“Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper…”

Okonkwo was obsessed with proving his masculinity, he was harsh with his children and wives. The wives feared him and in sometimes try to protect one another for he was constantly beating his wife.  While some may think that beating a woman is what makes you a real man, I agree with the others who say that beating a woman only proves that they are really weak at heart.