Okonkwo's Internal Conflict
In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the main character Okonkwo presents an aura of masculinity, strength, and stability. Okonkwo was driven to be unlike his unsuccessful father, Unoka, in all aspects of life. In doing so, Okonkwo enjoyed all the effects of hard work and firmness. He had a multitude of crop, three wives, and a number of children. He was the model citizen of the Umuofia. However, this fortune was only conditional. Within himself, Okonkwo had a softer, more fearful soul. His main fear was the fear of failure. Okonkwo had grown up on the notion that his father’s ways were wrong and began to only live to reverse those ways. He also presented compassion with his child, Ezinma, and his charge, Ikemefuna, that made the inner rift in his heart grow. Okonkwo’s conflict between stoic manliness and affection for his children ultimately set the downfall of his character. At the core of Okonkwo’s character was a hate for the life of his father Unoka. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, Okonkwo lived the opposite of his father. Unoka was tall and thin, well-liked, and carefree. Okonkwo, in contrast, was tall and huge, feared by his family, and hard working. Okonkwo could never stand for laziness and weakness. His life was built on showing the clansmen his strength and his lack of womanly emotions.