The plot of Anowa heavily centers on the impact of tradition and the consequences of challenging societal expectations. Anowa defies many of these traditions. Since reaching puberty, she has refused to marry, going against local customs. For six years, she has turned down every suitor. Her choices leave her concerned mother puzzled and her father somewhat bewildered. Anowa has always stood out—often labeled as wild and unusual—but her nonconformist views alienate her from others.

This becomes even more complicated after she marries Kofi Ako. She helps him launch a skin-trading business and plays a crucial role in its success. Traditionally, women are expected to manage the home and avoid business activities. At first, Kofi Ako appreciates her support, but he soon desires a wife who follows traditional roles. He even proposes buying slaves for their business. Anowa is appalled by the idea of owning people, though Kofi Ako insists it's a common practice. Despite her protests, he purchases slaves, accumulating wealth, a large home, and many slaves. Anowa remains firm in her refusal to conform, rejecting luxurious clothes and refusing to use slaves. Her defiance of tradition leads to an empty marriage and ultimately results in her own suicide and that of Kofi Ako. Although Anowa remains true to her convictions, her stance causes pain for those around her.

Anowa's pride is the driving force behind her actions. Although her behavior may seem erratic or unconventional to some, it serves as her foundation for morality and self-respect. Anowa pays no mind to the opinions of others, instead adhering to her own beliefs and ignoring the other characters' focus on tradition and customs. She refuses to marry any of the suitors who propose to her simply because she doesn't want to. When she finally encounters Kofi Ako, the man she desires to marry, she goes through with it despite her parents' disapproval. Work is highly significant to Anowa, and she is eager for her husband to succeed, so she actively participates in his business endeavors. Although Kofi Ako does not understand her motivation to work so hard, it is a source of pride for Anowa.

Anowa's pride extends to her interactions with others as well. When Kofi Ako proposes buying slaves to reduce their workload and enhance their business, Anowa is horrified. Her pride is tempered by her respect for human dignity. In the second phase, she tells him, "Kofi, no man made a slave of his friend and came to much himself. It is wrong. It is evil." Nevertheless, Kofi Ako ignores her objections and purchases the slaves anyway. As their wealth grows, Anowa becomes more discontented, and their marriage begins to deteriorate. With less to keep her occupied, she clings to her pride but feels increasingly disconnected from the world. In many ways, her pride contributes to her downfall. Her commitment to her principles is a testament to her strength, but it also leads to her tragic end, culminating in the suicides of both her and her husband.

Many decisions in Anowa have far-reaching consequences. Badua's attitude towards Anowa leads directly to Anowa's promise never to return to Yebi, a vow she ultimately keeps. Furthermore, the decisions made by Kofi Ako and Anowa seem to play a role in their inability to have children. Initially, Anowa blames herself for their childlessness and frequently suggests that Kofi Ako take another wife to remedy the situation. However, Kofi Ako rejects this idea and instead chooses to buy slaves, believing that wealth will resolve their issues. This decision puts an immense strain on their marriage, pushing it to its breaking point. Anowa interprets his actions as proof of his impotence, seeing him as less than a man. Her public accusation culminates in their mutual, albeit separate, suicides. Anowa demonstrates the profound impact of challenging decisions and how they significantly affect lives like Anowa's.