What are the main features of Okonkwo's view of masculinity, and how does his view relate to that of other important characters in the novel?

Okonkwo views hard work as a masculine trait. He works
hard and insists that all those around him have the same work ethic. In fact, he beats
his wives and children to keep them in line. His oldest son Nwoye seems to have traits
like his grandfather, Unoka. Unoka, Okonkwo's father, was lazy. He did not work. He sat
around playing his flute and drinking palm wine. He borrowed money and owed money to
many different tribesmen.

Okonkwo detested his father. He
despised his laziness. Okonkwo became so hard because of his father's laziness. Okonkwo
feared that he would be useless as his father:

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While Okonkwo's appearance portrays a man people
fear, it belies the terror Okonkwo hides within himself. For his entire life, Okonkwo
has had to deal with having a father who is considered weak and lazy—"agabala" in the
tribe's terms.

That is why he
works so hard. Working hard and beating his wives and children makes Okonkwo feel
masculine. He rarely rested. He disliked the Week of Peace because it was against
tradition to work that week. Not working made Okonkwo
uncomfortable.

Okonkwo was a brave warrior as well. He had
five skulls hanging from his belt. This act caused Okonkwo to feel masculine. He drank
palm wine out of a human skull from someone he killed in war. Also, Okonkwo was
considered a great leader. He participated in governmental affairs. This is another
masculine trait of which Okonkwo was proud.

Okonkwo is
tough. He is masculine in his rough exterior. He despises gentleness and
idleness:

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Thus, he despises gentleness, idleness, and
demonstrations of sensitivity. He will not allow himself to show love, to enjoy the
fruits of hard work, or to demonstrate concern for others, nor can he tolerate these in
other men. He rules his family unit with an iron fist and expects everyone to act on his
commands.

Sadly, Okonkwo
could not get his clan to go to war against the white man who had come into the village.
For this reason he hung himself. Although Okonkwo considered himself masculine, he died
without honor. He had all the masculine traits, but he died without a proper burial
because he hung himself. After achieving great things in his life, he died without a
honorable burial. All of his masculine traits could not help him in
death.