Ikemefuna

Okonkwo was meant to look after Ikemefuna. In place of war, a 15 year old boy and a virgin girl would be sacrificed to another villiage. Ikemefuna was the lad who was sacrificed to the Umuofia villiage by neighbors to avoid war and bloodshed. Okonkwo bonded with Ikemefuna so much that Ikemefuna started calling Okonkwo, dad. In the beginning, he is still bewildered by everything because of everything happening so quickly to him. The girl he is sacrificed with is never seen by him again. After being scared at first Ikenmefuna begins to be accustomed to the life in the household of Nwoye's mom as he is treated like an actual son of hers. Okonkwo becomes very fond of Ikemefuna but he doesnt show it due to his fear of weakness, also Okonkwo is happy that Ikemefuna has become like an older brother to Nwoye, possibly hoping that Ikemefuna can change the weaknesses of his oldest son. Not only does Okonkwo become fond of Ikemefuna but also Nwoye and the other children because he tells them many folk tales that they have never heard before. Out of all of Okonkwo's children, Ikemefuna connected mostly with Nwoye. Ikemefuna would become a older brother figure. Okonkwo's fondness toward Ikemefuna is almost an obstacle. Since any emotion other than anger is a weakness in Okonkwo's eyes, friendliness toward Ikemefuna was difficult to show. Also Ikemefuna has many skills that include making bamboo flutes and knowing how to hunt and trap rodents. Ikemefuna in time became one with Okonkwo's family and even began to call him "father." After being with Okonkwo and his family for three years he has drastically changed Nwoye to have a more masculine attitude. Then Ezeudu comes and tell Okonkwo that the oracle predicted that Ikemefuna must be killed. Ikemefuna then believes that he is being returned to his village by men of Umuofia, but he is actually being taken to die. On the path the men and Ikemefuna are confronted by a man with a machete, and Ikemefuna cried for Okonkwo's help. The oracle told Okonkwo that he was not to kill Ikemefuna but in fear of looking weak he kills Ikemefuna and commits a major sin in his tribe. Okonkwo falls into a great depression and Nwoye resents his father for killing his friend and feels remorse for killing Ikemefuna. How is Okonkwo's fear of weakness so great that he had the ability to kill a kid that he looked at like his son after 3 years? Ikemefuna has demolished Okonkwo's child's development, because of his influence.