Work
Nathaniel Cox
Ms. Johnson
English II
April 7, 2013
Things Fall Apart: Character Analysis Research Paper In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the main character Okonkwo has only one tragic flaw; he has raised himself so that looking weak or effeminate is the worst thing to him that he could do. Okonkwo is a model clansman based on his success. However, he is more alienated from his culture based on his lack of respect for it. In this research paper, I’ll walk through a character analysis of Okonkwo. The protagonist of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is also considered a tragic hero. A tragic hero holds a position of power and prestige, chooses his course of action, possesses a tragic flaw, and gains awareness of circumstances that lead to his fall. Okonkwo 's tragic flaw is his fear of weakness and failure. Throughout his life, he wages a never ending battle for status; his life is dominated by the fear of weakness and failure. He is quick to anger, especially when dealing with men who are weak, lazy debtors like his father. However, Okonkwo overcompensates for his father 's womanly (weak) ways, of which he is ashamed, because he does not tolerate idleness or gentleness. Even though he feels inward affection at times, he never portrays affection toward anyone. Instead, he isolates himself by exhibiting anger through violent, stubborn, irrational behavior. (Cliffnotes.com) Aristotle’s Poetics defines a Tragic Hero as a good man of high status who displays a tragic flaw and experiences a dramatic reversal, as well as an intense moment of recognition. Okonkwo’s fall from grace in the Igbo community and eventual suicide, makes Okonkwo a tragic hero by Aristotle’s definition(123helpme.com). Asthenophobia is the fear of being weak. Phobias arise from a combination of external events “i.e. traumatic events” and internal predispositions “i.e. heredity or genetics”. Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a
Ms. Johnson
English II
April 7, 2013
Things Fall Apart: Character Analysis Research Paper In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the main character Okonkwo has only one tragic flaw; he has raised himself so that looking weak or effeminate is the worst thing to him that he could do. Okonkwo is a model clansman based on his success. However, he is more alienated from his culture based on his lack of respect for it. In this research paper, I’ll walk through a character analysis of Okonkwo. The protagonist of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is also considered a tragic hero. A tragic hero holds a position of power and prestige, chooses his course of action, possesses a tragic flaw, and gains awareness of circumstances that lead to his fall. Okonkwo 's tragic flaw is his fear of weakness and failure. Throughout his life, he wages a never ending battle for status; his life is dominated by the fear of weakness and failure. He is quick to anger, especially when dealing with men who are weak, lazy debtors like his father. However, Okonkwo overcompensates for his father 's womanly (weak) ways, of which he is ashamed, because he does not tolerate idleness or gentleness. Even though he feels inward affection at times, he never portrays affection toward anyone. Instead, he isolates himself by exhibiting anger through violent, stubborn, irrational behavior. (Cliffnotes.com) Aristotle’s Poetics defines a Tragic Hero as a good man of high status who displays a tragic flaw and experiences a dramatic reversal, as well as an intense moment of recognition. Okonkwo’s fall from grace in the Igbo community and eventual suicide, makes Okonkwo a tragic hero by Aristotle’s definition(123helpme.com). Asthenophobia is the fear of being weak. Phobias arise from a combination of external events “i.e. traumatic events” and internal predispositions “i.e. heredity or genetics”. Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a
Cited: Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Fawcett Crest, 1959. Print Cliffnotes. “Character Analysis Okonkwo” Cliffnotes.com. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011. Web. 9 Apr. 2013 Freisen, R Alan. “Okonkwo’s Suicide as an Affirmative Act: Do Things Really Fall Apart?” Postcolonial Text, Vol 2, No 4 (2006). PDF file. "Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe 's Things Fall Apart." 123HelpMe.com. 2000-2011. Web. 9 Apr 2013 "Protagonist in Things Fall Apart" Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 9 Apr. 2013.