okonkwo and his wives Flashcards
Okonkwo believes that he is allowed to beat his wives as they are inferior to them
Okonkwo beats his wives to relieve stress.
Influence by Igbo society Okonkwo believes that women would have to take care of children, livestock, serving food and cleaning
And when she returned he beat her very heavily. In his anger he had forgotten that it was the Week of Peace. His first two wives ran out in great alarm pleading with him that it was the sacred week. But Okonkwo was not the man to stop beating somebody half-way through, not even for fear of a goddess.
Ekwefi had cut off several leaves “to wrap some food, and she said so. Without further argument, Okonkwo gave her a sound beating and left her and her only daughter weeping”
Who are Okonkwo’s wives?
Okonkwo has 3 wives, Nwoye’s mother (never named), Ekwefi (2nd wife), Ojiugo
how many children did ekwefi have
Ekwefi had borne ten children and nine of them had died in infancy, usually before the age of three. As she buried one child after another her sorrow gave way to despair and then to grim resignation.
3 of Ekwefi’s sons had died before Enzinma was finally born.
‘”Sit like a woman!” Okonkwo shouted at her. Ezinma brought her two legs together and stretched them in front of her.’
Okonkwo was extremely controlling of his wives, he expected them to act a certain way, in order to keep his reputation up.
Okonkwo wouldn’t show any sign of affection, even towards his wives or children. Since it was a sign of weakness. He only married his wives since, the more wives you have the more respected you are. Following the traditions and practices of Igbo society would also result in an increase in status (Women being inferior to Men)
‘Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it was the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness,-the only thing worth demonstrating was strength.’
