Things Fall Apart

Novel | Chinua Achebe

Why does Okonkwo make conscious efforts to avoid looking like his father?

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Why does Okonkwo make conscious efforts to avoid looking like his father In Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe - shows how family shapes a person s destiny Okonkwo s father Unoka was lazy weak and careless He left behind shame and debt Okonkwo grew up hating his father s failure and weakness To erase that image he worked hard to be the complete opposite of Unoka in every way Shame of a Lazy Father Unoka was known as a poor and idle man He loved music and drink but hated hard work He was ridiculed by the entire village The narrator says Okonkwo had clearly washed his hands and so he ate with the kings and elders This means that Okonkwo earned respect through his own efforts unlike his father Fear of Weakness and Failure Okonkwo s greatest fear is to be like his father The narrator says Okonkwo was

ruled by one passion to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved He believes that gentleness emotion and music are signs of weakness So he hides his feelings and acts harshly even toward his family Desire for Strength and Honor Okonkwo works day and night to earn titles and wealth He becomes a great farmer warrior and leader The narrator says He was not afraid of war He was a man of war This line shows his courage and hard spirit Reaction to Childhood Suffering Okonkwo suffered hunger and shame in childhood because of Unoka s debts Those bitter memories made him proud and ambitious He builds his life on hard work and self-control He punishes any weakness he finds in himself or others trying to escape his father s image forever In short Okonkwo avoids resembling his father because he fears shame weakness and failure His pride and strength grow from deep pain

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Chinua Achebe
Literary Writer