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When Okonkwo arrived at Obierika’s obi, Obierika did not bring up the death of Ikemefuna, but Okonkwo did, which led the two men into an argument about why Okonkwo thought he had to be the one to kill Ikemefuna. When Okonkwo is forced into exile in Mbanta, Obierika sells Okonkwo’s yams and seed yams. During Okonkwo’s second year in exile Obierika came to visit him, bringing two young men carrying two heavy bags. In these two heavy bags were Okonkwo’s profits from his yams that Obierika had been selling. Before his departure back to Umuofia, Obierika promises to keep farming and selling Okonkwo’s yams until his return to his fatherland.
Nwakibie, a great man of the village of Umuofia, is well respected by Okonkwo and many others within the clan. He is the one that helps Okonkwo get on his feet by giving him a share cropping contract. Nwakibie was a wealthy man in Okonkwo’s village; therefore Okonkwo went to him for help. Okonkwo had already cleared the land needed to farm, but was asking Nwakibie for the seed yams needed to be sown. Okonkwo assured Nwakibie that he was not afraid of work that he could be trusted and he would not fail him. Nwakibie replied to Okonkwo’s request by telling him that “It pleases me to see a young man like you these days when our youth has gone so soft (Achebe21).” Nwakibie also assured Okonkwo that he trusted him, he could “tell a ripe corn by its looks (Achebe22)” and Okonkwo did not have these looks. He had the looks of a strong trustworthy and independent individual. Therefore, Nwakibie gave
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Okonkwo twice four hundred yams. He knew that Nwakibie would not deny him the yams but he had not expected him to give him more than four hundred seeds. Nwakibie did this because he put trust into Okonkwo that he would work hard and prosper from his help.
Uchendu, who is Okonkwo’s maternal uncle, welcomed him to his motherland and guided him through his exile. When Okonkwo arrived in Mbanta to carry out his exile, Uchendu sensed his discouragement and despair. As a result, Uchendu made plans to speak to Okonkwo, in front of all his children, about why a man should return back to his motherland when he feels like he is by himself. Uchendu advised Okonkwo that although he is in despair he still needs to comfort his family and prepare them for his eventual return to Umuofia. But to meanwhile, accept the support of his kinsmen while he is in Mbanta. Uchendu let Okonkwo know that many men suffer more serious setbacks and are sometimes banished for life.
Despite Okonkwo’s negative attitude Obierika, Nwakibie, and Uchendu have remained the three positive influences in his life. After all the obstacles Okonkwo has had to overcome Obierika never stopped being his best friend, even throughout his seven years in exile. When Okonkwo had now one else to turn to for guidance Nwakibie, was the one he knew would trust and guide him until he got on his feet. While in exile, Uchendu helped Okonkwo understand whey he
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was not the greatest sufferer like he thought he was. Hearing this from Uchendu helped Okonkwo and his family make it through their seven year exile in Mbanta. Irregardless of how other members of the village may have perceived Okonkwo, these three individuals have each helped Okonkwo in their own way, despite his being so pessimistic and narrow-minded.
Bibliography
1. Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Doubleday, 1959.
