Here is an overview I made of the main characters in the novel Things Fall Apart. I have focused on strengths and weaknesses because it is clear in the novel that several of the characters are flawed, I though this would be interesting to write about.
Okonkwo (main character):
Strengths: He is masculine, a hard worker, very respected, a warrior and a provider for his family, a wealthy farmer.
Weaknesses: He fears femininity and shows no emotions (except anger), but has an internal fear. He is a slave to his culture/traditions. His biggest flaw in my eyes are that he is a murderer, although this is described as a strength as a warrior earlier in the novel.
The nature of Okonkwo is on one hand a lack of consideration before he acts, on the other hand he often has second thoughts. He does never tell anybody that he has been wrong, e.g. after he broke the Week of Peace in Chapter 4. He is too proud to admit his mistakes. Neither does he tell his family nor his friend, Obierika, about his sorrow after Ikemenfuna´s death. As readers we know his thoughts, and we know that his feelings fight with his obligations, and the obligations are always win. We also know that he cares about his daughter, Ezinma, and her mother Ekwefi, and they have a close relationship. His son, Nwoye, does not meet the standards of a man as Okonkwo sees it, and again, his cultural obligations makes him ashamed of his son, and is in the way for his love. Okonkwo is sort of a slave of the old, traditional, Ibo way of life, and he has adapted the faults of the system. Ironically, the only time feelings fight his obligations, is when he, in hopelessness and desperation, commits suicide.
Unoka (father):
Strengths: He is relaxed, a clever musician who finds much joy in playing his flute.
Weaknesses: He is weak, irresponsible, lazy and cannot provide for his family. He does not have the traditional respect from the clan.
Unoka is the quite opposite of his son, Okonkwo. With the character Unoka we know that the Ibos are not only warlike people, but a nation with interests in art and music and a more peaceful side of life.
Nwoye (son)
Strengths: He is liked by everyone (except his own father), is sensitive, has a nontraditional lifestyle, studies to become a teacher.
Weaknesses: He is a little naive, lacks courage (timid), feelings come first (which is both a strength and a weakness ;-)).
In the same way as his grandfather, Nwoye shows us the gentle side of the Ibo life.
Obierika (best friend)
Strengths: Loyal, wise, a moralist, a thinker and well respected in the Umuofia clan.
Weaknesses: Does not have influence in the same way as Obierika.
Obierika is the counterpart of Okonkwo, but he is not at all weak and he is not a coward. “ I am not afraid of blood,” he says in Chapter 8. He reflects before he acts. He will obey the law, but not blindly. Like Unoka and Nwove, Obierika shows other aspects of the Ibo people: The thoughtful and perspective aspects. Through Obierika we learn how one has to adjust to modern life and new ways of living.
Ikemefuna (lives with Okonkwo ´s family, Okonkwo ends up killing Ikemefuna)
Strengths: He is able to integrate/assimilate into the new culture and becomes close to Okonkwo´s family.
Weaknesses: Has to follow what is decided for him. He has no influence on his own life.
The murder of Ikemefuna shows us the brutal action-without-thinking side of Okonkwo, but in his sorrow this incident, we also, for the first time, realize that Okonkwo has human emotions. He is distressed, upset and in deep sorrow.
Ekwefi (second wife)
Strengths: She is a strong woman, will do everything for her beloved ones. She shows this in particular when Ezinma is taken by the priestess.
Weaknesses: She has a painful past, and her life is full of sadness.
Through Ekwefi, we learn that women in the Ibo culture can be strong and wise.
Ezinma (child of Ekwefi and Okonkwo)
Strengths: She is a loved child. She has a close relationship to her mother, and is her father´s favourite child. Besides, she is beautiful.
Weaknesses: Her destiny as a woman in Umuofia is decided.
Through Okonkwo´s relationship to Ezinma (and Ekwefi), we learn that Okonkwo also has a gentler side, with human emotions and affections.
THINGS FALL APART 