The author Achhebe creates tension and sympathy for the reader throughout the scenes of Ikemefuna’s leaving, journey and death, in the novel “Things Fall Apart
...nkwo is anxious about the death and if he was slow in his preparations we would see that is feels uneasy about his death. This again portrays irony. We can see the Achhebe’s illustrating tension and sympathy, “a deathly silence” we can see this creating tension because of everyone’s anxiety; they cannot speak and therefore are “dead like”. We can see this creating sympathy because the whole village knows what is going to happen to Ikemefuna. Another piece of irony was when Ikemefuna was made to carry the palm wine, this created sympathy because he’s going to die yet he is the one to do most of the work. A very effective illustration of sympathy was portrayed when Achhebe described Nwoye’s reaction to Ikemefuna’s assumed death. “Tears stood in his eyes” the tears standing in Nwoye’s eyes are more effective than the tears that would be falling from eyes because his emotions are stronger and we can see his feelings are less attention seeking and more personal. There is again more irony conveyed in the way the beginning of the journey is described. “The men talked and laughed” again this shows irony because of what is coming is not something they should be laughing at. “Silence fell upon them” this illustrates tension as the closer they get the more awkward they feel. “Ikemefuna heard a whisper close behind him and turned around sharply”, this creates tension because, and it makes the reader question the whisper. Achebe portrays Ikemefuna’s feelings in various ways throughout the passage, “Although he had felt uneasy at first, he was not afraid now”. Ikemefuna’s acceptance ...