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Archetype In Things Fall Apart

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In "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, the tragic hero archetype of Okonkwo and the dramatic situation of "Adversus Deus ex Machina" are used to explore the devastating consequences of colonialism on indigenous people, and the impact of an individual's tragic flaw on their community's fate.

Okonkwo is a strong and respected member of his community, known for his courage, strength and success as a warrior and farmer. He is determined to be successful and to prove himself, and his determination is admirable. However, Okonkwo also has a tragic flaw, which is his fear of being weak or effeminate like his father. This fear drives him to be overly harsh and violent, particularly towards his family, and it ultimately leads to his downfall. Okonkwo's tragic flaw causes him to alienate his son Nwoye, who ultimately converts to Christianity and becomes an outcast in the community. Furthermore, Okonkwo's fear and anger also lead him to commit a crime, which is murder, and as a result, he is exiled from his community. He returns to find that his community is in disarray and unable to resist the colonizers and their culture, Okonkwo is unable to adapt or accept the changes that have taken place and ultimately takes his own life. …show more content…

The colonizers, with their advanced technology and culture, fundamentally change the way of life for the Igbo people, and Okonkwo finds himself powerless against their overwhelming influence. The colonizers are portrayed as a powerful and destructive force, destroying the traditional way of life for the Igbo people and leaving them struggling to maintain their identity and

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