Character Analysis - Ezinma

Ezinma 

Ezinma is Okonkwo’s eldest daughter and Ekwefi’s only child. Throughout the novel, Okonkwo favorites Ezinma as she portrays a masculine character, one of which he would hope to see in his sons. Overall, Ezinma is a kind and loving spirit, and a rather conventional yet static and flat character, as she does not display a drastic change in her personality throughout the novel. Although she is a minor character, she develops Okonkwo’s values based on who he is as a person. For example, when Ezinma falls sick with a fever, Okonkwo rushes desperately to find medicinal herbs to cure her at a fast rate. This contradicts with the original depiction of his character as being “strong willed” and “masculine”, unable to show very much femininity and weakness.

In terms of her character’s values, Ezinma presents love as she positively identifies with her family and has high respect for the way others are treated. Her selflessness and willingness to help others presents her character as a very kindred and loving spirit. Secondly, Ezinma highly entails the Ibo religion and culture. For example, when she falls sick with a fever, we learn that she is considered to be the obanjee child – one that is sacred and has gone through many cycles of life (birth, dying, reentering her mother’s womb). In order to break the cycle, she is forced to locate her iyi-uwa that will heal her (magic stone). Although Ezinma is Okonkwo’s favorite child, his character adheres very strictly to the roles of female and male action prescribed by the Ibo culture. For example, he does not allow her to do certain things such as carrying a chair for a certain distance as this is a “boy’s task”. And after a pause she said: “Can I bring your chair for you?”“No, that is a boy’s job.” (Chapter 5) Okonkwo was specially fond of Ezinma. Okonkwo’s strict attachment to gender roles prevents him from showing such passionate affection towards his daughter.

Ezinma’s character throughout Things Fall Part serves as the exemplary ideal definition of a child. This is commonly seen through her relationship with her father, Okonkwo as he values her with much respect and prefers her to his son as she presents an ideal masculine spirit. Furthermore, her relationship with Okonkwo reveals her character to be one that is influential over others and their actions. Ezinma’s character is rather different from other individuals in her family. This is seen through the relationship that she has with her mother. Unlike others, Ezinma addresses Ekwefi by her first name, as if they were equals. “Ekwefi,” she said, “is it true that when people are grown up, fire does not burn them?” Ezinma, unlike most children, called her mother by her name.