NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
The tragic hero demonstrates great dedication and sacrifice; as well as standing as a symbol of goodness and justice. His acts of courage and strength are however no match for his tragic flaw, which eventually lead to his downfall. In China Achebes novel Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo the main character of the story plays the role of a tragic hero. Okonkwo's greatest fear of becoming a failure like his father, Unoka, is the fuel of his success as well as the cause of his tragic downfall. Okonkwo's resentment towards his father motivates his great rise to prosperity.
For example, Okonkwo is so ashamed of his father as a young boy that when he grows older, [He] [is] ruled by one passion- to hate everything that his father, Unoka has loved. One of those things [is] gentleness and the other [is] idleness (pg. 13). Okonkwo detests Unoka for allowing his weaknesses rule his life. He is so shamed of having such an unavailing and indolent man as a father, that he vows to never become like him.
He is so driven by this determination to distance himself from any possible similarities between him and his father, that he immediately strives to be his extreme opposite. As a result, where Unoka lacks Okonkwo thrives. In addition, when Okonkwo first begins to establish a life of his own, ... He [does] not have the start in which many young men [have] [received from their fathers]. But inspire of these disadvantages...
he [begins]... to lay the foundations of a prosperous future, possessed by the fear of his fathers contemptible life and shamed death (pg. 18). Okonkwo begins his difficult climb to success with nothing but the hope of a better life than the one his father shows. He disciplines himself to be a hard worker, never once showing any signs of failure. Furthermore, through many years of struggle he becomes, ... A wealthy [man].
To crown it all he [has] taken two titles and although [he] [is] still young, he is already one of the greatest men of his time (pg. 8). Okonkwo strives to be the best in order to escape the chance of repeating his fathers ignominious life and eventually earns the revere of the clan. Okonkwo's determination to rise above his fathers less than reputable status eventually leads him to the Okonkwo's efforts to uphold his masculine decorum as a man of great strength and little weaknesses result in hardship. For example, when Okonkwo is upset with his youngest wife for being irresponsible, ... he beats her heavily [and] in his anger he has forgotten the week of peace (pg. 29). Okonkwo is a very demanding person who believes that using physical action is the only way a real man keeps order in his house hold.
He is easily enraged and because of his stubborn determination to lead a life free of weakness, he is impossible to control. In Okonkwos fury to immediately keep his wife in line, he absent-mindedly breaks the sacred honoring to the gods and as a result receives punishment as well. In addition, when Okonkwo discovered that Nwoye was among the men whom were converting to Christianity, [He] seized a heavy stick that lay on the dwarf wall and hit [Nwoye] two or three savage blows. [When Okonkwo finally] left hold of [him] Nwoye... walked away and never returned (pg. , 152). Okonkwo's rigidity ultimately destroys his relationship with his son.
Instead of encouraging Nwoye against accepting the guidance of the Christian leaders, Okonkwo pushes him further and further into his newfound faith. Nwoye eagerly adopts his new way of life as means of escape from his fathers dominance. Furthermore, when Ikemefunas ran towards Okonkwo for protection as the men from the clan were attempting to kill him, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down [because] he was afraid of being thought weak (pg. 61). Although Okonkwo never outwardly displays his great affection for Ikemefunas, he undoubtedly feels and treats him as if he is his son.
Okonkwo admires Ikemefunas willingness to work and ability to learn quickly, but despite his fondness for him, Okonkwo finds it impossible to withdraw in assisting Ikemefunas murder. He refuses to be thought of as a woman by allowing his emotions interfere with his responsibility to the clan. In Okonkwo's strive to prove his strength he distances himself from the ones he love. Okonkwo's overwhelming frustration in his himself as well as in his clan lead him to his final days. For example, when Okonkwo joins the gathering to hear Egonwanne speak out against the plan to fight the missionaries, he tells Obeirika, I do not care what he does to you.
I despise all who listen to him. I shall fight alone... (pg. 201). Okonkwo is painfully disappointed in his clan for their feeble attempts to defeat the white men without the obvious solution of using warfare. He is frustrated with their womanly decisions and refuses to give up with out a fight, even though he will be single-handedly battling against a cause most believe he has already lost. In addition, when Okonkwo kills the white mans messenger out of great rage, He knew Umufoia would not go to war. He knew because they let the other messengers escape... [and] he had heard voices asking: Why did he do it? (pg. 205).
Okonkwo feels helpless and alone in his now withering mission to uproot the missionaries from Umuofia. He is confounded of how such a strongly unified and culturally enriched clan could fall apart at the slightest persuasion of another culture. He feels he lives among strangers who no longer see him as the highly respected man he once was but as a crazed man blinded by his belief that violence is the only answer to their problems. Furthermore, when the Commissioner came to take Okonkwo away, he was already to late, Okonkwo's body was dangling [from the tree]... (pg. 207). Okonkwo commits suicide out of anguish of losing his lonely battle against the missionaries. He is convinced that his life long struggle to avoid his fathers likeness was all for nothing.
Seeing his people slowly abandon their way of life to adopt that of the white mans is a proof to him that he has failed in his mission to do away with these deceiving foreigners. There are many things that drive people to do well in life, but success has always come with a heavy price tag. The burning force that may push you to the top can very often be the same force that leaves you plunging to the ground. To be able to use a negative aspect of your life as your motivation in your search for success is a difficult thing to do. Many people who are capable of doing so often become so engulfed with achieving their goals out of a powerful fear of reliving that negative time in their life. Ironically in many cases this fear is what eventually destroys them.
Bibliography:
Free research essays on topics related to: tragic hero, white mans, father unoka, okonkwo, okonkwo's
Research essay sample on Tragic Hero Father Unoka
