Ikemefuna’s part in the first seven chapters of Things Fall Apart portrays the complexity of family traits by stirring internal conflict within Okonkwo that causes him to question the value of family. Okonkwo did not have grounded qualities to take from his lazy, irresponsible father, Unoka. This forces him to build up the masculine traits that he values strongly for his family, especially strength and independence. When discussing the boy, Ikemefuna, who he is forced to care for, Okonkwo says, “I will not have a son [Ikemefuna] who cannot hold up his head in the gathering of the clan” (Achebe 29). Okonkwo believes that without these traits, a man could not participate fully in society. Okonkwo presumes that since Ikemefuna did not yet show …show more content…
When Okonkwo's family is faced with a struggle, Okonkwo lets fear rule over his actions of his family’s protection. Okonkwo’s inner thoughts are revealed; “He tried not to think about Ikemefuna, but the more he tried, the more he thought about him” (Achebe 54). Okonkwo, although he seldom openly shows it, cares about his family. After Ikemefuna’s murder, Okonkwo’s true feelings are brought forth by the weak afterthoughts of the son he had grown to care for. Okonkwo’s fear of weakness is an internal conflict that affects Okonkwo through the book. Okonkwo’s fear ends up dominating his actions, putting his family in danger. He fears being perceived as weak by the elders of the tribe, whom he greatly respects and admires, resulting in him partaking in the murder of Ikemefuna. Although Ikemefuna had begun to show Okonkwo’s valued traits of strength and independence, Okonkwo's fear overtakes him, and he kills the boy whom he had accepted as part of his family. Ikemefuna causes internal conflict to be kindled within Okonkwo which causes him to question the true value of family