In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, there are many tragic events that led up to the death of the main character, Okonkwo. Okonkwo, who finds himself unable to adapt to the changes taking place in society, is a personal tragedy. From this, we can learn that his death was indeed in vain. His refusal to change, which contrasted with the society’s willingness to change, can be a key example that close mindedness has it's negative outcomes with very little to few positive outcomes. In many ways Achebe describes Okonkwo as a tragic hero, however there are some qualities in which it could be claimed he is not.
According to Aristotle's Characteristics of a "Tragic Hero" (noble birth, hamartia, peripeteia, anagnorisis, and hubris), Okonkwo can …show more content…
"He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messenger escape. They had broken into tumult instead of action.” (Achebe 151) When Okonkwo notices his flaw late in the book, Okonkwo figures out that the tribe isn't going to fight, he realizes his willingness to do what it takes to show his strength is too much. The tribe doesn't agree with his need for fighting, this is when he particularly notices his flaw. As soon as this realization of his flaw is noticed, he hangs himself. Hubris is a typical flaw in the personality of a character who enjoys a powerful position; as a result of which, he overestimates his capabilities; excessive pride. “he was not the man to go about telling the neighbours that he was in error.” (Achebe 22) Okonkwo's excessive pride causes him to break moral cultural laws when he beats his wife during the week of peace, and when he helps kill Ikemefuna. "Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.'' (Achebe 44) His pride cause him to ignore the culture in order to prove his manliness. Okonkwo’s fear of unmanliness, caused him to act harshly toward his tribesmen, his family and himself. With all of these characteristics, it can be said that Okonkwo was indeed a tragic
According to Aristotle's Characteristics of a "Tragic Hero" (noble birth, hamartia, peripeteia, anagnorisis, and hubris), Okonkwo can …show more content…
"He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messenger escape. They had broken into tumult instead of action.” (Achebe 151) When Okonkwo notices his flaw late in the book, Okonkwo figures out that the tribe isn't going to fight, he realizes his willingness to do what it takes to show his strength is too much. The tribe doesn't agree with his need for fighting, this is when he particularly notices his flaw. As soon as this realization of his flaw is noticed, he hangs himself. Hubris is a typical flaw in the personality of a character who enjoys a powerful position; as a result of which, he overestimates his capabilities; excessive pride. “he was not the man to go about telling the neighbours that he was in error.” (Achebe 22) Okonkwo's excessive pride causes him to break moral cultural laws when he beats his wife during the week of peace, and when he helps kill Ikemefuna. "Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak.'' (Achebe 44) His pride cause him to ignore the culture in order to prove his manliness. Okonkwo’s fear of unmanliness, caused him to act harshly toward his tribesmen, his family and himself. With all of these characteristics, it can be said that Okonkwo was indeed a tragic