Character complexity makes up the backbone of the protagonist, Okonkwo, throughout the novel, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe. Complexity is built through the way Okonkwo’s society perceives and understands gender roles. For example, the society has shaped the men to act in ways that are considered masculine whereas women are inclined to act in ways that are feminine. If a man is called a woman, like Okonkwo’s father was, it is considered one of the worst insults. After the unfortunate events that take place in Okonkwo’s childhood, he promises to live up to society's expectations of being a man, and not turn out like his father did, which begins to shape his complexity. Achebe establishes Okonkwo as a struggling, complex character who tries to control his future, yet realizes that fate cannot be stopped. …show more content…
In an effort to not be like his father, Okonkwo has the mindset to “hate everything that his father had loved” (Achebe 13). A majority of Unoka’s time was spent losing money and power, whereas Okonkwo devoted his life to becoming as powerful as possible. Additionally, Okonkwo’s actions were usually violent and “unlike his father he could stand the look of blood” (Achebe 10). The aggressive measures Okonkwo takes causes his family and the people of Umuofia to have a sense of fear when they are in his presence. Okonkwo felt the need to act manly towards his family because of all the pain his father’s past caused him. Additionally, Okonkwo disrespects his wives and children “by constant nagging and beating” (Achebe 13) in order to seem masculine. Okonkwo tries to not be like his father on the inside, yet his actions show otherwise therefore, these conflicting ideas makes Okonkwo a complex character throughout the