Okonkwo And Nwoye

In Chinua Achebe’s novel “things fall apart” because the characters lack the ability to empathize. The main character, Okonkwo, is tough and powerful, but he is also a resentful man. Okonkwo “Had no patience with unsuccessful men.” (4) Throughout the story Okonkwo is quick to judge another without considering the causes of the outcome. His relationship with his son, Nwoye, is a prime example of his inability to empathize. None of the characters’ feelings and thoughts are given in their entirety, but with the information given one can infer the intentions of the characters. Nwoye is a boy who wants to please his father, but he also wants to learn, grow, and above all understand. Okonkwo interdicts everything Nwoye does furthering his struggle to become his own man. Nwoye cannot free himself from the pressure he feels around his father, and in the end he leaves his family to find himself with the intention to someday return for his mother and siblings. A stronger relationship between Nwoye and Okonkwo might prevent Nwoye from leaving. Okonkwo is the sternest character in Achebe’s novel, but he most certainly is not the only man with the inability to connect with others.
They are given land and the ability to practice their own religion; but that is not enough. The settlers belittle the native’s beliefs, and tear families apart. They have no regard for the law already in place and they do what they please; however in the manner in which they do so it comes off as if they are trying to help the natives. Instead of trying to understand the natives the settlers only try to change them. Good intentions aren’t always carried out using fair actions. It is no wonder why the characters are always questioning one another, but one character is