"Mother is Supreme"

In Mbanta, Okonkwo is scolded for not understanding the Ibo proverb that “mother is supreme.” In this culture the women are known for being more caring and compassionate about everything. They are supposed to cook and look after the children. That is there main part in society. Men are more known for physical and mental strength. They have to be able to hunt and take care of their family. Men don’t really show emotions in this society. If they do they are considered “weak.” Okonkwo ignores and refused to acknowledge the “female” virtues by acting manly. He has emotion but he thinks if he shows them that he is going to be considered weak and womanly. Because of this he is rude, self-absorbed, and mean. He beats his wives and children; he never shows that he cares about them. His one-sidedness creates many problems in his life. His son ends up hating him and refusing to be his son or call him his father. His wives and children are all scared to death of his. He beat his wife on the Week of Peace, so now the earth goddess supposedly will give him a bad year of crops. He just has a lot of problems because he only shows the “manly” side of himself. In a way, I think that makes him womanlier because he is afraid of what people would think. He just needs to show some emotion and maybe his life would make a turn for the better. Instead of getting worse like it has been.