A Fallen Hero Essay Research Paper The

A Fallen Hero Essay, Research Paper

The tragic hero demonstrates great dedication and sacrifice; as well as

standing as a symbol of goodness and justice. His acts of courage and

strength are however no match for his tragic flaw, which eventually lead to

his downfall. In Chinua Achebe?s novel Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo the

main character of the story plays the role of a tragic hero. Okonkwo?s

greatest fear of becoming a failure like his father, Unoka, is the fuel of his

success as well as the cause of his tragic downfall.

Okonkwo?s resentment towards his father motivates his great rise to

prosperity. For example, Okonkwo is so ashamed of his father as a young

boy that when he grows older, ?[He] [is] ruled by one passion- to hate

everything that his father, Unoka has loved. One of those things [is]

gentleness and the other [is] idleness? (pg. 13). Okonkwo detests Unoka for

allowing his weaknesses rule his life. He is so shamed of having such an

unavailing and indolent man as a father, that he vows to never become like

him. He is so driven by this determination to distance himself from any

possible similarities between him and his father, that he immediately strives

to be his extreme opposite. As a result, where Unoka lacks Okonkwo

thrives. In addition, when Okonkwo first begins to establish a life of his

own, ? …He [does] not have the start in which many young men [have]

[received from their fathers]. But inspire of these disadvantages…he

[begins]…to lay the foundations of a prosperous future, possessed by the fear

of his father?s contemptible life and shamed death? (pg. 18). Okonkwo

begins his difficult climb to success with nothing but the hope of a better

life than the one his father shows. He disciplines himself to be a hard

worker, never once showing any signs of failure. Furthermore, through

many years of struggle he becomes, ?…A wealthy [man]. To crown it all he

[has] taken two titles and although [he] [is] still young, he is already one of

the greatest men of his time? (pg. 8). Okonkwo strives to be the best in

order to escape the chance of repeating his father?s ignominious life and

eventually earns the revere of the clan. Okonkwo?s determination to rise

above his fathers less than reputable status eventually leads him to the

success he was in search for.

Okonkwo?s efforts to uphold his masculine decorum as a man of great

strength and little weaknesses result in hardship. For example, when

Okonkwo is upset with his youngest wife for being irresponsible,?…he beats

her heavily [and] in his anger he has forgotten the week of peace? (pg. 29).

Okonkwo is a very demanding person who believes that using physical

action is the only way a real man keeps order in his house hold. He is

easily enraged and because of his stubborn determination to lead a life free

of weakness, he is impossible to control. In Okonko?s fury to immediately

keep his wife in line, he absent-mindedly breaks the sacred honoring to the

gods and as a result receives punishment as well. In addition, when

Okonkwo discovered that Nwoye was among the men whom were

converting to Christianity, ?[He] seized a heavy stick that lay on the dwarf

wall and hit [Nwoye] two or three savage blows. [When Okonkwo finally]

left hold of [him] Nwoye…walked away and never returned? (pg., 152).

Okonkwo?s rigidity ultimately destroys his relationship with his son.

Instead of encouraging Nwoye against accepting the guidance of the

Christian leaders, Okonkwo pushes him further and further into his

newfound faith. Nwoye eagerly adopts his new way of life as means of

escape from his father?s dominance. Furthermore, when Ikemefuna ran

towards Okonkwo for protection as the men from the clan were attempting

to kill him, ? Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down [because] he

was afraid of being thought weak? (pg. 61). Although Okonkwo never

outwardly displays his great affection for Ikemufuna, he undoubtedly feels

and treats him as if he is his son. Okonkwo admires Ikemefuna?s

willingness to work and ability to learn quickly, but despite his fondness for

him, Okonkwo finds it impossible to withdraw in assisting Ikemefuna?s

murder. He refuses to be thought of as a ?woman? by allowing his

emotions interfere with his responsibility to the clan. In Okonkwo?s strive

to prove his strength he distances himself from the ones he love.

Okonkwo?s overwhelming frustration in his himself as well as in his

clan lead him to his final days. For example, when Okonkwo joins the

gathering to hear Egonwanne speak out against the plan to fight the

missionaries, he tells Obeirika, ? I do not care what he does to you. I despise

all who listen to him. I shall fight alone…? (pg. 201). Okonkwo is

painfully disappointed in his clan for their feeble attempts to defeat the

white men without the obvious solution of using warfare. He is frustrated

with their ?womanly? decision

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