Later, Obi cannot understand how his father can be such a devoted Christian. These relationships are all very typical, in that the son will never want to make the same mistakes as his father and sometimes go too far in the opposite direction to prove his point. The notion of family appeals to all cultures, so it is a useful idea in the rehabilitation of Africans in literature. Apart demonstrates the societal problems that happen when the white man enters African land with the wrong priorities, but the family does not really fall apart. Yes, Nwoye leaves his family for the church, but his actions are no less extreme than his father's seething emotions against Unoka.
Obi lives in a world that still respects the family ties.
We, as Western readers, can identify with these family issues because we experience them as well. Western women may not have to worry about co-wives, but they do understand headstrong sons, sickly daughters, and husbands who have an eye on the young ladies. We share many common bonds with these African natives, and the authors make use of these bonds as much as they can. All three of these authors want to change attitudes that much is clear. Achebe and Soyinka want to change attitudes outside of their cultures, and Ba is concerned with changing attitudes within her culture.