Things Fall Apart Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of Things Fall Apart focuses on Okonkwo's son, Nwoye. Okonkwo was worried that Nwoye was lazy and following in his own father's footsteps. However, Ikemefuna has been a role model to Nwoye over the past three years, which has transformed Nwoye into a more masculine, hardworking person. This pleases Okonkwo. When the Oracle says that Ikemefuna must be killed, Okonkwo joins in on his murder, despite being advised not to since Ikemefuna calls Okonkwo “father.” Okonkwo does this because he does not want to seem weak. When Nwoye cries over Ikemefuna’s death, Okonkwo beats him.

Will Okonkwo’s actions affect Nwoye’s transformation to “manhood”? Since Nwoye is now scared of Okonkwo, will he follow his father’s footsteps or will he try to be different than him, just as Okonkwo wanted to be different from his own father?