3 Important TFA Moments

One of the three most important events in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, is Okonkwo's suicide. I believe this is one of the most important events in the novel as in a way, it shows us Okonkwo's stubborn resolve. He will not change from his ideals and ways. Throughout the novel we see Okonkwo power through strife, doing his best to stick to his ideals and be unlike his father in every way possible. He resents weakness and is strong through the whole story. So to see Okonkwo give into despair and take his own life is a complete twist, a great sin to his culture and to many a sign of weakness. An interesting note however, is that it can also be seen as an act of strength. The strength of Okonkwo's resolve to remain on his own path. We see his final act as the novel's tragic hero as he refuses to allow the influence of foreign powers to influence his lifestyle.

The second important moment, is the moment Okonkwo cuts down Ikemefuna. He has agreed to have him killed after some internal struggle when the boy becomes more important to Okonkwo. The Oracle advises against Okonkwo committing the murder himself. In their culture, listening to the Oracle is crucial but as Ikemefuna runs in fear to his father figure for protection, he is betrayed and he is cut down by Okonkwo. Okonkwo afterwards says that even though he disobeyed the Oracle, he did so out of the fear of being considered weak. Though we see Okonkwo's dedication to his culture, we also show the development of our tragic hero as he is still human. Regardless of the weakness he suppresses, the events still have an effect on him. 

Finally, is Okonkwo's youth. I feel as though this is a crucial part of the story to take note of. Although it is not a focus of the novel, it is mentioned in the story for a reason and it gives us insight to Okonkwo's behaviour. The lack of a powerful figure and success Okonkwo saw in his father brought him to resent him. This hatred fueled Okonkwo's success and results in many plot points and conflict in the story. Okonkwo's hate of being weak or sentimental like his father drives him to be the character he is in the novel.