Things Fall Apart ; Analysis on Okonkwo

This analysis will attempt to explain how Okonkwo develops themes in the text as a tragic hero, such as culture vs. tradition and fate vs. free will. It will also tend to Achebe's reason of choosing a tragic hero for his protagonist in his colonial counter narrative, thus revealing the purpose of Okonkwo.

To understand how Okonkwo portrays the image of a tragic hero, one must first comprehend its characteristics. A tragic hero is a person of noble character and heroic qualities. He/she , are known to be the protagonist of the story ; commonly found in tragedies. They are fated to destruction and failure by supernatural forces, or God in some cases. However, the initial argument and very essence of a tragic hero is that each and every one of them commit some sort of mistake , perhaps making the wrong decisions, that leads them to their own downfall. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo very much reflects those qualities and actions. His reputation as a fierce  man who acts quickly and endures little  derives from his fear of failure and submission to weaknesses. His loss of high status in the Igbo tribe as well as his suicide both co-exist with Aristotles definition of a tragic hero.

Being recognized as the man who "had brought honour to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat" ; the warrior that never fell, as soon as his character is introduced, pre-defines his reputation which serves to define him. Being a hard worker in terms of growing food and families was highly respected in the Igbo culture , and a huge aspect and purpose of Okonkwos life. His success in growing prosperious farms and marrying several women with children rewards him with several titles and recognition which elevates him from amongst the other clansmen. Although on the surface, Okonwko appeared to be anything but fearful and insecure, it was his one flaw that was planted within the depths of his heart. To turn into a failure like his father, to have the mere resemblance of any of his characteristics which ranged from large amounts of debts to the lack of titles filled him with anguish. Okonkwo did not grow up with a stable father figure, thus eliminating the chances of him growing into someone who can interpret the idea of an honourable man correctly. Perhaps that was why he'd spread power and control , beat his wives and failed to show any major appreciation for anyone in particular. Any type of behaviour that wasnt familiar to him and didnt prove to be of any profit was immediately dismissed. His son, Nwoye suffered greatly under his fathers disappointment and anger towards him of being "degenerate and effeminate", meaning that he wasnt an honest, proper man in Okonkwos eyes. 

Later on when the british colonialists have reached his village and manage to convince people of their religion and lifestyles, Okonkwo feels attacked and alarmed as no one really seems to identify with his strong hatred towards them. He is not familiar with their mentality and therefore rejects it as anything he doesnt know, he fears. And fear is what he tries to avoid which is why he begins to hate the colonialists in every possible way and refuses to further inform himself about them, let alone live beside them in peace. His decision to do so leads him to face rejection of his prior clansmen. He is forced to back out of the situation as the majority did not feel the need to rebel. Okonkwo feels rather betrayed by his own people and doesnt recognize his own village anymore. He also refuses to acknowledge the fact that his very actions had led him to that position of vulnerability and loneliness. He feels misunderstood and as though all his hard work that he had invested in,  the majority of his life , had been down the drain. This chain of events lead to him hanging himself by a tree which serves as the final proof of his role as the tragic hero in Things Fall Apart.