Okonkwo In Things Fall Apart

In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the main protagonist Okonkwo follows the classic tragic hero’s definition very closely. Okonkwo is the leader of the Igno community located in Umuofia. Okonkwo is described as a tall, well built, manly man. He has bushy eyebrows and a wide nose that gives him a tough look. Okonkwo has 3 wives, and lots of children who all live in his compound. Okonkwo is very short tempered, and often acts spontaneously, which often results in poor decisions. Throughout the duration of his life, Okonkwo lives in fear of weakness and failure.

A tragic hero in most stories is a main character that hold a position of power, and possesses a flaw. In Okonkwo’s case, he is a very popular and famous man. He is the leader of

At first Okonkwo resents Ikemefuna because he is a weak, feminine boy. As the book progresses however their relationship grows and their relationship becomes more of a father son relationship. Before things fall apart, Ikemefuna is ordered to be killed. Strictly advised by Ogbuefi Ezudu, Okonkwo is to not take part in the killing of Ikemefuna. Although told not to, Okonkwo’s heedless ears ignored the advice and went forth to killing Ikemefuna. In a desperate act, Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna to display his unbreakable stature. Unfortunately for Okonkwo, nothing goes his way from here on out. At a ceremony for the death of Ezeudu, Okonkwo is part of the gun ceremonial shooting. As learned earlier, Okonkwo is very inexperienced with guns. In the blink of an eye Okonkwo’s rifle misfires and pierces Ezeudu’s son in the heart, killing him on the spot. In compliance with the earth goddess, Okonkwo is banished from Umuofia for seven years. All Okonkwo once had would soon all be destroyed. Along with his house and farm, his reputation and dignity are set aflame. This sets Okonkwo into great grief and remorse, and he begins to regret his decisions. Okonkwo goes through a depressive phase, “Okonkwo did not taste any food for two days after the death of Ikemefuna” (pg.63, TFA). Deep down he has remorse but has to keep his feelings to

With the arrival of the white man, was the spread of Christianity. Okonkwo hated the new ideas. Okonkwo is a very religiously intolerant man, he feels as if his native culture is being destroyed, and wants to protect it as best he can. The white missionaries established churches and won lots of converts, including one of Okonkwo’s sons, Nwoye. Okonkwo is enraged to find this out. Nwoye is starting to resemble the father he always hated. Okonkwo is buried in sorrow, and cannot balance