No Longer at Ease

No Longer at Ease Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Symbol: Ogbuefi Okonkwo

Obi's grandfather is a symbol of an authentic and powerful Igbo man who is true to his culture and country.

Motif: the written word

The written word is associated with the white man, the Westerner, the colonizer. Throughout the text, writing is associated with those such as Isaac, who adhere to the white man's culture and religion.

Motif: paralysis

Obi is often incapable of thinking, responding, or decisively acting in the major crises of his life.

Symbol: the palm-nut shell

The palm kernel, with its white and black nuts, represents Obi's divided self.