The last five chapters in part one gave a sense of balance, unlike the first 7 chapters. The first 7 chapters focused on the main character Okonkwo and how he interacted with his family and people in his village. One wouldn’t go as far to say Okonkwo was demonized but certainly there was a negative trace associated with him. Despite the negative aspect you got from Okonkwo you easily could sympathize or justify why he was this way, and reason being, his father. Okonkwo early in the book had the ability to make the reader indecisive and combative with their opinion on him. Reading the last 5 chapters displayed a positive aspect with both the main character and village as a whole. The reader was deeply submerged in the culture and practices of the village from the way they handled disputes, marriage, funerals and other ceremonial events. All of practices showed the richness and unity within the village. As the balance mentioned earlier is seen, we also saw a different side of Okonkwo. The first instance was when Okonkwo was still being heavily affected by the death of Ikemefuna although he was beginning to get over it in the start of chapter nine. Another example was when Okonkwo acted quickly to come to his daughter’s aid when she was sick. Lastly, what balanced out part one of the story, was when Enzima was taking by the Chielo which caused her mother, Ekwefi, to be scared and forced to go after Enzima to ensure she was safe. During that time Okonkwo also went to search for Enzima not once or even twice but he went four times to find Ekwefi and Enzima to then tell her “go home and sleep” because he will wait at the cave mouth for Enzima. As subtle as those events were it portrayed Okonkwo and the community in a positive light which counteracted with the previous chapters we read.
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