While Okonkwo never directly states how important it is to him that he be seen as strong, it is implied repeatedly throughout the novel through narrative technique and dialogue. Okonkwo on more than one occasion derides his son for being weak: enjoying his mother's stories as opposed to the men's: "he told them stories of the land "masculine stories of violence and bloodshed. Nwoye knew it was right to be masculine and to be violent, but somehow he still preferred the stories his mother used to tell"" (pp. 37-38).
Resembling his grandfather too much as we see on page 24: "I will not have a son who cannot hold up his head in the gathering of the clan. I would sooner strangle him with my own hands. And if you stand staring at me like that, Amadiora will break your head for you. "Okonkwo is trying to destroy all signs of laziness in his son, specifically because he is beginning to resemble Okonkwo's father. Perhaps Okonkwo's most defining moment is when he is asked to kill his adopted son, Ikemefuna: "He heard Ikemefuna cry, "My father, they have killed me!' as he ran towards him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak"" (p. 43).
Despite the suggestion that it is bad karma, and despite the fact that he did in fact love his new found child, he plays an active part in the murder because he does not want the other men to think him a coward. To not only commit a murder but to murder your own beloved child out of fear is the greatest show of cowardice Okonkwo portrays.
Okonkwo's final act, a suicide, can be understood as a fearful act as well. Suicide by definition is an escape. To take one's own life is to be so afraid of the future that it literally scares you to death. This is yet another example of Okonkwo's weakness. He is so petrified of change and lack of control that in his single act, he forfeits everything that he spent his life building.
