Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart tells the story of Okonkwo. As a fearful and stubborn protagonist, the novel remains clearly focused on his thoughts and actions. Through the skewed perspective of a character-driven narrative, Achebe presents the complexities and intricacies of life in the Ibo community. Although the rigid framework of Okonkwo's fears and beliefs limits the bulk of the narrative to his myopic account of Igbo life, the opinions of those who contrast with his own can be seen on the periphery of the text. These alternatives to the central narrative appear at first glance as distant and peripheral possibilities of reality, but through the associations between the repeated terms and the recurrence of themes, the novel foreshadows the importance and influence of this alternative perspective. Prospects that will eventually overwhelm Okonkwo. The most striking examples of these differences in understanding often concern the treatment and actions of characters who, at the beginning of the story, have neither voice nor power in the eyes of Okonkwo or the clan. Yet as the influence of these figures becomes more and more visible in the life and future of the clan, the revelation of such importance destroys Okonkwo's reality. Okonkwo's understanding of gender roles as well as the clan as a whole presents the first, and most recurring, conflict between perspectives. Okonkwo, true to the tradition of a patriarchal society, considers women inferior. Often wishing that his daughter, Ezinma, “should have been a boy” (64 years old). This wish reflects a practice, consistent by both Okonkwo and his clan, of devaluing the experience and importance of women in society. However, the level of this devaluation becomes unclear through the dialogue and...... middle of paper...... taken from Nwoye, who walked away and never returned" (152) provides proof of Okonkwo's inability to change his perception. Specifically, the phrase “he left the position” implies that the decision was made by Okonkwo. Okonkwo could not allow his son to remain his son while demonstrating traits he believed were opposed to what he thought a son should maintain. This quote clearly demonstrates another difference between Okonkwo's view and that of the clan. While the clan has compromised with the church, Okonkwo completely rejects the idea, to the point of exiling his own son. By once again appealing to the gendered definition of weakness: “If any of you prefers to be a woman, let her follow Nwoye” (172). This ultimate rejection of his own family constitutes the final proof of his damnation, a fate which, at one time, was reserved for him..