But there was no doubt that he liked the boy. (Page 2707) Later in the text, he chastises the boy and his son for their lackluster performance and compares them to himself at their age, but “Inwardly, Okonkwo knew that the boys were still too young to fully understand the difficult art to prepare sweet potatoes (a symbol of virility). But he thought one could not start too early…Okonkwo wanted his son to become a great farmer and a great man. It would eliminate the disturbing signs of laziness that she already thought she saw in him." (Page 2709) These quotes show that Okonkwo was understanding and aware of his stern attitude and inner feelings, but he hid them because he also feared that his son would become like his father and this worried him