Okonkwo is terrified that his sons converting to Christianity will abandon the traditions and values of their ancestors, leading to a loss of cultural identity. He fears that they will become weak and submissive, and ultimately betray their heritage. Additionally, Okonkwo sees conversion as a threat to his authority and a reflection of his failure to raise strong, traditional sons.
Okonkwo disowns Nwoye when he converts to Christianity. Okonwko originally assaults Nwoye when told of Nwoye's association with the Christians, resulting in Nwoye leaving the compound and joining the Christians.
Nwoye had converted to Christianity, forsaking the gods of his father and his father before him.
Okonkwo disowns Nwoye after he joins the Christians, claiming Nwoye is no longer his son, no longer his children's brother. Okonkwo tells his children, "You have all seen the abomination of your brother."
he converts to Christianity
Okonkwo was disturbed by Nwoye's decision to convert to Christianity because it went against their traditional Igbo beliefs and customs. Okonkwo saw Nwoye's actions as a betrayal of their cultural heritage and a sign of weakness. Additionally, Nwoye's conversion meant that he was turning away from his father's authority and control.
Okonkwo threatens to break Nwoye's jaw because Nwoye has converted to Christianity, which goes against Okonkwo's traditional Igbo beliefs and values. Okonkwo sees this as a betrayal and a threat to the family's honor.
The book does not say this explicitly until Nwoye joins the Christians, when Okonkwo calls him an abomination. However, Okonkwo often wishes that Nwoye was stronger, saying that at his age, he should already have impregnated a wife and taken a farm. Okonkwo also wishes that Nwoye were as strong a wrestler as Obierika's child, Okafo.
Okonkwo's disapproval and harsh treatment towards Nwoye, due to Nwoye's perceived weakness and differences in character, cause Nwoye to feel alienated, resentful, and eventually lead him to distance himself from his father and embrace Christianity when introduced to it by the missionaries. Okonkwo's rejection and lack of understanding of Nwoye's emotions and needs ultimately drive a wedge between them.
Nwoye initially felt fear and intimidation in response to Okonkwo's confrontations. However, as time passed, Nwoye began to distance himself from his father's harshness and eventually disassociated himself from Okonkwo and his beliefs.
This is not the case. Nwoye converts to Christianity, but does not wish to abandon his family. However, Okonkwo's temperament makes this impossible.
Okonkwo tells his remaining children that he is ashamed of Nwoye for joining Christianity and warns them not to follow his example. He emphasizes the importance of traditional values and cultural beliefs, urging them to stay loyal to their ancestral traditions.
Nwoye's actions in converting to Christianity and ultimately rejecting his father's traditions and beliefs disturbed Okonkwo because he saw it as a betrayal of their family and Igbo heritage. Okonkwo believed that Nwoye's change represented a weakening of their clan's identity and a rejection of the values that he held dear.