Things fall Apart and Okonkwo; A Classic Greek Tragedy and...

Things Fall Apart and Okonkwo; A Classic Greek Tragedy and Tragic Hero Both the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, and its main character Okonkwo closely adhere to the definitions of a classic Greek tragedy and a typical tragic hero. First of all, Okonkwo is a tragic hero by the Greek definition. While Okonkwo wasn’t born to a nobleman or king (as the definition of a tragic hero states), he was a man of high status and respect in his community, as Obierika stated near the end of the book. â€Å"That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia.† (Achebe 208). Second, the novel follows the format of a Greek tragedy by presenting Okonkwo as a mixed character. He was a mixed character in that he was neither thoroughly good nor thoroughly†¦show more content†¦Okonkwo knew how to kill a man’s spirit.† (26). His dismissiveness towards this man is just one example of his hubris. The next part of a Greek tragedy, is the tragic hero’s moment of recognition of â€Å"the truth of his situation and/or of his identit y.† Okonkwo’s moment of recognition came when he realized that his people weren’t going to fight back against the white men and their religion. The arrival of these foreigners and their strange religion had brought the death of his clan and way of life with them. â€Å"Okonkwo was deeply grieved. And it was not just a personal grief. He mourned for the clan, which he saw breaking up and falling apart, and he mourned for the warlike men of Umuofia, who had so unaccountably become soft like women.† (183). At this point in the story of Okonkwo, he realizes the grim truth about the fate of his culture and people. Finally, Things Fall Apart, the story of Okonkwo, adheres to the model of a classic Greek tragedy in that it has a final katharsis, or â€Å"tragic representation of suffering and defeat that leaves an audience feeling, not depressed, but relieved and even elevated,† (Greek tragedy and tragic hero explanation sheet). Things Fall Apart’s katharsis, or emotional relief came when Okonkwo killed himself. Although such an event may seem like something that would make the reader feel defeated and depressed, it was through his suicide that Okonkwo made one final protest or stand against the white man. His suicide also allowed himShow MoreRelatedOkonkwo as Classic Greek Hero in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart1730 Words   |  7 PagesOkonkwo as Classic Greek Hero in Things Fall Apart      Ã‚  Ã‚   A sense of foreboding envelops us from the first. We sense all will not end well for Umuofia. The chill of fear grips us as the world of Okonkwo and his clan truly falls apart. Okonkwo will need all of his power to fight the forces against his world, but tragically he is crippled by the most destructive malady of all, fear of himself. Achebe employs the form of classical Greek tragedy to tell his African tale of the rise and fall ofRead More Okonkwos Tragic Flaws in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay3094 Words   |  13 Pagesparticular individuals or those they influence. Classic characters, like Odysseus and Oedipus for instance, exemplify the excess of some positive character trait, like pride or honesty, which ironically leads to their personal misfortune. Throughout literary history, particularly within Grecian writings and apparently still evident in todays international pieces, there exists continuity within the human fear of failure. Chinua Achebes novel, Things Fall Apart, details a remote native African societyRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1522 Words   |  7 PagesAristotle, a Greek philosopher, defines a tragic hero â€Å"as a person of noble or high status who displays a tragic flaw hamartia, and experiences a dramatic reversal peripateia. In addition, his downfall is often preceded by self-realization†. In Things Fall Apart, the author uses Okonkwo, to illustrate the downfall of pre-colonial Ibo society. In the beginning, Okonkwo was destined for greatness. He was strong, economically stable, and had a huge influence over the village’s affairs. One may sayRead MoreEssay on Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe3009 Words   |  13 Pageswith cultural identity in colonized societie s and the ways in which writers articulate that identity. Things Fall Apart is a good novel that serves as a reminder of what Nigeria once was. It shows how a society can deal with change, how change affects the individuals of that society, and how delicate a change can be; so much so that the people themselves are surprised at the change. Things Fall Apart is an English novel by the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe which was published in 1957. Throughout the