Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008
Page: 207
Quote: "It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offense against the Earth, and a man who commits it will not be buried by his clansmen. His body is evil, and only strangers may touch it. That is why we ask your people to bring him down, because you are strangers."
This quote struck me in a a despairing way. It was an abomination for a man to take his own life. It was an offense against the Earth. They could not be buried by his clansmen, for only strangers could touch it. They would place him in the evil forest, and there his body would rot and decay. His body was evil, for the evil act he had done. He had hanged himself, and therefore became evil. It was an offense against Christianity also, so with much trepidation they brought him down. As soon as the missionary spotted Okonkwo he immediately changed his tone, and became sincere.
Page: 208
Quote: "That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself, and now he will be buried like a dog. . . . " He could not say any more. his voice trembled and choked his words.
Obierika was choked up at Okonkwo's death. He stated that Okonkwo was one of the greatest men in Umuofia, and that they drove him to kill himself. Okonkwo would be buried like a dog. His body would be placed in the evil forest by stranger's hands, and there would be no legend of him. He would receive no titles, and his son Nwoye would pass on Christianity to his grandchildren. His family would be corrupt, his friends would be devastated, and he would be no more. Without Okonkwo the missionaries and their converts would take over the clans, and forcibly end all traditions.
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