Okonkwo's relationship with his father, Unoka, is characterized by shame and disappointment, as Unoka is seen as lazy and unsuccessful. This deeply ingrained disdain for weakness drives Okonkwo to become excessively ambitious and authoritarian, leading him to adopt a harsh and unforgiving demeanor. His fear of failing like his father sets him on a path of rigid masculinity and emotional repression, creating internal and external conflicts as he struggles to maintain his status and identity within the community. Ultimately, this conflict with his father's legacy shapes Okonkwo's tragic trajectory in the story.
Okonkwo becomes a father to Ikemefuna, and Ikemefuna calls Okonkwo father. Ikemefuna is like the second man in the house, the closest to Okonkwo's personality, and helps to develop Nwoye's manhood. Okonkwo likes Ikemefuna, but does not show his feelings towards Ikemefuna because to do so would be unmanly.
Nwoye denies that Okonkwo is his father after Ikemefuna's death, as he is deeply affected by the event and begins to question his relationship with his father. This moment marks the beginning of Nwoye's alienation from Okonkwo and his traditional beliefs.
"Okonkwo was a man." "Did you see that man, Okonkwo?" "You are my son. Okonkwo, I am your father!"
In part, but not really. Achebe expounds upon Unoka's other virtues such as his carefree nature and his appreciation of music and life. Unoka can better emotionally measure a man, whereas Okonkwo measures a man only by his deeds.
Okonkwo is ashamed of his father Unoka. He feels his father is weak, effeminate, and made fun of by other members of the tribe. Okonkwo feels a man should be strong like a warrior, but his father is shy of blood. Okonkwo feels a man should be hard working and provide for his family, but Unoka is lazy, and a very poor farmer. Okonkwo ends up inheriting nothing from his father.
Ikemefuna called Okonkwo father. It would be unnatural for a father to kill his son. The boy was also affectionate towards Okonkwo, and it would be like a betrayal.
Okonkwo treats himself as superior to both, and he has to economically support both. His father is effeminate by the standards of the clan, and Okonkwo is grated by his father's love of talking.
Ikemefuna acts as a buffer by forming a close bond with Nwoye, providing him with a positive male role model and a source of emotional support that Okonkwo is unable to provide. This relationship gives Nwoye a sense of acceptance and love that he doesn't receive from his own father, helping to soften the harshness of Okonkwo's parenting and preventing their relationship from deteriorating further.
Ikemefuna is the boy that is sent to live with Okonkwo. Eventually the boy becomes much like Okonkwo's own son, and Ikemefuna even calls Okonkwo father.
Because Okonkwo treated him like a son and Ikemefuna thought of him as a father.
If that were to happen to me, i would try to be around him more, and think of the things he would want to do. then i would invite the family, including him and see if he comes. if he does,then be nice about everything. if it is fishing, and he cooks the fish, offer to cook the fish for him this time! try it!
Okonkwo thought his father Unoka was a shameful man because he was lazy, effeminate, a large debtor, drunkard, and a poor farmer. His father held no titles and was thus called an agbala. Unoka was also not a warrior, preferring instead to play the flute. He was not well respected in any of the villages. Because of this, Okonkwo was ashamed of his father, and did not wish to become like him. He did his best to flee from the shadow of his father.