Who’s Who in Things Fall Apart
CHARACTER
SYNOPSIS
Okonkwo
An influential leader of the Umuofia clan.
Embarrassed by his lazy, squandering, and
effeminate father, Unoka. He hates weakness and
only respects strong people.
Unoka
Okonkwo’s father, of whom Okonkwo has been
ashamed of since childhood. By the standards of
the clan, Unoka was a coward and a spendthrift.
He never took a title in his life, he borrowed money
from his clansmen, and he rarely repaid his debts.
He never became a warrior because he feared the
sight of blood. Moreover, he died of an abominable
illness.
RELATIONSHIP (to Okonkwo)
Okonkwo’s
father
Nwoye
Okonkwo’s eldest son. Okonkwo fears that he will
grow up to be lazy and weak so he beats him often
to teach her perseverance and strength. He is
influenced by Ikemefuna and begins to show more
masculine behavior.
Okonkwo’s
Eldest Son
Enzima
Okonkwo’s only child from his second wife,
Ekwefi. She is the center of he rmother’s world
since she is the only surviving babys he has had.
Enzima is Okonkwo’s favorite child, he often
wishes she had been a boy because she would
make for a “perfect” son.
Okonkwo’s
Favorite Daughter
Obiageli
The daughter of Okonkwo’s first wife. All though
she is close to Enzima in age, Enzima has a great
deal of influence over her.
Okonkwo’s
Daughter
Ikemefuna
A sacrificed offering from the neighboring village.
He is giving to Okonkwo to raise till they know what
to do with him. He shows a lot of the traits that
Okonkwo wished his son had, and therefore
becomes accepted by Okonkwo.
Okonkwo’s
“Adopted” Son
Ekwefi
Okonkwo’s second wife, once the village beauty,
she ran away from her 1st husband to be with
Okonkwo. She is burdened with having 9 children,
but only one that survived infancy. She constantly
fears she will lose Enzima as well.
Okonkwo’s
Second Wife
Ojiugo
Okonkwo’s third and youngest wife. It is she that
he beats during the week of peace.
Okonkwo’s
Third Wife
Uchendu
The younger brother of Onkonkwo’s mother. He
lives in Mbanta, his mother’s homeland that
welcomes Okonkwo and his family during their
time of exile.
Okonkwo’s
Uncle (Mother’s side)
Tribesmen of Umuofia
Obierika
Ogbuefi Ezeudu
He is a close and trusted friend of Okonkwo.
Okonkwo sees him often when he is in need of
advice and counseling. Okonkwo is jealous of
Obierka’s son—Maduka, a strong boy that wins a
wrestling match, proving himself to be a worthy
son.
The oldest man in the village and one of the most
important clan elders and leaders. Ogbuefi Ezeudu
was a great warrior in his youth and now delivers
messages from the Oracle.
Akunna
A clan leader that speaks peacefully with Mr.
Brown about religion Akunna’s influence on the
missionary advances Mr. Brown’s strategy for
converting the largest number of clansmen.
Chielo
A priestess dedicated to the Oracle of the goddess
Agbala. She is a widow with two children and she
is very fond of Ekwefi and Enzima, whom she calls
“my daughter.”
Nwakibie
Enoch
Okagbue Uyanwa
A wealthy clan member that lends money to
Okonkwo so he can start to build his reputation.
A fanatical Christian convert. He was once
considered an outcast by the clan, but is accepted
by the Christians. He disrespects the clan’s gods
which is looked down upon by Mr. Brown, but
approved of by Rev. Smith.
Famous medicine man that Okonkwo brings to
help Enzima.
Close friend of Okonkwo and
influential member of the clan.
The Oldest Member of Clan
Leader of the Clan
Priestess
Wealthy Clan Member
Fanatical Coverted
Tribesman
Medicine Man
The Outsiders
Mr. Brown
Peaceful missionary that comes to Umuofia with
his members to convert the tribesmen through
understanding and tolerance rather than force.
Missionary Leader
Rev. Smith
He comes in to replace Mr. Brown, who unlike the
former, is strict and forceful with the natives
making them scorn all their indigenous beliefs.
Missionary Reverend and Mr.
Brown’s Replacement