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Examples Of Heroism In Things Fall Apart

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In Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe shows tragic heroism through a dominant and hardworking character to pull the reader into rooting for their success. While Joseph Conrad uses tragic heroism in Heart of Darkness with a much more passive and mysterious character. Each story shows this through a similar circumstance of colonialism, Conrad from Europe's perspective, and Achebe from Africa's. Aristotle defines a Tragic Hero as a character who is relatable and makes a strong impression on the reader, as well as causes their own tragedy. This "tragic flaw" is commonly their biggest strength, as well as their largest weakness. In Heart of Darkness Conrad shows tragic heroism through Kurtz, while in Things Fall Apart, it is shown through Okonkwo. …show more content…

For example, Achebe shows Okonkwo as someone who never shows fear, and is seemingly invincible. However, as you read farther into the text you find that Okonkwo really does have feelings. He cares about many things that he would not like to admit, so instead he just hides it. In Things Fall Apart it reads, "Even Okonkwo himself became very fond of the boy-inwardly of course. Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger." This shows the reader that while Okonkwo is rough around the edges, he isn't a terrible guy and he means well in his actions. He just wants those that he loves to be tough and succeed in life, unlike his father who Okonkwo refuses to follow. This gives the reader a reason to grow fond of Okonkwo, and to want him to accomplish great things because of his intentions. Conrad shows nearly the exact opposite in Heart of Darkness with Kurtz. Kurtz is seemingly a hardworking and very intelligent business man, although when Marlow finally reaches his camp, he finds Kurtz to be an extremely deceptive and shady character. In Heart of Darkness the text reads, "...All right, said I, after a time. Mr. Kurtz's reputation is safe with me. I did not know how truly I spoke." (Conrad,60) This text example shows Marlow reassuring the Russian that he won't ruin Kurtz reputation, while he's unsure of what to do. This shows how Kurtz reputation isn't what it seems to be, and his true colors are uncovered. In the end this causes the reader to dislike Kurtz because of his dishonesty and manipulation that he has been exposed

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Okonkwo is known throughout all nine villages for his self-wealth, strength but most of all his anger and temper. He is irrational and does not think logically, but thinks through his fists. He is incapable of showing remorse or emotion, and due to this lack of emotion, when someone starts to agitate him he immediately fights. Whether it be domestic violence towards his wife and children or picking fights with neighbors challenging him. Okonkwo’s family relationships make him a sympathetic character because he provides for his family which is what his father could not do and an unsympathetic character because of the constant domestic violence when something is not done to his expectations.

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The author, Chinua Achebe, used Okonkwo as an example of the father/son conflict and how the conflict affects a man’s life. Just because one does not always act like the typical strong, almost emotionless man, that does not mean one is coward. Okonkwo’s thought process leads to his demise because he cannot bear to see the strong willed tribe and culture he has known his whole life fail him: just

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In Things Fall Apart, the author uses Okonkwo’s brutal personality to create elaborate relationships between him and other characters. Throughout the book Okonkwo is seen as a strong and fearless leader in his family, and also in his village. Okonkwo’s biggest issue is his fear of portraying any weakness and he does everything possible to avoid it, sometimes taking things too far to do so. Okonkwo and Obierika are best of friends in throughout Things Fall Apart, which allows Obierika to acts as a conscience for Okonkwo. Obierika provides guidance and advice for Okonkwo when he strays in his actions and brings him back to reality.

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As Chinua Achebe revealed the story of Okonkwo within Things Fall Apart, he told of the progression of viciousness, harm to others, and the dangers of power that all arose from Okonkwo’s decisions. Over the course of the book, Okonkwo began to change into a far more vicious and power hungry person than he already was. Once the story began, Okonkwo broke away from the lack of power his father, Unoka, held

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Kurtz, allowing readers to see the overall madness recurring. Conrad uses specific diction to force readers to imagine the madness that must be going through Mr.Kurtz mind because of his geographical surroundings. Furthermore, Marlow disturbingly states “the air was warm, thick, heavy, sluggish. There was no joy in the brilliance of the sunshine... deserted, into the gloom.”

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Due to fear of being related to feminine and weakness, Okonkwo was always filled with anger which was

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He doesn’t want to be affectionate like his father and end up being a failure. Okonkwo was not a good father or husband and his family had to walk on eggshells around him in fear of his irrational anger. To Okonkwo, anger represents being strong and not weak. He constantly shows this emotion in his demeanor and soon it became the most important aspect for him. This is important because it shows how Okonkwo instilled fear into his family to not be seen as a failure.

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