Argument Essay - Is Okonkwo (of Achebe's Things Fall Apart) a Hero?
Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines a hero as “A mythological or legendary figure of great strength or ability”, or “A man admired for his achievements and abilities”. Although he has his flaws, Okonkwo from Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart fits this definition of a hero. As a true historical person, Okonkwo is not a mythological figure, but he does fit the criteria of a real hero. Okonkwo is a hero because he is brave, powerful, and self-motivated.
One of the primary reasons Okonkwo is a hero is his bravery. Throughout Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo shows his bravery in many situations. One of these situations was when “in Umofia’s latest war he was the first to bring home a human head. That was his fifth head, and he was not an old man yet” (page 10). Okonkwo’s ability to fight in battle and risk his life for his clan proves that he is brave. The clan shows their respect for Okonkwo’s bravery by making him their messenger when delivering a declaration of war. On page 12, “Okonkwo of Umuofia arrived at Mbaino as the proud and imperious emissary of war, he was treated with great honor and respect, and two days later he returned home with a lad of fifteen and a young virgin”. Most people would be afraid to go to a hostile village and demand slaves or threaten war, but brave Okonkwo rises to the occasion.
In addition to his bravery, Okonkwo is a very powerful person. In the beginning of the text, we learn that Okonkwo “had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat…the great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten” (page 3). Okonkwo’s strength in wrestling is a symbol for his personal power, which grows as he ages in the book. Achebe points out how powerful Okonkwo is on page 8, saying “he was a wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams, and had just married his third wife. To crown it all he had taken two titles…he was already one of the greatest men of his time”. To the Ibo people, taking a title is the equivalent of becoming a
One of the primary reasons Okonkwo is a hero is his bravery. Throughout Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo shows his bravery in many situations. One of these situations was when “in Umofia’s latest war he was the first to bring home a human head. That was his fifth head, and he was not an old man yet” (page 10). Okonkwo’s ability to fight in battle and risk his life for his clan proves that he is brave. The clan shows their respect for Okonkwo’s bravery by making him their messenger when delivering a declaration of war. On page 12, “Okonkwo of Umuofia arrived at Mbaino as the proud and imperious emissary of war, he was treated with great honor and respect, and two days later he returned home with a lad of fifteen and a young virgin”. Most people would be afraid to go to a hostile village and demand slaves or threaten war, but brave Okonkwo rises to the occasion.
In addition to his bravery, Okonkwo is a very powerful person. In the beginning of the text, we learn that Okonkwo “had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat…the great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten” (page 3). Okonkwo’s strength in wrestling is a symbol for his personal power, which grows as he ages in the book. Achebe points out how powerful Okonkwo is on page 8, saying “he was a wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams, and had just married his third wife. To crown it all he had taken two titles…he was already one of the greatest men of his time”. To the Ibo people, taking a title is the equivalent of becoming a