What Is Chi? Explain The Importance Of Chi In Shaping Okonkwo's Destiny?

Chi is the personal god or the inner saviour. Both Chi and Okonkwo are mentioned in Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart. The book deals with the daily life and traditional beliefs and customs of a tribesman from the Ibo tribe. These beliefs and traditions were extremely strong and they governed their daily lives a great extent.

The most important spirit to be revered by the Ibo was the chi or personal god. It was considered to be a protector spirit and can be likened to a guardian angel. It could take the form of a grandfather for males and in the case of females a chi could be a beloved grandmother.

Okonkwo is the central character in Things Fall Apart and his devotion to chi shapes his destiny. Okonowo is very afraid of showing any kind of weakness or failure. After he murders a messenger from the British office his chi cannot change what lies ahead. He then realizes that he will neither get support from his fellow tribesman nor will he be able to prevent the British from colonising his village. Ashamed and disgraced he committed suicide.

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