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Things Fall Apart Okonkwo A Tragic Hero

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“A tragic hero is a person of noble birth with heroic or potentially heroic qualities. This person is fated by the Gods or by some supernatural force to doom and destruction or at least to great suffering.” Okonkwo in the book, “Things Fall Apart” is the character we follow though the whole story. His biggest fear is being looked upon like his father, who was a failure in everyone 's eyes and lived a life of hardship. Okonkwo is a tragic hero because he is important in Igbo society and ultimately led to his own downfall due to his fear of being weak. Iguedo, the home village of Okonkwo, was once a proud land. They believed in many gods and did many awful deeds they considered correct. A fellow female clansmen was killed by an opposing clan. A new boy named Ikemefuna lives with Okonkwo for many years, and they grew very close to one another. He loved him like a son until, “Yes, Umuofia has decided to kill him. The Oracle of the Hills and the Caves has pronounced it... But I want you to have nothing to do with it. He calls you his father" (57). Okonkwo still went because he was strong headed and did not want to be looked upon as weak. He also wanted to define the leaders but he did not want to upset the gods. Okonkwo walked with …show more content…

Okonkwo is also a tragic hero because of his fatal errors. Okonkwo had anger issues. At one point, one of his wives had cut a few leaves off the banana tree. “... Okonkwo gave her a sound beating and left her and her only daughter weeping.” (38). Afterwards he told her to go get his rusty gun, so he could go hunting. As she walked away, she “murmured something about guns that never shot.”(39). Okonkwo hear this and after retrieving his gun, ran out and shot at her. “He pressed the trigger and there was a loud report accompanied by the wail of his wives and children.”(39). Okonkwo has a very bad anger issue and takes out all his frustration on his family. He treats them awful and he cared more for Ikemefuna then anyone in his immediate

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