Only Similar Genetically

“So Okonkwo encouraged the boys to sit with him in his obi, and he told them stories of the land--masculine stories of violence and bloodshed. Nwoye knew that it was right to be masculine and to be violent, but somehow he still preferred the stories that his mother used to tell, and which she no doubt still told to her younger children--stories of the tortoise and his wily ways, and of the bird eneke-nti-oba who challenged the whole world to a wrestling contest and was finally thrown by the cat. He remembered the story she often told of the quarrel between Earth and Sky long ago, and how Sky withheld rain for seven years, until crops withered and the dead could not be buried because the hoes broke on the stony Earth. At last Vulture was sent to plead with Sky, and to soften his heart with a song of the suffering of the sons of men. Whenever Nwoye's mother sang this song he felt carried away to the distant scene in the sky where Vulture, Earth's emissary, sang for mercy. At last Sky was moved to pity, and he gave to Vulture rain wrapped in leaves of coco-yam. But as he flew home his long talon pierced the leaves and the rain fell as it had never fallen before. And so heavily did it rain on Vulture that he did not return to deliver his message but flew to a distant land, from where he had espied a fire. And when he got there he found it was a man making a sacrifice. He warmed himself in the fire and ate the entrails.

That was the kind of story that Nwoye loved. But he now knew that they were for foolish women and children, and he knew that his father wanted him to be a man. And so he feigned that he no longer cared for women's stories. And when he did this he saw that his father was pleased, and no longer rebuked him or beat him.” (page 53-54)

An important dynamic presented at the beginning of the novel is the relationship between father and son. Though Okonkwo likes to forget about Unoka, he was his father and influenced his lack of wealth when he was younger, as well as shaping his desire to become the opposite of his father. Partially because of his father’s misfortune, but mostly because of his own insecurities, Okonkwo feels a great pressure to shape Nwoye in his own image. This passage shows Nwoye’s acceptance of his difference from his father, as well as his realisation that it is better to pretend than bear Okonkwo’s scorn.

Nwoye’s personal dilemma seems to be reflected in the differing messages both types of stories bring. The “masculine stories of violence and bloodshed” paint the image that men are supposed to be strong, brave, and fight well. However, the stories he was told when he was younger admonish blind bravery and overconfidence such as the story of the bird who said he could wrestle the world. From his father, he is being told that to be a man he has to respond with his actions and strength. However, his mother’s stories are telling his to always be more thoughtful and thankful. Nwoye’s liking of these “women’s stories” shows that he would rather take a calmer approach to things.

Nwoye and Okonkwo’s relationship is characterized in this passage as not one of closeness but of both trying to cooperate with each other. Okonkwo is trying to guide Nwoye towards fields of his own interests so Nwoye can be a son that in his mind he could be proud of.  At the same time, Nwoye is feigning interest in Okonkwo’s stories so he won’t be as angry with him. Perhaps this passage shows Nwoye’s deviation from Okonkwo’s hopes even as far as Nwoye’s acceptance of conversion later on in the novel.

Nwoye is very different from his father, just as Okonkwo was of Unoka. The more Okonkwo tries to shape him the more Nwoye realises his differences and puts on an act to hide them. Between the two, there will remain a separation as they are not honest or accepting of each other.