Things Fall Apart Post 1

As soon as the readers open "The Things Fall Apart," they are faced with two very different characters- Okonkwo and his father, Unoka. Although they are blood, each character is extremely different and neither possess virtually any similarities. This severe contrast allows the audience to really get a feel for the personality and drives of both characters.

Okonkwo is immediately credited with being a brave, powerful man. He was able to beat the greatest wrestler of the land at the young age of 18, and in return was renowned enough to hold a place with the elders and kings. His father, on the other hand, “was a failure (pg 5).” He was always borrowing money that he never cared to return, and his debts followed him to his grave. He was a coward who couldn’t stand the sight of blood, while his son was eager and ready to fight a seven-year-undefeated wrestler to bring honor to his village. One could wonder how the men are even related.

This stark contrast is supported by strong diction on each side. Okonkwo is described as “tall and huge”, and “angry”, “with a very severe look(pg3-4)” On the other hand, Unoka is described as “lazy and improvident”, “very thin with a slight stoop”, and “incapable of thinking about tomorrow(pg 4).” Okonkwo’s traits emit beams of confidence, while his father’s glow of cowardliness.

Like Amir and Baba in the Kite Runner, Okonkwo and Unoka are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Both sons end up being ashamed of their fathers; Amir felt ashamed and betrayed when he discovered Hassan was his half brother, and Okonkwo was ashamed his father held no status and died a lazy borrower who would never pay back his dues. But both men also made up for where their fathers fell short with their own feats, such as righting their wrongs or proving themselves.