The cause and effect of one’s actions and how it affects others is exemplified throughout Oedipus in Oedipus the King and Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart. In these two stories Okonkwo and Oedipus share the same qualities that affect both of their lives. The effects of their actions lead to disruption, disrespect, and dissapointment.
The two selected works that I chose include Oedipus the King by Sophocles and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Oedipus in Oedipus The King relates to my theme statement in multiple ways. Throughout the story, Oedipus is fulfilling his prophecy that he has yet to find out, the prophecy is that he will marry his Mother and murder his Father. Once he fulfills the prophecy he affects the people of Thebes by proving
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He also affects his relationship with his children and friends. He does not want them to see what he has done with his Mother and his Father. At the end of the story the Chorus said, “Citizens who dwell in Thebes, look at Oedipus here, who knew the answer to the famous riddle and was a power in the land. On his good fortune all the citizens gazed with envy. Into what a stormy sea of dreadful trouble he has come now. Therefore we must call no man happy while he waits to see the last day, not until he has passed the border of life and death without suffering pain.” (Sophocles, 83) This quote shows us the trouble he is in ever since he fulfilled the prophecy. The effects of his actions include adultery, murder, and incest which have all lead to the global characteristic of guilt. Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart relates to my theme statement. Towards the middle of the book Okonkwo has to kill his adopted son Ikemefuna to prove his strength to his fellow villagers and he does not want appear weak like his Father. After Ikemefuna’s death, Okonkwo feels deep sorrow, regret, and disappointment. He gets so depressed he can’t eat, drink and feels weak inside. “Okonkwo did not taste any food for two days after the death of Ikemefuna. He