Why is ikemefuna important

In those three years, he grows very close to Okonkwo's family, especially Nwoye. Okonkwo even prefers him to his true son Nwoye, considering Ikemefuna to be a promising, hard-working young man.

His murder, in which Okonkwo takes a part, haunts Okonkwo throughout the book. From the very beginning, Ikemefuna is the ultimate victim; his fate is completely out of his control since he is taken away by his family so early in life for a crime which he had no part in, nor any knowledge of.

In his new life, Ikemefuna is subject to the whims of his new father and the Umuofia elders, in whose hands his fate ultimately lies. He joins in killing Ikemefuna because he is afraid of being weak, yet he is haunted by his decision and it also permanently emotionally distances him from Nwoye.

Chinua Achebe in Things Fall Apart shows the murder of a young innocent boy named Ikemefuna as an emblem of sacrifice before Umofia earth Gods. His death deeply affects Okonkwo,who serves as a metonymic figure and an epitome of the clan. Ikemefuna comes to Umuofia during the Week of Peace. While living with Okonkwo, Ikemefuna becomes like a son to Okonkwo.

In fact, he is more of a son than Nwoye is. Ikemefuna is talented. He is hard working. He is a great hunter. Okonkwo admires Ikemefuna. He realizes that Ikemefuna is a good role model for Nwoye.

Ikemefuna teaches Nwoye how to be a man. Okonkwo begins loving Ikemefuna as his very own son. Okonkwo truly appreciates Ikemefuna for teaching Nwoye to be a man. Okonkwo takes part in killing Ikemefuna. Okonkwo participates in the ceremony for sacrificing the boy after being strongly discouraged, and he delivers the death blow because he is "afraid of being thought weak.

Okonkwo has not only outwardly disregarded his people and their traditions, but he has also disregarded his inner feelings of love and protectiveness. This deep abyss between Okonkwo's divided selves accounts for the beginning of his decline.

For the first time in the novel, Okonkwo's son, Nwoye, emerges as a major character who, in contrast to his father, questions the long-standing customs of the clan. Achebe begins to show the boy's conflicting emotions; he is torn between being a fiercely masculine and physically strong person to please his father and allowing himself to cherish values and feelings that Okonkwo considers feminine and weak.

Eze elina, elina a favorite song of Ikemefuna's about how Danda the ant holds court and how the sand dances forever; it was introduced as a story at the end of Chapter 4. Here, according to Igbo custom, twins are considered evil and must be placed in earthenware pots and left to die in the forest.

Previous Chapter 6. Next Chapter 8. Removing book from your Reading List will also remove any bookmarked pages associated with this title. Are you sure you want to remove bookConfirmation and any corresponding bookmarks? My Preferences My Reading List. Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe. Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 7.