The Men

   Nathan and Okonkwo have many similarities and many differences. Both are male leaders in their families and have leadership roles in their communities. In addition, both men have similar views on women and their roles and value to society. However, they are members of very different communities and believe in different values causing them to have differing morals. When looking at Nathan, you can see that he is a very religious man who works as a minister and is father to four girls. He is the leader of his family and abides by the bible in all aspects of life. He is a Christian man with Christian values and beliefs that he stands by at all times. He has a monogamous relationship with his wife, Orleanna, and puts God above all else. In contrast, Okonkwo has a polygamous relationship with multiple women and has children with all of them. He does not practice any specific religion but does follow tribal customs and beliefs. His main focus in life is to make sure he is in a position of power and that he is seen as a manly individual that is strong and feared by those under him. Both men wish to be in a position of power, however, it is through a different context.
   Due to their struggle for power, both men deal with this differently but manage to take their anger and issues out on others. Okonkwo wants all power and masculinity placed on him so he does whatever necessary to make it happen, even killing his son himself. In Nathan's case, he just gets angry and the people living in the Congo that aren't listening to him and also at his family for their lack of support that he feels. Both men blame others for their own issues and insecurities, however, they take them to different heights and express their feelings in different manners.
  In regards to femininity and women, both men feel threatened and dislike these topics. In Okonkwo's case, he has multiple wives and children that he expects to feed him and do the household chores yet he doesn't give them the respect and appreciation that they deserve. Instead, he abuses his wives and children and criticizes their actions when they don't comply with what he wants. Often viewing them as helpless creatures, Okonkwo does not see the value and strength of women and often states that he wishes his female children could have been male. From Nathan's perspective, things are quite similar. He has four daughters and a wife that he lives with and he treats them as if they are his property rather than his family. He expects them to do as he says and believe in what he believes in and will not tolerate and discrepancies to his order of things. He is a man that values other men and views women as mothers that cook and clean all day. He finds women to be foolish and dependent on men. Their power and drive intimidates Nathan and he treats women as lesser individuals in an attempt to make them less confident and make himself more powerful.
   Nathan Price feels so strongly about feminine attributes being "wrong" because they make women seem powerful and strong which is how men should be characterized. Nathan is a traditional Christian man that does not see the value of women and follows the Bible at all times. If women are not discussed positively in the Bible, Nathan will not see them as such. Also, femininity threatens Nathan simply because he is the only male in his home. If women are deemed more powerful, he is all alone in his own home where he feels he should be the dominating leader.