Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart, tells the story of Okonkwo. As a fearful and stubborn protagonist, the novel maintains a clear focus on his thoughts and actions. Through the distorted perspective of a character-driven narrative, Achebe presents the complexities and subtleties of life in the Ibo community. Although the rigid framing of Okonkwo's fears and beliefs limits most of the narrative to his myopic account of Ibo life, the views of those who conflict with his own can be seen on the periphery of the text. These alternatives to the central narrative, at first, appear distant and peripheral possibilities of reality, but through the associations between repeated terms and the recurrence of themes the novel prefigures the importance and influence of this alternative perspective. Perspectives that, in the end, will overwhelm Okonkwo. The clearest examples of these divisions in understanding often involve the treatment and actions of characters who, at the beginning of the narrative, have no voice or power in the eyes of Okonkwo or the clan. However, as the influence of these characters becomes more and more visible in the clan's life and future, the revelation of such importance destroys Okonkwo's reality. Okonkwo's as well as the clan's understanding of gender roles presents the first, and most recurring, conflict between perspectives. Okonkwo, in line with the tradition of a patriarchal society, sees women as inferior. She often wishes her daughter, Ezinma, “had been a boy” (64). This desire reflects a practice, consistent with both Okonkwo and his clan, of devaluing women's experiences and importance to society. However, the extent of this devaluation becomes unclear through the dialogue and…middle of paper…taking of Nwoye, who left and never returned” (152) provides evidence of Okonkwo’s inability to alter his perception. Specifically, the phrase “he let go” implies that the decision was made by Okonkwo. Okonkwo could not allow his son to remain his son while demonstrating traits that he believed were opposite to what he thought a son should retain. This quote clearly demonstrates another difference between Okonkwo's point of view and that of the clan. Although the clan has made compromises with the church, Okonkwo completely rejects the idea, to the point of exiling his son. Once again appealing to the gendered definition of weakness, “If any of you would rather be a woman, let him follow Nwoye” (172). This ultimate rejection by his own family provides the ultimate proof of his damnation, a fate that had at one point been prepared for him..