In order to use Sutori, you must enable Javascript in your browser. You can find instructions on how to do this here. In “Things Fall Apart”, many father and son relationships exist. The most notable one is the Okonkwo has with his father Unoku. Their relationship is a very strained in which Okonkwo grows up hating his father and consciously adopts opposite ideals. Unoku is often viewed as a poor, lazy man who never planned for the future. He is always in debt and as a result he left his son with nothing to live on when he dies. Two ways that shows Okonkwo’s hate towards his father is the way he constantly beats his own son Nwoye. Another way is how Onkonkwo never wants to show any weakness and consciously adopts opposite ideals of his father.  Get your custom essay on "Relationship between Okonkwo and Unoka in “Things Fall Apart” Analysis" only $16.38 $13.9/page The constant beating of Nuroye by Onkokwo done on purpose by him in order to prevent Nwoye becoming like Unoka. Onkonkwo worries about his son following in the footsteps of his grandfather that he even refers to him as being “old enough to impregnate a woman”. Okonkwo views his son as a symbol of laziness just like Unoka, and so he does his best to prevent this. The fact that Nuroye has feminine like characteristics angers his father. This includes Nwoye crying a lot when Ikmefuma is taken away and that he prefers listening to his mother’s children stories rather than his father’s war stories. Nuroye struggles in the shadow of his powerful, successful, and demanding father that as a result he is subjected to beatings. It is ironic how Okonkwo ridicules his father so much, that he himself has bought up a son who has interests that resemble Unoku. Onkonkwo never wants to appear weak in front of anyone so that no one will compare him to his father. He takes this to such an extent that he even participates in the death of Ikemefuna by cutting him down with a machete. The tone at this part is upsetting and tragic since despite Okonkwo having developed a special liking for this boy, he is left with no choice but to kill him otherwise he will feel like he is following his father’s footsteps. The thought of Okonkwo being similar to his father in anyway haunts him. Again, Okonkwo can stand the sight of the blood in contrast to his father who is a afraid of it. Onkokwo does not believe in anything that he perceives to be “soft”, such as conservation and emotion. To say that the father and son relationship exists between Okonkwo and Unoka is impossible. He does not look up to his father in any way. Okonkwo grows up not wanting to be anything like his father and so explains why Okonkwo adopts a harsh approach in all situations. Unoka is an example of a complete failure as he is always in huge debts and leaves his son with nothing to live on. Unoka fails to be the right father for Okoknwo.
Unoka is Okonkwo’s father, who died ten years prior to the opening of the novel. Although Unoka is not physically present in the novel, he plays an important role in Okonkwo’s memory. Ever since he was a child, Okonkwo felt deeply ashamed of his father. For one thing, Unoka felt squeamish about blood. His fear of blood prevented him from becoming a warrior and earning the kind of title that would have won him distinction within the community. In fact, Unoka tended to be more of a drain on the community than an active contributor. He had a reputation for borrowing large sums from various people, and he rarely if ever repaid his debts. Unoka also was drawn to creative activities, such as music. To Okonkwo, his father’s aversion to violence and his preference for the arts marked him as an effeminate idler, precisely the opposite of what Okonkwo hoped to become. In the novel, Unoka’s negative reputation drives Okonkwo’s obsession with masculinity and personal achievement.
Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? x Things Fall Apart is a novel written by Chinua Achebe. In the novel there is a main character called Okonkwo. He lived in Umuofia where he was also known throughout many of the nine villages around Umuofia. In the beginning of the story we see his overwhelming hatred towards his father Unoka. His father died about ten years ago and had not taken any title and was very much in debt. Unoka was described as lazy, improvident and not capable of thinking about tomorrow. From this Okonkwo was ashamed of his father and strives to be nothing like him. Okonkwo’s hatred towards his father has hardened his heart and has made him incapable of being a person of compassion and understanding throughout the novel. His hatred for his father has made him fear failure and weakness throughout the story. His fear of failure has brought him to his downfall. Okonkwo strives to be everything but his father. This is clear from the very beginning when it says, “He had no…show more content… Okonkwo is a character who has some positive traits but are greatly outweighed by his negative ones including not being in control of his emotions and actions, constantly providing excuses for these actions leaving him with no respect from me and an overall dislike. To start Okonkwo has an obsession with his father. He “was possessed by the fear of his father’s contemptible life and shameful life” (Chapter 1) Unoka, his father was looked down upon by the village due to his laziness and unsuccessfulness. In their village culture, Unoka could not have a proper burial due to his cause of death and was shamed for it. However, this aside Unoka was incredibly caring, relaxed and was a very good musician. Okonkwo who loathes his father, goes out of his way to avoid these traits. For example he beats his wives…show more content… |
Why does okonkwo hate his father
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