Change

One concept that is explored in the novel is change versus tradition. As white men and missionaries take over the village, Okonkwo is determined to maintain his village's tradition and resist change. Also, this desire to resist Christianity taking over the village is due to an inner-struggle within Okonkwo that contains fear of becoming cowardly like his father, Unoka, and fear of bringing shame to his village. Throughout his life, Okonkwo was determined to never be like his father, Unoka, and it was shown through his determination to eliminate the threat of white men taking over the village