Throughout the novel The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, the man becomes less certain of the moral framework he initially accepted without question.

The unnamed protagonist of the novel does not change dramatically, but he does begin to doubt his worldview. He does this because of the universal corruption around him. When he is offered a bribe, he has no hesitation about turning it down. The merchant who offers him the bribe is incredulous and even amused that he would do so, but the man thinks that this is only the reaction to be expected from a corrupt merchant.

However, Oyo, the man's wife, takes the same attitude, as does her mother. Both associate the man's poverty with his integrity. The man also sees that his friend Koomson has a more glamorous and exciting life than he does, albeit a more dangerous one. The man does not act on his doubts by engaging in corruption, but his integrity is shaken and challenged. He is no longer certain that his principles are the right ones.