Enoch is
depicted as a zealous Christian convert who is antagonistic and hostile toward others. Enoch's
father was a snake-priest, and there were rumors that Enoch killed the sacred python. Under Mr.
Brown's leadership, Enoch's energy and excessive zeal are restrained. Achebe describes Enoch by
saying:
His feet were short and broad, and when he stood
or walked his heels came together and his feet opened outwards as if they had quarreled and
meant to go in different directions (144)
Once Mr. Brown
leaves the region, Mr. Smith takes over and encourages his followers with excessive zeal to
express themselves and challenge those living in sin. Enoch takes his instructions to heart and
sparks the great conflict between the white Europeans and the villagers by unmasking an
egwugwu during a ceremony. His action disrupts the entire village, and the
tribe responds by burning the Christian church. Violence erupts, and the Europeans send their
reinforcements to Umuofia.
Enoch's character resembles theof the story: .
Similar to Enoch, Okonkwo is an aggressive, violent man who is passionate and hostile toward
others. Both men are impetuous and act before thinking. Enoch and Okonkwo both commit violent
acts which have devastating consequences.
Enoch unmasking an ancestral spirit
directly leads to conflict between the villagers and the Christian missionaries, and Okonkwo
beheading a messenger influences him to commit suicide. Both characters' violent, rigid
personalities contribute to their fatal mistakes, which negatively affect their village. Through
Enoch and Okonkwo's characters, Achebe illustrates the consequences of intolerance, violence,
and excessive zeal.
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