Relationship Between Ikemefuna And Okonkwo

In most cases, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Although in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the main characters desire to be nothing like their fathers. They want a future that displays a whole different identity. Either from anger or sadness toward their father, Okonkwo and Nwoye would rather have a different last name and not be associated with him. From hate or fear they wanted to shape a personality with attributes separate from those of their dads. A father is supposed to raise his son into a man who can stand on his own in the real world. The way of which the son is raised is the most important aspect. As a child is raised, they develop feelings toward their fathers based on how they are taught and treated on the path to becoming an adult. The relationships of Unoka, Okonkwo, Nwoye, and Ikemefuna reflect the reason for their diverse personalities and characteristics. The first relationship between Unoka and his son Okonkwo was rough …show more content…
Okonkwo had always developed a hate for tribes other than his own. Although, he began to value and raise Ikemefuna as if he was the biological father. Ikemefuna was the brave and manly son that Okonkwo had always wanted Nwoye to become. Ikemefuna lost respect for his true father when he was sent away without a fight. His emotions are described, “Ikemefuna had begun to feel like a member of Okonkwo’s family. He still thought about his mother and three-year-old sister, and he had moments of sadness and depression,” (pg.34). The teenage boy respected and looked up to Okonkwo because he had taken him in with love and care. Due to this respect, Ikemefuna could be seen shadowing the personality of Okonkwo either by disrespecting women or making his toughness evident. Like a first grader in elementary school imitating his favorite superhero, Ikemefuna was anxious to become like the man he