Because of Chance

Back in fifth grade was when students at BTGS got to choose either band, choir, or both. I choose band and then had the option of what instrument I would like to play. A demonstration was done using all the instruments we could play, and I liked the tuba. When it came time to choose our instrument, I wanted the tuba, but couldn't remember what it was called. Instead of asking what it was called, I guessed and called it a trombone. I was quite shy back then and instead of saying I made a mistake and named the wrong instrument, I went with trombone. At the present, I know I would have said I made a mistake as I am now more outward with what I think. Now, I love the trombone. My life has been greatly influenced by it. I have gone to band camp, been to Eastern Conference Montana Jazz Band, gotten the highest marks in music festival, and have become Vice President of the SGHS Band. Would I have done all these things if had played tuba? Maybe or maybe not, but as of right now, I am really happy with my mistake.

Achebe Final Writing

Okonkwo is a person that believes in the warrior lifestyle; conquering land, being brave, and never showing emotion. The village promotes this with feasts honoring warriors and how many people they have killed. This makes it confusing when he kills himself because a person involved in the warrior lifestyle would want to go down fighting. A possible explanation is that he thought he was saving the village. After he killed one of the messengers, the ones that escaped would surely tell their superiors and a force would come looking for Okonkwo. With Okonkwo dead, the tribe would hopefully be spared the wrath of the force.



Another option is that Okonkwo was scared that the white men would torture him. This seems unlikely because it has been proven throughout the story that Okonkwo is brave. Dying for the tribe is considered honorable, but suicide is considered evil. Spending the rest of eternity as a tortured soul that angered the gods would probably be more torturous than some painful deeds by mortal men.

Considering these options, I found it unlikely that Okonkwo commited suicide because of one of these. There is probably some reason that no one outside of Ibo society would understand. This increases the excitement of the book, making the reader want to know more about Ibo culture.