Okonkwo Masculinity

Culture represents change and the need to adapt even if identity is only noticeable after maturing. Things Fall Apart a novel by Chinua Achebe, showcases the distress of many characters from the Ibo tribe in Nigeria as their culture changes due to western civilization. Okonkwo portrays a conceited and self-willed character. However his eldest son, Nwoye, after tying his whole life to prove himself to his father, in the end, he contradicts most of Okonkwo’s beliefs and morals. When it comes to religion, Nwoye takes his place away from his father and follows his own beliefs and morals. In the end, Nwoye wins as he converts religion, and leaves his violent father behind. Nwoye’s sense of identity changes for the better after the beginning of Christianity

Okonkwo, being a strong man and a man of mere instinct reflects poorly on his relationship with his son, Nwoye. Throughout the book, the relationship between Okonkwo and Nwoye continues to be rambunctious. This relationship continues going downhill, each small step shows the differences between the two characters. One difference being Okonkwo’s masculinity, the other Nwoye’s lack of masculinity. Okonkwo often times states, “‘I have done my best to make Nwoye grow into a man, but there is too much of his mother in him”’(Achebe 66). Without regard to his son’s feelings, and his son’s morals Okonkwo continues to constrain Nwoye from anything he likes to do. Okonkwo only visualizes a man as masculine, and no sense of weakness. Nwoye however has much kinder characteristics, and disproves his father’s masculinity and ultimately makes up his mind to leave his family and

For instance he does not need to abide by his father’s dictatorial rules, and is able to listen to his heart and no longer needs to worry about anyone’s opinion. He still worries about pleasing his father so he changed his name, “Nwoye, who was now called Isaac, to the new training college for teachers in Umuru. And he had hoped that Okonkwo would be happy to hear of it. But Okonkwo had driven him away with the threat that if he came into his compound again, he would be carried out of it” (Achebe 182). This describes how Nwoye still wants his father to appreciate him, but his father does not acknowledge his effort, instead insults him. Nwoye is also forbidden from entering his father’s premises. Furthermore, Nwoye learns from his hardships and tries to find a way to make himself and his family happy, he quickly learns there is no such median. Moreover, Nwoye’s valiant behavior helps him get through the tough and cruel times in his life. Detaching from family does not mean losing one’s personality as shown by Nwoye but finding