Final answer:
Okonkwo feels akin to happiness due to his psychological victory over the challenges of slavery that rekindles his spirit of freedom and dignity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The feelings akin to happiness that the author describes in the character Okonkwo are rooted in a triumph over adversity and a reclaiming of personal agency. As the character battles against the formidable challenge of slavery, he experiences a profound transformation. The answer to why Okonkwo feels "akin to happiness" lies in his emotional and psychological victory that comes from resisting oppression and asserting his own identity. This feeling of happiness is not due to reconciliation with his family, achieving great wealth, finding true love, nor from conquering enemies in a traditional sense. Rather, it stems from Okonkwo's rediscovery of his strength and resolve to maintain his dignity and freedom in the face of enslavement.