Okonkwo, a tragic hero

I found the different resources and articles that appear before and after the novel in this addition to be especially helpful. As I was reading the section titled “Technique and Theme in Things Fall Apart”, I came across a comparison between Okonkwo and a typical hero in Greek tragedy. I can definitely see the connection now that I think back to when we covered greek tragedy sophomore year because Okonkwo shares many of the same characteristics of Sophocles’s Oedipus or any other tragic hero for that matter. For example:

o   Okonkwo holds an insecurity caused by his father’s weakness that eventually triggers his demise. His fear of not being a great warrior or appearing effeminate is essentially his “tragic flaw”, and what brings about eternal disappointment.

o   Because Okonkwo holds a tragic flaw, he undergoes a tragic event which results in his demise. As he beheads a Christian in a moment of intense hatred and war-like instinct, Okonkwo initiates his downfall and ultimately takes his own life.

o   After his dramatic murder, Okonkwo finally realizes that he can’t reverse his tribe’s new transformation no matter how hard he tries. This increased self-awareness is like that of a tragic hero.

o   When the novel reveals that Okonkwo has committed suicide, the audience can’t help but feel shock and sorrow for him, especially as Obierka tells the white men that they drove one of the greatest men in Umuofia to kill himself.