years old, and also by offering a virgin to the man whose wife had been killed. Knowing that the Umuofia tribe was very powerful, the choice of paying restitution was made. The young man, named Ikemfuna, was sent to live with Okonkwo, because he was considered a leader of the community. Ikemfuna remains with Okonkwo and his family for some time; and although Okonkwo refuses to admit it, he begins to feel fond of the boy. Ikemfuna becomes especially close with Okonkwo’s eldest son, Nwoye; and the two boys spend every moment together. As time passes, Ikemfuna is even considered to be one of the family; until one day, Okonkwo receives word that it is time for Ikemfuna to be brought back to Mbaino and killed. Although this is a time of strife for Okonkwo, he shows no emotion and leads Ikemfuna and the Umuofia people back to Mbaino to participate in this brutal ceremony. When they reach their destination, Ikemfuna is hit by a machete, and when he runs to Okonkwo for help, Okonkwo delivers the final blow that kills the young boy whom he considered a son. “He heard Ikemfuna cry, ‘My father, they have killed me!’, as he ran toward him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.” (p. 60) This causes great upset in his family, and especially traumatizes Nwoye; but Okonkwo still seems unfazed. It is at this point in the novel where one can see just how strong Okonkwo’s obsession with masculinity is. Gemma 3The disguise of Okonkwo’s emotions also affects his status in the community. When the leader of the tribe, Ezeudu, dies, a great funeral is planned to honor him. The whole Umuofia tribe attends this elaborate ceremony, which is complete with drums and cannons. After a day of mourning, the ceremony begins to close. Drums are beaten and the cannon is fired. Engrossed in the ceremony, Okonkwo fires his own gun, which explodes, shooting a piece of iron...
