3. 3. Method of the Study
This thesis uses library study as the gathering data method. There are two main sources that support the writer in conducting this thesis. The first is the
novel itself as the primary data. The second is the data that are used to support the analysis, such as theories and the data that the writer takes from the library and the
electronic sources. In conducting this research, the writer takes some steps. The first step is
the writer read the novel several times to get better understanding. Second, the writer decided the topic that the writer wanted to discuss, that is the reasons of the
main character, Okonkwo, to commit suicide. Third, the writer looked for some references and theories that are related to the topic that the writer wanted to
discuss. The fourth step was analyzing the novel. The writer analyzed the characterization of Okonkwo as the main character of the novel. Besides
discussing Okonkwos characteristic, the analysis also discussed about reasons of the main character, Okonkwo, to commit suicide. The last step was drawing the
conclusion of the study based on the result of the analysis.
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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter discusses two problem stated in chapter one. The first analysis deals with the descriptions of Okonkwos personalities. The second
analysis is conducted to know the reasons of Okonkwo in committing suicide.
4. 1. The Description of Okonkwos Personality
There are some conditions that influence Okonkwos personalities in the novel. Chinua Achebe, the author of the novel, describes the personalities of
Okonkwo through his personal description, character as seen by another speech, past life, conversation of others, reactions, thought and mannerism Murphy,
1972: 161-193. The personalities of Okonkwo were described very clearly by using the theory of characterization. In order to determine Okonkwos
personalities, the writer also uses the theory of Hurlock 1974: 137-354. This theory
is employed
to determine
Okonkwos personalities.
Okonkwos personalities are formed by his physical, intellectual, emotional, social, aspiration
and achievement, educational and the last is family determinant. Not all of Hurlocks theory will be used to determine Okonkwos personalities, but only the
theories that have the closest understanding to Okonkwos personalities. The fear of Unokas failure and weakness has covered Okonkwos life
since he was a boy. The domination of this fear in his life is so great. Then, it makes he grows to be a very stern man. He is willing to rule his life rigorously in
order to avoid his fathers mistake. By hard working, Okonkwo can achieve his success and fame. He wants other people to admire and appreciate his success.
The conflict against his fathers misfortune also makes him as a man who cannot accept any failure and weakness. He is a superior man in his village, especially in
his family. These are two of Okonkwos personalities, which dominate his reasons
why he commits suicide in the end of the story.
4. 1. 1. Fear of failure
Achebe never reveals Okonkwos character when he was a kid since the very beginning of Things Fall Apart. The story is opened when Okonkwo has
achieved all his glorious moments. As a very successful man, Okonkwo needs a long process to achieve his glory. Okonkwos turning point is his past time when
he has a conflict against his father. It is his hatred and fear toward his fathers failure and weakness. This conflict also has a significant role in making
Okonkwos character. Little Okonkwo was treated so badly just because of his fathers failure
and weakness. He lost his happy childhood. He was very sad because most of his playmates did not accept him friendly. As an innocent boy, he had to take all
mockeries just because he was a son of an empty man, an agbala. That is why Okonkwo promises to himself that he does not want to be like his father. He
hates his father and everything that represents his fathers failure and weakness.
