The eldest son of Okonkwo who is seen by his father to be too similar to his own father in his unfitness and his inability to do much. Okonkwo goes too far in punishing his son with beatings and so forth that he sees his son more as a mission than as his own family, a mission to complete. 

The arrival of Ikemefuna does spark something developmental in Nwoye that makes him more active and masculine, which Okonkwo enjoys. He converts to Christinanity, however, and is criticised harshly by his father for his switching of beliefs.