As mentined in an earlier post, Okonkwo is a strong, determined man that refuses to display any emotions in order to not appear weak. After Ezeuda tells Okonkwo not to be apart of Ikemefuna's death Okonkwo has a great conflict within himself as to what he should do about the situation, and he is put into deep contemplation, "Okonkwo sat still for a very long time supporting his chin in his palms" (50). Ultimately the decision comes down to whether he will let his pride overcome his emotion, as wants to remain manly and fierce, but he has also become attached to Ikemefuna as his own son. On the walk into the forest Okonkwo moved to the back of the line of men, thus suggesting that he can't come to terms with the idea of killing Ikemefuna and wants to distance himself from the situation. At the last minute as a man spontaneously sliced Ikemefuna with his machete, Okonkwo runs in to finish his death, showing that Okonkwo was acting in the moment "dazed with fear" (53). Additionally, the audience understands that from his heart Okonkwo didn't want to commit the murder. Altogether, Okonkwo's public image was more important to him than his emotional relationships, for his final deciding factor was that "he was afraid of being thought weak" (53). However, it should be understood that Okonkwo was affected by his actions, for it had a great emotional tole on Okonkwo. He "did not taste any food for two days after the death of Ikemefuna" (55); therefore, he couldn't forgive himself internally for what he did.
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