There can be no doubt that Ikemefuna's death deeply affected both Okonkwo and Nwoye. Despite their passive exteriors, Okonkwo and Nwoye experience strong grief. Okonkwo's sadness is detected by the fact that he "sat still for a very long time" (p. 50) after he received the news that Ikemefuna would be killed and especially in his two day fast following Ikemefuna's murder. However, Okonkwo attempted to hide his upset emotions from others by assisting in the killing of Ikemefuna. Okonkwo tries to distract himself from his inner torment by focusing on external activities and believes that all "he required was something to occupy his mind" (p. 60). Yet, for all this, it cannot be denied that Okonkwo's desire for distraction stems from the interior wounds caused by his loss.
In comparison, Nyowe's quiet appearance is caused by his inner despair. Achebe states that Nyowe's wound is like "the snapping of a tightened bow" (p. 53). Nyowe had continually sprung back after his father's rebukes, but the blow of his best friend's death, like that of the realization that innocent infants were left to die, leaves an irreparable injury on Nyowe's spirit. Through this simple simile, Achebe is implying that Nyowe cannot recover from the darkness that has fallen over his life.
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