Suicide Marks Victory

Whether one be Jewish, Christian, Islamic what have you; suicide is recurrently viewed as the most deplorable sin that potentially sends one straight to hell with no return.  Conversely, there are certain circumstances where one’s suicide can conclude them as a martyr.   Thus, different suicides we have read throughout the year can also take on the same label.  The characters of Edna Pontellier  (The Awakening) and Okonkwo (Things Fall Apart) took their own lives in order to free them from oppression, and to give their lives for either “themselves” or for the good of their people. 

Although suicide is frowned upon in Okonkwo’s culture, he carries through with the act to prove to the Christians that even though they have invaded their land, they will never replace the leadership role he has developed over time.  Over the years, he has grown to have great strength both mentally and physically.  Though suicide is seen as a sign of weakness, Okonkwo’s people still looked up to him.  No one in their culture has provided such heavily influence as him.  Okonkwo chooses to take his own life by hanging himself with his own hands so that the Christians won’t have control over his life too.  In a way, his act can be seen as both strength and surrender.  However, he still refuses to give in to the Christians who have ruined his village and peoples’ way of life.

The most memorable quote in The Awakening is when Edna declares, “I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children: but I wouldn’t give myself.”  While women during Edna’s time were more concerned with conforming to the few rights and unfair place in life that they have been given, Edna realizes her individualism is far more important than anything else.  She sees that she can only live once, and comes to the understanding that she cannot live the life she truly wants to live without being declared an outcast; another lifestyle she would not feel comfortable living.   I believe this suicide is a very courageous and triumphant move for Edna, because the value of human life is so precious, and the value of a life well lived is even more so.  Because Edna was honest with herself, she ended her life passionately and in the proper place.

Even though we view suicide bombing as a terrible act, in certain parts of the Islamic culture, it is viewed as a very admirable deed. Suicide bombers have spread over the years throughout the Middle East to Russia and even in to some parts of the United States.  Similar bombings occurred during World War II with the Japanese Kamikaze.  Both cultures view suicide bombing as an act of self-sacrifice.  As I had mentioned in my previous blog post, what we see as being bad, other cultures are “okay” with, and continue to abide by those standards for that is what they have been surrounded by their entire lives.  Therefore, while we may mourn for the deaths of those who have been killed by the suicide bomber, we do not mourn for the death of the suicide bomber themselves.  I’m not saying that we should or should not; personally, I think it is so sad to see people being brainwashed by such a violent culture.  However, we cannot criticize those who participate in the act, for they do not know any better, and they only have good intentions, though it does not appear to be so.

Though we have read and criticized the suicides of other characters such as Nana, we still see the deaths for Okonkwo and Edna as being honorable.  Though suicide is seen as an act of selfishness, these characters have allowed us to adapt that definition to being an act of selflessness.  I normally disagree with the act of suicide, but when I put myself in the place of these characters, I feel as if it is the right choice to make depending on the circumstances.  I’m sure others still continue to see suicide as being “bad”, but these novels have attempted to allow suicide to take upon a whole new meaning.