Main Characters in Things Fall Apart

Overview

This lecture covers the main characters in Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," focusing on their relationships, traits, and roles in the novel.

Okonkwo is the main character, a respected leader, warrior, and successful farmer in Umuofia.
He is hyper-masculine, quick to anger, often violent, and fears showing weakness.
Okonkwo is driven by a desire to reject everything his father, Unoka, loved.
Unoka, Okonkwo’s father, is seen as lazy, a poor farmer, a coward, and died in debt.

Ikemefuna is sent to Umuofia as payment for a murder and lives with Okonkwo's family.
Ikemefuna becomes like a son to Okonkwo and brother to his children.
Okonkwo’s oldest son, Nwoye, is close to Ikemefuna and deeply affected by his death.
Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna, betraying the family's affection for the boy.
Nwoye grows apart from Okonkwo, eventually breaking away and converting to Christianity after the arrival of missionaries.
Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s second wife, left her first husband for Okonkwo after his wrestling victory.
Ekwefi lost nine children before having Ezinma, which created a strong bond with Okonkwo.
Ezinma, Ekwefi’s only child and Okonkwo’s favorite, is respected for her boldness and treated as an equal by her mother.

Obierika is Okonkwo’s closest friend, also respected and successful within the clan.
Obierika looks after Okonkwo’s property during his exile and often provides wise counsel.
He criticizes Okonkwo for killing Ikemefuna, urges patience with children, and warns of the missionaries’ influence.

Umuofia — Okonkwo’s home clan in the novel.
Hyper-masculine — Exaggerated adherence to traditional male gender roles and aggressive behavior.
Missionaries — Europeans who arrive to spread Christianity, influencing local culture and beliefs.

Review character relationships and motivations for class discussion.
Read the next assigned chapters to follow developments in Okonkwo’s family and the clan.