Things Fall Apart Question 7

"His life had been ruled by great passion--to become one of the lords of the clan. That had been his life-spring. And he all but had achieved it. Then everything had been broken. He had been cast out of his clan like a fish onto a dry, sandy beach, panting" (131).

In Okonkwo's eyes, his life had been ruined. Do you feel sorry for him? Why or why not? Was excommunication from the clan a appropriate punishment? Why or why not? Do you think Okonkwo takes appropriate responsibility for his choices? Why or why not?

I do not feel sorry for Okonkwo because he treated everyone badly. He thought that everyone was below him and he had succeeded. I do feel badly for his children, however, because he did get exiled. He was kicked out and he was so powerful. I feel sorry for his children because they have to build from the bottom to the top like he had to. I do not feel that excommunication was appropriate because he did not mean to do it. If they had to exile him, why for seven years? I do not understand why they exiled him even though it was a "woman's" crime. It was a accident, he did not mean to do it, so why did they exile him completely? I feel that Okonkwo does not take full responsibility for his actions however, he always blames it on his "chi", this means he can never admit he was wrong or it was his fault. I admit that the gun that exploded was not his fault, however it was not his "chi" either, it could have happened to anyone. He always blames things on other people or his "chi". This is why I do not think he takes full responsibility.