The various relationships supporting characters share with Okonkwo serve to characterize him as a loving man who masks his gentleness with “manly” actions out of fear that he will become a failure like his father. These relationships also serve to give the reader an inside look into Igbo culture.
It all starts with his father, Unoka. Unoka is significant because he is considered the failure that Okonkwo used as inspiration for his actions and inactions. However, his mother is never mentioned, showing her insignificance. The aspect of women meaning less in Igbo culture is only reiterated through other relationships.
Obierika is not related to Okonkwo but serves as a foil for him. They are best friends and Obierika is the more laid back out of the two who doesn’t always agree with the culture of Igboland although he continues to follow it as a faithful community member.
Okonkwo has 3 wives, some more significant than others. His first wife is nameless which shows the value of women is low even though she is his first wife who bore him four children. Next is Ekwefi, the second wife, who is the most unique of the wives. Her and her only daughter, Ezinma, are considered as equals and both her and her mom act as counterweights to a clear cut structure in the Igbo culture through which Okonkwo views the culture. His third and final wife, Ojuigo, is there to show irresponsibility. She is beaten for being irresponsible showing the depth into Igbo culture because it is ok to beat women. She is an outlet for Okonkwo to think of all women as irresponsible and stupid.
The first wife had three sons and a daughter. Nwoye, the first son is a soft child who helps to show the differences between the men and the women of Umuofia, especially in their stories. Nwoye enjoys the women’s stories even though Okonkwo wants him to start acting like a man. Obiageli, Nwoye’s sister and the other two nameless sons are pretty much insignificant thus far, showing how much children mean to Umuofia. Nkechi is the third wife’s child as is relatively unimportant. Ikemefuna, the adopted son helps to bring out the softer side of Okonkwo. Ikemefuna is good for bringing about indirect characterization of Okonkwo through his secret love for Ikemefuna.
Then we go into the spiritual branch which brings about the spiritual aspect of Igbo culture. Agbala and Agadinwayi, which is actually the name of magic, both represent the war success of Umuofia. That war success is what brought Okonkwo fame making them important in his life. Ezeani, Priest of the Earth Goddess, and Chielo, Priestess of the Oracle, both imply that the spiritual aspect of Igboland is unbiased by sex. No sex dominates, and both are equally important. The friendship that Chielo has with Ekwefi is simply to tie in the aspect of the spiritual realm of Igbo culture to that of everyday Igbo life. Thus wrapping up our relationships that occur through the first seven chapters.
