Answer: The book things fall apart begins with a scene describing Okonkwo. In this scene Okonkwo is being celebrated as a pillar and respected individual as clamp. This station is what Okonkwo has worked so hard to achieve. He is glorious, proud and accomplished. The rest of the book chronicles Okonkwo’s attempts to maintain his status, position within the clan. The very last scene of the book has the district commissioner describing Okonkwo. Ironically, the description is a stark contrast to the opening scene. In the commissioners description, it reduces Okonkwo to a single, insignificant bit of data and that’s it. There is no mention of his life accomplishments, his struggles his family, or his rank within his clan.
When considering what it Acheebe means by bookending the story in this matter, it is comforting to know that the reader has the ability to draw their own conclusion. Many think that this technique is used to demonstrate the theme of individual versus society. Showing that society always crushes the individual who does not conform. Others believe that this bookend irony is used to demonstrate the brutal outcome of British colonialism. Today’s consciousness sees the theme of masculinity versus femininity, with the creation of the toxic masculinity label. I can see all of these themes addressed in the bookending of the story. In my view though, Okonkwo is a “celluloid hero.” He is the “regular joe” trying to make a better life for himself and his family and neighbors. He is not perfect. He makes mistakes. He suffers the consequences. But in the end, he stands for what he believes in to the point of death. The district commissioner may have only written a few words about Okonkwo, but Acheebe wrote over 200. I think Shakespeare’s Hamlet summed up Okonkwo best with his famous line,”Above all, to thine own self be true”
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