"Okonkwo cleared his throat and moved his feet to the beat of the drums. It filled him with fire as it had always done from his youth. He trembled with the desire to conquer and subdue. It was like the desire for woman" (Achebe 42).
Part II: How is imperialism encouraged by patriotism, religion, &/or a sense of cultural/
racial superiority in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart / the past?
Okonkwo is a perfect representation of a man who is constantly seeking power and superiority over others. Because of Okonkwo's past, being the son of an unsuccessful and weak man, he constantly seeks to sustain his rank by making sure nothing threatens his social status. Although Okonkwo has many wives and a good number of yams, he still fears that he could lose it all and become like his father. Okonkwo's father (Unoka) was a horrible role model who in turn has created fear in Okonkwo, the fear of becoming like his father. This fear has created anger in Okonkwo as well which is evident when he beats his wives for minor wrongdoings. Because of the time period, beating one's wives was not considered immoral because a man's wife was like a man's property. Therefore, Okonkwo constantly takes out his anger on his wives, and in turn feels a sense of superiority and power after doing so.
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