Okonkwo thinks of his father as a negative example -- as someone not to be. Why is this so? Are there any qualities in his father that can be considered positive ones in the community?

Unoka was Okonkwo's father. He died when Okonkwo was very young, and he was a failure. Shame for Unoka drives Okonkwo to work tirelessly. Unoka died in debt and humiliation; the memory of him gives Okonkwo a terrible fear of failure. I think Unoka had a good sense of humor and the ability to tell stories. His talents were not in making wealth or chasing "masculine" traits. Okonkwo could have learned how to be more of a balanced person from his father.