Father-Son: Retroversion Through Generations

Father-Son: Retroversion through Generations A father does not need to be present in order to shape who his son becomes as a person. Though the generations of Unoka, Okonkwo, and Nwoye, a cycle occurs in which each son opposes his fatherly figure, but matches that of their grandfather, thus creating a state of massive frustration and aggression. As the father-son consanguinity is noticeably neglected throughout each of the three generations, Okonkwo and Nwoye consequently view their fathers as stubborn, inapt beings in which it literally frustrates them to hear their fathers speak. The sons thereafter venture to repudiate their fathers by opposing their virtues, distancing themselves from the small relationship they share, and ultimately …show more content…
He was so angry with the irresponsible person his father was, and he « was ruled by one passion—to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved » (Achebe, 5) Okonkwo even takes it as far as to create a lifestyle for himself with the inspiration in mind that one day he will be the polar opposite of Unoka and thrive while achieving this goal. Nwoye on the other hand, has more of a fear for his father than that of the hatred Okonkwo had for his. He gives up on the idea that he will be the proud son of Okonkwo and essentially abandons trying to please him. When the Christian missionaries appear in Unuofia, Nwoye’s secret was that « [he] had been attracted to the new faith from the very first day, but he dared not go too near the missionaries for fear of his father. » (54) Nwoye’s relationship with Okonkwo contrasts to that of Okonkwo’s with his father regarding that Nwoye hate is much more driven my fear, while on the other hand Okonkwo’s thoughts of his father correspond with more of a burning …show more content…
Upon Obierika’s asking how Okonkwo was doing lately to Nwoye, his answer being « I don't know. [Okonkwo] is not my father. » (52) truly shows that he tries to rid Okonkwo from his life. Nwoye even goes so far as to ponder his speculation that Okonkwo is not his father spiritually, and that it was a mistake that he was born to such a masculine, savage tribal leader like Okonkwo. The same thought appeals Okonkwo’s attention when he considers going to the church and wiping out the gang of Christians. He suddenly « felt a strong desire to take up his machete and go to the church, but on further thought he told himself that Nwoye was not worth fighting for, » (55) officially giving up on trying to transform Nwoye into the more masculine son that he had always hoped for but never