Okonkwo Tragic Hero

Okonkwo’s character almost perfectly fits the definition of what is a tragic character. First, Okonkwo is revered in his culture and he has a high status. He then has a tragic flaw which leads him to his downfall. In Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, he describes Okonkwo as a tragic hero.

Okonkwo has a high status in the culture of the Ibo people throughout the whole novel. Early on in the book, the reader learns that, “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements” (Achebe 3). He grew in status by himself since he did not inherit anything from his father. He became famous when he was young once he threw Amalinze “the cat” in a wrestling match. Additionally, he was known for being very masculine because he ruled his family of three wives and ten children with a heavy hand. Finally, before Okonkwo went into exile, he had earned many titles and was an egwugwu, the spirit of an ancestor.

Okonkwo also had a tragic flaw, which is the main characteristic of tragic heroes.

His flaw is his fear of failure and weakness, which dominated his entire life. Okonkwo feared that he would resemble his father, who was weak, gentle, had no titles, and had many debts. This causes Okonkwo to act with violence and anger is the only emotion he shows. His vicious acts cause him to have conflicts with his family and even Umuofia. For example, he punishes his wife and breaks the week of peace which is important to the traditions of his culture. Next, Okonkwo goes with his clan when Ikemefuna is to be killed as shown by this quote, “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe 61). His last act of violence is when he attempts to instigate war by killing a white court

messenger.
The final characteristic of tragic heroes is that they realise their fatal flaw and eventual downfall which was caused by their own actions. Okonkwo first begins to realize his fate when he returns to a changed Umuofia after his years of exile. First, Okonkwo lost his status as an Egwugwu while he was gone because someone else filled his place. Okonkwo’s return is not how he expected; most of his clan did not even notice him. Although Umuofia was the same place, the new religion, government, and stores kept everyone from noticing him and Okonkwo thought his village was falling apart. Okonkwo believed his village was becoming feminine, which was his greatest fear. He does not agree with the new ways of Umuofia, but the people of his clan did not feel as strongly. At last, Okonkwo discovers his fate after he kills the court messenger, “Okonkwo stood looking at the dead man. He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messengers escape” (Achebe 205). The people of Okonkwo’s clan did not want to go to war and questioned why Okonkwo would kill the messenger. His anger caused him to make a fool of himself so he decides to commit suicide.
In conclusion, Okonkwo was a tragic hero because he was of high status and his fatal flaw which is his fear of weakness causes him to kill himself. Okonkwo started his life successfully and grew into a great man, until his village changed.