In this quote, Okonkwo is trying to say that you will know a boy will turn into a great man from the beginning. Nwoye had "feminine" aspects from when he was a kid, such as liking stories from his mother which were more joyful, than stories from his father, which were more violent. Knowing this, Okonkwo gave up on Nwoye, showing an example of a growing division which ultimately led to white people taking over Ibo lands and tarnishing the reputation of the native's.