Things Fall Apart Characters

Okonkwo

A tall and strong wrestler, he is the protagonist of the story. Okonkwo is an ambitious man who tastes success at an early age and is well-known and respected in his area. His biggest fear in life is the fear of failure and weakness and, hence, despite being a good-hearted man, he maintains the mask of a tough and cruel taskmaster. In his blind desire for societal approval and respect, he even kills a boy who considers him his father—a murder that will haunt Okonkwo for his entire life. In a sad turn of fate, Okonkwo is exiled for seven years at the peak of his success as a titled leader in his village. When he returns, the advent of British imperialism leads to his downfall and eventual suicide.

Unoka

Okonkwo’s father is an alcoholic musician who never worked hard in life. He is happy getting drunk and playing his flute and on his death, has several large and small debts to be paid off, which are transferred onto his son. Unoka dies when Okonkwo is in his late-twenties. Unoka is deeply hated by his son; he is a man of music and gentle creativity and not a man of the world. Even when he is banished to the forest, on account of an infectious disease, Unoka only takes his flute with him. He recognizes his son’s ambition and accepts it.

Nwoye

Twelve-year-old Nwoye is Okonkwo’s oldest one and is regarded by his father as lazy. He is similar to his deceased grandfather Unoka and like him, prefers music and gentle folktales rather than affairs of war and violence. He hides his true self from his father. Nwoye blossoms in the company of Ikemefuna but after his death, snaps and withdraws into his own shell. Eventually, Nwoye, being a kind and gentle man, feels out of place in his tribal society and leaves to become a Christian. Although his estrangement from his family makes him unhappy, he is at peace at church.

Ikemefuna

A boy who is sacrificed to the Umuofia clan after his tribe kills the wife of a man in Umuofia. He is well-loved by Okonkwo and his family, especially the oldest son, Nwoye. Although he is unable to understand his own predicament, he comes to love and accept his life in Umuofia. Unfortunately, his life is cut short when the village elders decide to kill him. The saddest part of this is Okonkwo’s hand in the young boy’s murder, where a father betrays a son.

Ezinma

Okonkwo’s daughter from his second wife, she is beautiful and the only one who understands her father. Going against social approval, Okonkwo wishes Ezinma was a boy because she has the right spirit and resilience that he wishes his oldest son had. Ezinma is loyal to her father and can read his mind without being told what he desires or thinks.