been forced on him by capricious fates. Not in control of situation. Rather situation controlling him. Cant apply principles of morality to a situation in which he was inexorably led by uncanny fate Ike s death already a fait accompli, circumstances forced action on Okon
Abida Irele The final breaking of the filial bond between Okon & Nwoye is related to the killing of Ike. Nwoye, Ike s spiritualtwin is heart-broken at news of his death. Felt as if legs would give way & he would crumple on ground, as lifeless as Ike, latter being Nwoye s life itself Distances himself from father even more. Later converts to Christianity, is able to question this killing of companion & understands this act as heinous and wrong. Even Okon not at peace. Becomes shivering old woman and remains disturbed
Achebe criticises African culture. Voices opinion via Nwoye & Obierika Reader additionally is disgusted with Okon s inability to accept feminine qualities of clan and distances itself from him. Though Okon did not want to be thought of as weak by his tribesmen, he however shows his weakness by killing Ike weakness of being thought of as a strong Ibo leader by everyone
