Things Tend To Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart has a specific aspect to it that gives it something different from that of other historical fiction novels, which is the level of humanity given to the novel's characters. In this case, specifically Nwoye. Although the novel primarily focuses around Okonkwo, the amount of emotion and character given to Nwoye is substantial. During key moments in the novel, Nwoye exhibits certain emotions that men in his society, especially his father, consider womanly. One such moment is when Okonkwo returns from having killed Ikemefuna. Without a word being spoken, Nwoye knew what had happened and this caused him to give up being what his father wanted: a strong, self-sufficient man who never showed his emotions aside from anger. Ikemefuna's death was the trigger to Nwoye's division from his faith.
I'm particularly intrigued by his dynamic because of how easily it can be related to. He loses faith in his religion when he sees it forsake those that don't seem to deserve its wrath, and he divides from it. I respect that, because he was willing to forego the wishes of his father to be a strong man and pursue a life that fit him. He chose to divide, knowing it would upset his father, in the name of personal enlightenment.