Context: In this moment in the novel, the t0wn is celebrating the week of peace. During the week of peace, Okonkwo’s wife, Ojiugo gets her hair plaited and does not come home in time to cook Okonkwo and the kids a meal. In the heat of the situation, he forgot it was the week of peace and when his wife got back, he beat her “very heavily”.

Despite being the son of Unoka, a man who was afraid of blood and hard work.  A man would borrow crops and never repay people back, and a man who the community described as a burden and an ‘agbala’ or woman, Okonkwo refused to be anything like his father. Because of this, Okonkwo decided to hate everything his father liked and become a warrior as his father could not. Okonkwo was known throughout the town to have a hot temper and poor self-control. But as a warrior and hard worker, he was well respected. As the week of peace arrived, Okonkwo was provoked by his youngest wife. When she fails to arrive home, Okonkwo quickly became heated. After not arriving home, his other wife lies to his face making Okonkwo even more enraged. Okonkwo refused to be like his father.  He would not allow such an action to pass without intervening. In the heat of the moment, Okonkwo forgot that it was the week of peace and made the irrational decision to beat his wife, Ojiugo. This action by Okonkwo shows how he truly values his power and control over others. Even his own family. He is willing to be punished greatly in order to assert his dominance. The act of committing a violent act during the week of peace demonstrates his clear lack of self-control that he is known for, as well as showing that he is not afraid of blood and violence. Something that his father could not take part in. Okonkwo’s motivation to beat his wife is clear as he wants to show off his manliness and strength, in a setting where manliness is a key part of life.