Ekwefi and Ezinme

In the last few chapters of Part One,  Achebe gives the reader a lot  interesting insight into Okonkwo's  life, from family life to tribal commitments. However, Achebe also gives the reader deep insight into Ekwefi's life. Ekwefi is Okonkwo's second wife. Together they share a daughter named Ezinma. Okonkwo attitude towards her gives the reader the impression that he is very fond of her. At one point in the first part, he even talks about how he wished his first son, Nwoye,  was more like Ezinma. While this sort of relationship is unique for Igbo people, Ezinma's relationship with Ekwefi is even more unique. Ezinma and her mother share a very informal connect. Instead of referring to her mother as mother, she refers to her by her first name. In a society where age demands respect, this is very strange.  It is very likely that this odd behavior is due to Ekwefi's multiple miscarriages and the deaths of all her previous children at young ages. Because Ezinma is Ekwefi's only child to have survived childhood, it is likely Ekwefi does this as a way of not identifying Ezinma as her child in case she dies. However, Ekewefi does not let this kind of mentality affect her feelings for Ezinma. Her feelings come to the readers full attention in the last chapter of Part One when she follows Chielo, a priestess who has taken Ezinma to her shrine, through the night. Ekewefi only relaxes once she knows Ezinma is safe, which is when Okonkwo arrives at her side