Ekwefi. Ekwefi Character Analysis 2022-10-28

Ekwefi is a character in the African novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. She is the second wife of Okonkwo, the protagonist of the novel, and mother to one of his daughters, Ezinma.

Throughout the novel, Ekwefi is depicted as a strong and independent woman who defies societal expectations and traditions. In the Igbo culture, which is the setting of the novel, women are expected to be subservient to their husbands and to prioritize the well-being of their families over their own desires. However, Ekwefi challenges these expectations and is unafraid to speak her mind and assert her own needs and desires.

One example of Ekwefi's strength and independence is her decision to leave Okonkwo and start a new life after he accidentally kills their daughter during a fit of rage. Despite the stigma and hardship that come with being a divorced woman in her culture, Ekwefi is willing to take the risk in order to protect herself and her remaining children from Okonkwo's violent outbursts.

Another aspect of Ekwefi's character is her deep love and devotion to her daughter, Ezinma. Despite the challenges she faces as a woman in a male-dominated society, Ekwefi fiercely defends and supports Ezinma's right to an education and a better future. She even goes against the wishes of her husband and the community by taking Ezinma to a diviner in the hopes of finding a cure for her chronic illness.

Ekwefi's character serves as a representation of the resilience and strength of women in the face of adversity. She is a complex and multi-faceted character who refuses to be defined by the expectations of her culture and instead follows her own path. Despite the challenges she faces, Ekwefi remains a strong and independent woman who stands up for herself and those she loves.