Character Analysis
Obika is Ezeulu's son and is an irresponsible young man who drinks too much and acts impulsively. One example of his impulsive behavior is the time when he almost kills his half-sister's husband. Everybody lets Obika get away with his rash actions, however, because he's so handsome. In the course of the novel, Obika changes. Two things change him: the humiliation of being whipped publicly by the white man and getting married. His marriage in particular seems to help Obika to grow. But Obika doesn't have a chance to explore his new found maturity and wisdom. Almost as soon as he gains it, he dies suddenly.