Unoka (ew-NOH-kah), Okonkwos father.

Lazy, shiftless, and always in debt, he is a man without

title and unable to provide for his family. He is a good storyteller and a fine musician, the life of
any party.

Nwoye

Nwoye (NWOH-yay), Okonkwos eldest son. Sensitive and deeply troubled by certain Umuofian
practices, such as the exposure of twins in the Evil Forest and the sacrifice of his beloved
companion, Ikemefuna, he was attracted to the music, hope, and poetry of Christianity, and he
converted. His actions remind Okonkwo of the failures of his father and raise the specter that
he too might have these flaws.

Chielo

Chielo (chee-OH-loh), the priestess of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves. Her
approval is needed for major decisions, such as going to war. In everyday life, she is an ordinary
woman, but as priestess few dare to ignore her divinations.

Ekwefi

Ekwefi (ay-KWAY-fee), Okonkwos second wife. The village beauty, she was captivated by
Okonkwos victory over the Cat in the greatest wrestling match within living memory. She ran
away from her husband to live with Okonkwo. She bears ten children but loses nine in infancy.
A daughter, Ezinma, survives, and Ekwefi lavishes special care and affection on her.

Ezinma
Ezinma (ay-ZEEN-mah), Okonkwo and Ekwefis daughter. Intelligent and beautiful, she best
understands the complex moods of her father and best interprets the appropriate course of
action. Okonkwo wishes she were a male. She is his favorite child, and he plans her marriage as
a logical part of his rise to power. Chielo calls her daughter and is probably training her to be
the new priestess.

Ikemefuna

Ikemefuna (ee-kay-may-FEW-nah), a fifteen-year-old boy from a neighboring village. Okonkwo

treats him like a son, and Nwoye learns under his tutelage and regards him as the older brother
he never had. Given to Umuofia in atonement for the murder of a clansmans wife, he is placed
under the guardianship of Okonkwo. After about three years, the Oracle of the Hills and the
Caves orders his sacrifice. Wishing to show his strength and his loyalty to village traditions,
Okonkwo strikes the fatal blow.

Obierika

Obierika (oh-bee-ay-REE-kah), a friend of Okonkwo. He manages Okonkwos affairs while

Okonkwo is in exile, warns him that the law does not require him to participate in Ikemefunas
sacrifice, and has him buried by outsiders when he commits suicide.

Mr. Brown

Mr. Brown, the first European missionary in Umuofia. Respectful of Umuofias traditions, he
wisely guides the affairs of the early Christian church, and its membership and power grows.

The Reverend James Smith

The Reverend James Smith, a narrow-minded missionary who succeeds Mr. Brown. He brooks
no compromises with native traditions and insists on the rights and privileges of the Christian
community over those of Umuofia. His fanaticism and nonbending stance set the stage for the
imposition of European rule of government and law.

Next:

Additional Characters

Things Fall Apart Homework Help Questions

What was the most significant theme in Achebe's Things Fall Apart?

While there are several significant themes in Things Fall Apart, such as individual alienation and
loneliness, good and evil, clash between cultures, and custom versus tradition, one might say...

In the story Things Fall Apart, why did Okonkwo kill himself?
Throughout the whole novel, Okonkwo struggles with the changes taking place in his tribe. He
is initially known as one of the strongest, most honorable tribesmen, but as the white man
begins...

Compare and contrast Okonkwo and his father in Things Fall Apart.

Okonkwo and his father Unoka have very little in common. Although both are tall men, Unoka
walks with a stoop, burdened by the scorn of his tribe. The Igbo people value power and
ferocity in...

What causes the downfall of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart?

Just as the title of this novel suggests, Okonkwo's downfall is caused by his inability to follow
the mores of his culture and to adapt to colonization. His pride aids him breaking the mores
of...

In Things Fall Apart, what influence did Ikemefuna have on Nwoye? From chapters 5-7.

Chapter Seven makes it clear that the arrival of Ikemefuna into Okonkwo's household has been
very positive for Nwoye. At the beginning of the novel, Nwoye is depicted as a rather feminine
young boy...

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