Read this sentence from Chapter 17 and answer the question. Okonkwo was popularly called the "Roaring Flame." As he looked into the log fire he recalled the name. He was a flaming fire. How then could he have begotten a son like Nwoye, degenerate and effeminate? ... He sighed heavily, and as if in sympathy the smoldering log also sighed. And immediately Okonkwo's eyes were opened and he saw the whole matter clearly. Living fire begets cold, impotent ash. He sighed again, deeply. What is the author's main purpose in using figurative language in this excerpt?

to imply Okonkwo's thoughts indirectlyto explain a folktaleto avoid going into a long explanation about the father-son dynamics of Okonkwo and Nwoyeto entertain by using symbols and metaphors

Question

Keyon Zuniga

English

11 January, 18:29

Read this sentence from Chapter 17 and answer the question. Okonkwo was popularly called the "Roaring Flame." As he looked into the log fire he recalled the name. He was a flaming fire. How then could he have begotten a son like Nwoye, degenerate and effeminate? ... He sighed heavily, and as if in sympathy the smoldering log also sighed. And immediately Okonkwo's eyes were opened and he saw the whole matter clearly. Living fire begets cold, impotent ash. He sighed again, deeply. What is the author's main purpose in using figurative language in this excerpt?

to imply Okonkwo's thoughts indirectlyto explain a folktaleto avoid going into a long explanation about the father-son dynamics of Okonkwo and Nwoyeto entertain by using symbols and metaphors

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Lauren Forbes · Answer 1

Ok so I read this book and its one of my favorites! Sorry that's off topic but anyways ... He's called the roaring flame because he gets angry easily while he son is cool headed. If anyone thinks that Okonkwo is wrong, he has a problem and thinks that person is stupid. Okonkwo thinks his son is mentally ill because he is following Christianity and he hates the Christians. Okonkwo's father was irresponsible and he did not want to be like him. That's why he is so hostile because his father was very gentle.