Like Father, Unlike Son

"It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father."

Most children grow up idolizing their paternal figures, but in Things Fall Apart our protagonist Okonkwo resents his father to say the least. He associates him with weakness and femininity, and most of what Okonkwo has become is a result of the pure hatred of his father and his craving to be masculine. In his quest to masculinity, he often acts hastily and without thinking, which usually results in violence and bad temperment. While he thinks being burly and robust is the best way to live his life, it has severly affected his reputation among his family and tribe. Is his craving to be the alpha male worth straining his relationship with those around him? How is it that his father was less wealthy, less skilled, and less macho, yet was so much more comfortable with who he was? Okonkwo has become comsumed by how others perceive him, and it would not be surprising if this leads do his downfall.