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When Uchendu first appears in Part Two of the novel, his calm presence and humble wisdom offer a sense of relief from the tumultuous events of Part One. He is Okonkwo’s uncle on his mother’s side, and he graciously welcomes the family into Mbanta during their seven-year exile from Umuofia. Rather than jumping to conclusions about Okonkwo’s character or values, Uchendu intently listens as he allows his nephew to explain his predicament. This openness works to emphasize Uchendu’s role as a foil character for Okonkwo, a role which continues to develop throughout the rest of the novel. Both men are the leaders of their families, yet they approach that responsibility in very different ways. While Okonkwo is quick to anger and values displays of traditional masculinity, Uchendu’s strength comes from his ability to support his family through difficult times. He is not self-aggrandizing, even going so far as to emphasize the importance of women and the motherland when it comes to comforting others. This difference also emerges in their respective responses to the arrival of missionaries in Mbanta. Uchendu treads lightly and offers them land in the Evil Forest rather than killing them while Okonkwo seems ready to fight. Including Uchendu as a foil to Okonkwo helps call attention to the qualities which ultimately become his tragic downfall. Although Achebe does not offer any indication of what happens to Uchendu after Okonkwo leaves Mbanta, the fact that he has lived such a long life and endured so much suggests that he has the wisdom necessary to navigate an uncertain future.
