How Was Okonkwo Different From His Father

From the very beginning of his life, Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart was different from his other tribesmen. His father was seen as a failure to the tribe. He was a poor man and was in heavy debt (Achebe 5). Due to the way his father lived his life “Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men usually had. He did not inherit a barn from his father. There was no barn to inherit” (16). Unlike the rest of the children in the tribe, Okonkwo had to build up his wealth on his own. Despite his disadvantage, Okonkwo manages to become a powerful person in his tribe. He took two titles, three wives, proved himself in two inter-tribal wars, and was the greatest wrestler in all of the villages (8). Though he had little to start, he was able to gain a little help from fellow tribesmen because he had proven himself to be hardworking and trustworthy (22).

Okonkwo became afraid that he would become like his father. He decided that he would hate gentleness and idleness, things that his father loved (13). He also began to look down on those he thought were weak, even calling a man with no titles that spoke against him a woman (26). Although he treats others harshly for being weak, he treats himself even more harshly in an effort to never appear weak. Okonkwo is unable to show any affection towards his family, believing it to be a sign of weakness (28). He is also unable to feel happiness towards celebrations, as he feels uncomfortable if he is not working (37). However, there are times when his obsession with appearing strong causes him to hurt himself instead. His fear leads him to accompany the group taking Ikemefuna away to be killed and ultimately kills the boy himself (61). With his own hands he killed the boy that had lived with him for three