"A proud heart can survive general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. It is more difficult and more bitter when a man fails alone." Okonkwo's father, as Okonkwo a member of the Ibo tribe, failed alone. His failures in life led his son to despise him and his attitude. From this embarrassment spawned a motivation in Okonkwo, making him want to do nothing that his father had, and wanting to succeed everywhere his father had failed. As Okonkwo's life went on, instances where pride overtook logic and well-being gradually led to Okonkwo's downfall. In parallel, the tribe also fell to the white missionaries. When viewed in a historical context and compared with present day Nigeria, and in many cases Africa, Okonkwo's father can be seen in the tribe as a whole, and the stubborn Okonkwo, in present day Africa.

The source of paternal conflict...