How does Okonkwo's relationship with Ekwefi and Ezinma help develop his character in Things Fall Apart?

Ekwefi was the village beauty. She left her husband to
become the wife of Okonkwo. No doubt, this boosted Oknokwo's ego. He won Ekwefi's heart
when he wrestled Amalinze the Cat and won the championship. Ekwefi and Okonkwo have an
only child together, Ezinma. Ezinma is Okonkwo's favorite daughter. He has a tenderness
for Ezinma that reveals Okonkwo is capable of showing his tender feelings. He becomes
even gentle around Ezinma.

When Ezinma becomes sick,
Okonkwo seeks the help of a medicine man. He goes to great lengths to see that Ezinma
gets well. Okonkwo's tender emotions reveal that he has the ability to show
love.

Ekwefi lives for Ezinma and Okonkwo knows this. He
loves both Ekwefi and Ezinma. Ezinma understands him like no one else. He becomes
emotional around Ezinma. He shares tender moments with her. He proves he has a heart
around Ezinma.

Ezinma is bold in the way she approaches
Okonkwo and he allows it. He shows her his attention, love and
respect:

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Ezinma alone seems to win Okonkwo’s full
attention, affection, and, ironically, respect. She and he are kindred spirits, which
boosts her confidence and
precociousness.

Ezinma is the
pride and joy of her parents. She manages to change Okonkwo into a caring man. He
definitely has a softness when Ezinma is around:

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Okonkwo favors his daughter, who is not only as
beautiful as her mother once was, but who grows to understand her father and his moods
as no one else does. Father and daughter form a special
bond.

Okonkwo and Ekwefi
treat Ezinma as their equal. She is favored and gets away with more things than the
other children.

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Okonkwo and Ekwefi treat Ezinma like she is their
equal rather than their child. They permit her privileges that other family and tribal
children are not
granted.

Truly, Okonkwo
adores Ezinma. He showers her with attention, love and respect. He mutters that she
should have been born a boy because of her masculine
traits:

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Okonkwo's only regret towards Ezinma is that she
is not a boy.

No doubt,
Ekwefi and Ezinma have a way of touching Okonkwo. He shows his love for them in a
special way. Ekwefi and Ezinma have a way of breaking down Okonkwo's tough exterior. He
becomes tender and caring in their presence.