Analysis Of Okonkwo's Hubris In Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo is a strong powerful man, but his fatal flaw is his hubris. Hubris is excessive pride or self-confidence, and is shown to the reader quickly early-on in the book. I think that Okonkwo is aware that he is a prideful man in the sense that he would rather fight with his fists than try to talk something out, because he knows he can win with his fists. “..whenever he was angry and could not get his words out quickly enough, he would use his fists.” (Achebe 4) I also think that Okonkwo is more aware of his own fear and failure within him rather than dwell on his own self-confidence. This fear stems from him not wanting to be like his father so he tries his hardest to become to opposite of him, and accomplishes that. However, in Igbo culture,
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Because of this, his life starts to spiral downward. It begins during the week of peace when he hits his wife. “In his anger he had forgotten that it was the Week of Peace. His first two wives ran out in great alarm pleading with him that it was the sacred week. But Okonkwo was not the man to stop beating somebody half-way through, not even for fear of a goddess”(Achebe 29-30). Here, it is clear to the reader that Okonkwo’s sense of pride does not get in the way of anything, not even the religious beliefs of the culture. After this event, occurs another one but this time he loses something great. Finally it was time for the boy that Umuofia had been taken from another clan and was living with Okonkwo to be killed; it was the Oracle’s word. During this time, the oldest man in Umuofia, Ogbuefi Ezedu says to Okonkwo, “That boys calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death… But I want you to have nothing to do with it. He calls you father” (Achebe 57). Even though Okonkwo was told not to have a hand in his death he goes with the clan members who are going to have a role in the killing of Ikemefuna. However, even though Okonkwo looked away and did not welcome the killing of Ike, when Ike runs toward him Okonkwo kills him. “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe 61). Okonkwo’s fatal flaw
Because of this, his life starts to spiral downward. It begins during the week of peace when he hits his wife. “In his anger he had forgotten that it was the Week of Peace. His first two wives ran out in great alarm pleading with him that it was the sacred week. But Okonkwo was not the man to stop beating somebody half-way through, not even for fear of a goddess”(Achebe 29-30). Here, it is clear to the reader that Okonkwo’s sense of pride does not get in the way of anything, not even the religious beliefs of the culture. After this event, occurs another one but this time he loses something great. Finally it was time for the boy that Umuofia had been taken from another clan and was living with Okonkwo to be killed; it was the Oracle’s word. During this time, the oldest man in Umuofia, Ogbuefi Ezedu says to Okonkwo, “That boys calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death… But I want you to have nothing to do with it. He calls you father” (Achebe 57). Even though Okonkwo was told not to have a hand in his death he goes with the clan members who are going to have a role in the killing of Ikemefuna. However, even though Okonkwo looked away and did not welcome the killing of Ike, when Ike runs toward him Okonkwo kills him. “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe 61). Okonkwo’s fatal flaw