Ikemefuna is one of Okonkwos sons. He was adopted into his family because he was given up to Umuofia as a sacrifice for killing one of their women. As he first started to live with Okonkwo and his family, he was scared and Okonkwo would treat him as if he was incompetent. As the days went by he and Okonkwo grew closer and closer, but even then Okonkwo showed no emotions towards him. “Because he fears being effeminate and losing community respect, he shies away from showing even his favorite child affection.” (Chapter five Pg.58) Okonkwo even favored him over his real son, Nwoye. This is because Ikemefuna was a brave, hard working man unlike Okonkwo’s father Unoka.
Unoka was a corky man. He brought shame upon his family and was never counted on because of his actions. He was lazy and irresponsible and was falling into debt, all of which Okonkwo hated about his father. He loathed all fearful and amateur people. “He had no patience with unsuccessful men.” (Chapter one Pg. 4) His belief was to be powerful and strong and to be feared by others. Nonetheless he wanted nothing to do with Unoka for the rest of his life.
Ekwefi, one of many of Okonkwo’s wives, was bold and courageous. At one point, though, she was foolish. She was smitten with Okonkwo when she heard that he had beat Cat in the fight and ran off to marry him. She was blinded by his fame and later came on to realize that he was unpleasant. He was forceful and made her and the others suffer under his aggressive rule. Ekwefi was even beat by Okonkwo and was threatened to be shot and killed just because of one of his tantrums, yet at least she was stubborn and brave enough to stand up against Okonkwo’s unfair ruling. “…unless it was one of the stubborn ones who returned…” (Chapter nine Pg. 69)
Ezinma is Okonkwo and Ekwefi’s daughter. Additionally, she was Okonkwo’s favorite daughter. She was beautiful, yet harsh and enduring like her father. She often took on the labor of a man and acted like one as well. Additionally, she threw tantrums like Okonkwo. This formed him to prefer her even more. “Okonkwo was specially fond of Ezinma. She looked very much like her mother, who was once the village beauty.” (Chapter 5 Pg. 58) She grew up more privileged and adored than all of her other siblings.
Okonkwo’s relationship towards approximately everyone is one of complete dictatorship. He is required to be on the top at all times, no matter whom he hurts. Notwithstanding, though, he isn’t all that bad. He may be unsympathetic at times with people but that does not make him an unsympathetic person in general. He has moments where his true feeling can’t be hidden with his fear of displaying soft emotions.
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